Wayland had just time to caution the lady not to be alarmed, adding,

"This fellow is a gull, and I will use him as such."

When the mercer had recovered breath and audacity enough to confront

them, he ordered Wayland, in a menacing tone, to deliver up his palfrey.

"How?" said the smith, in King Cambyses' vein, "are we commanded to

stand and deliver on the king's highway? Then out, Excalibur, and tell

this knight of prowess that dire blows must decide between us!"

"Haro and help, and hue and cry, every true man!" said the mercer. "I am

withstood in seeking to recover mine own."

"Thou swearest thy gods in vain, foul paynim," said Wayland, "for I

will through with mine purpose were death at the end on't. Nevertheless,

know, thou false man of frail cambric and ferrateen, that I am he, even

the pedlar, whom thou didst boast to meet on Maiden Castle moor, and

despoil of his pack; wherefore betake thee to thy weapons presently."

"I spoke but in jest, man," said Goldthred; "I am an honest shopkeeper

and citizen, who scorns to leap forth on any man from behind a hedge."

"Then, by my faith, most puissant mercer," answered Wayland, "I am sorry

for my vow, which was, that wherever I met thee I would despoil thee of

thy palfrey, and bestow it upon my leman, unless thou couldst defend it

by blows of force. But the vow is passed and registered, and all I

can do for thee is to leave the horse at Donnington, in the nearest

hostelry."

"But I tell thee, friend," said the mercer, "it is the very horse on

which I was this day to carry Jane Thackham, of Shottesbrok, as far as

the parish church yonder, to become Dame Goldthred. She hath jumped out

of the shot-window of old Gaffer Thackham's grange; and lo ye, yonder

she stands at the place where she should have met the palfrey, with

her camlet riding-cloak and ivory-handled whip, like a picture of Lot's

wife. I pray you, in good terms, let me have back the palfrey."

"Grieved am I," said Wayland, "as much for the fair damsel as for thee,

most noble imp of muslin. But vows must have their course; thou wilt

find the palfrey at the Angel yonder at Donnington. It is all I may do

for thee with a safe conscience."

"To the devil with thy conscience!" said the dismayed mercer. "Wouldst

thou have a bride walk to church on foot?"




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