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?"