Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 7, 2025
"Par Dex!" he broke off, "here is a right good song for thee, trolled forth upon this balmy-breathing morn sweet as any merle; a song for thee and me to sing to our children one day, mayhap so come, rejoice, my rueful Rogerkin smile, for to-day I sing and Garthlaxton is ablaze." "And my master grieveth for a Fool!" growled sulky Roger, "and twenty and two good men slain."
"On, then!" cried Walkyn, his glittering axe aloft. "To Garthlaxton!" Then from an hundred brawny throats a roar went up to heaven, a cry that hissed through clenched teeth and rang from eager lips, wilder, fiercer than before. And the cry was: "Garthlaxton!"
Yet for thy behoof my song shall be ended, thus: "They gave Garthlaxton to the flame, Be glory to Duke Beltane's name, And unto lusty Giles the same, Dixit!"
Now as Beltane lay helpless in his bonds he felt a hand among his hair, a strong hand that lifted his heavy, drooping head and turned up his face to the glare of the torches. "How now, Fool!" cried a gruff voice, "here's not thy meat ha, what would ye what would ye, Fool?" "Look upon another fool, for fool, forsooth, is he methinks that cometh so into Garthlaxton Keep."
"Less," quoth Roger; "Garthlaxton is so strong a score of men have held it ere now. 'Tis accounted the strongest castle in all the Duchy, save only Thrasfordham." "Truly 'tis very strong!" said Beltane thoughtfully, and lying down again he closed his eyes and spake slow and drowsily "Aye, 'tis so strong, its garrison, being secure, should sleep sound o' nights.
"Verily, good Roger, for here and now will I make a song on't for souls unborn to sing a good song with a lilt to trip it lightly on the tongue, as thus: "How Beltane burned Garthlaxton low With lusty Giles, whose good yew bow Sped many a caitiff rogue, I trow, Dixit!" "How!" exclaimed Roger, "here be two whole lines to thy knavish self and but one to our master?"
"Know then, Sir Fidelis, that upon our wedding-eve I was by her command struck down within the chapel upon the very altar, and by her borne in bonds unto Garthlaxton Keep a present to mine enemy, Duke Ivo " "O, 'tis a lie O dear my lord 'tis lie most foul !" "In witness whereof behold upon my wrists the shameful irons from my dungeon "
"Come you then from Garthlaxton?" quoth Beltane, frowning. "Aye, lord. For, see you, 'twas market day, so went I to one I know that is a swineherd, a trusty fellow that bringeth hogs each week unto Garthlaxton. So did we change habits and went to Garthlaxton together, driving the hogs before us.
Now when he said this, Black Roger stared agape and even the archer's tongue failed him for once; but Walkyn smiled and gripped his axe. "Art mad, tall brother!" cried Giles at length, "Sir Pertolepe would hang thee out of hand, or throw thee to his dogs!" "Lord," said Roger, "Sir Pertolepe hath ten score men-at-arms in Garthlaxton, beside bowmen and foresters."
Then spake Beltane to the shrinking women, yet even so his blue eyes looked upon none of them. Quoth he: "Ye are free to go whither ye will. Take what ye will, none shall gainsay you, but get you gone within this hour, for in the hour Garthlaxton shall be no more." Then beckoning Walkyn he bade him choose six men, and turning to the women
Word Of The Day
Others Looking