Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/45

 the goodwife told it all well and without hitch. Surly John must needs abide the telling of it, but when it was done he said: Well, dame, so it is that I always deemed the lad kenspeckle; and it has moreover turned out as I warned you, that you have got a new master over you. And therewith he turned away; but of those others who heard the tale there were more than one or two who praised it much, and deemed it marvellous as might well be that a child should have faced and slain those three monsters who had put two stout men to flight. And one man made up this stave, which was presently sung all about the Eastern Mote, and went over the water with the tale to the Western one:

To run and to fight Are deeds free to the wight. And John tried in battle Had heard the boards rattle, But needed to prove The race back to the stove; So his wightness he showed In way-wearing the road. While Osberne, who knew How the foot-race to do, Must try the new game Where the battle-beasts came. Bairn for fight, but for running the strong man and tall, And all folk for the laughter when both are in hall.

When Surly John heard this stave he cursed between his teeth, but said nought.

But now on either side the churches fell to ringing to mass, and all folk, fared to service. And