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"Hilloa," quoth he, "what art thou doing here, thou naughty fellow? Who art thou that comest ranging Sherwood's paths? In very sooth thou hast an evil cast of countenance, and I do think, truly, that thou art no better than a thief, and comest after our good King's deer."
"Yea, in good sooth," said he, "I wot that thou canst see the story of things before they fall." She laughed and said: "But all this that hath befallen since I set out to meet thee at the Castle of Abundance I foresaw not, any more than I can foresee to-morrow. Only I knew that we must needs pass by the place whereto I shall now lead thee, and I made provision there.
Sooth to say, he is little like to quarrel with either thee or me for setting a fair woman other than thee by his side." Therewith she lifted the tent lap and went out, stepping daintily, and her slender body swaying like a willow branch, and came at once face to face with the Lord of Utterbol, and bowed low and humbly before him, though her face, unseen of him, smiled mockingly.
"Nay, good gossip," replied the bonnet maker, "thou knowest I am never afraid. But, in sooth, this is a desperate ruffian; and as I have a wife poor Maudie, thou knowest and a small family, and thou " "And I," interrupted Henry, hastily, "have none, and never shall have." "Why, truly, such being the case, I would rather thou fought'st this combat than I."
"'Tis a fair match, how think you, Sir Jocelyn?" said the Duke, and turned him to one who rode at his elbow; a youthful, slender figure with long curled hair and sleepy eyes, "a fair match, Sir Jocelyn?" "In very sooth, sweet my lord, gramercy and by your gracious leave not so," sighed Sir Jocelyn.
"Well well well!" she cried, holding up her fat hands in mock amazement. "Out upon thee, Polly, for a light-headed wench! What sneaking out to an early tryst! Fie, girl!" "Now, good mine aunt," Phoebe broke in, with a smile and a curtsey, "no tryst have I kept, in sooth. Sir Guy is my witness that he found me quite by chance."
She vouchsafing no answer, aroused his suspicion. "'Sdeath! what ails thy tongue? Haste thee, what is his name?" and he glared at her, furiously, 'til she was well nigh cold with fright. "Sooth, thou art strong with temper for the very meagre cause a maiden will not bewray a poor man's name."
He was in case to bring even that about. And tell me this in good sooth, that I may know for a surety: did he take thy black ship from thee perforce against thy will? or didst thou give it him of free will at his entreaty? Then Noemon, son of Phromius, answered him saying: 'I gave it him myself of free will.
But if it is sooth that men say, as people it tell, that the Romanish people are so fierce, and are so bold, and so mischievous, that they will now come into our land, we shall prepare for them rueful tales; their fierceness shall turn to themselves to sorrow. For never loved I long peace in my land; for through peace we are bound, and well nigh all in swoon."
The captain broke in on him grimly, "Thou wert best not lie." "Yea, sir," quoth Roger, "I deemed, as it was on my tongue's end, that thou wouldst find me out, so I have nought to do but tell thee the very sooth: this it is: I am a man made masterless by the thieves of the Dry Tree.
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