hee with making so long a
tale of my friends of the past days; but needs must I tell thee
somewhat of them, lest thou love that which is not. Since truly it is
myself that I would have thee to love, and none other.

"Many folk gathered to us as we rode our ways to a town which was my
lord's own, and where all men were his friends, so that we came there
with a great host and sat down there in no fear of what the king might
do against us. There was I duly wedded to my lord by a Bishop of Holy
Church, and made his Lady and Queen; for even so he would have it.

"And now began the sore troubles of that land, which had been once so
peaceful and happy; the tale whereof I may one day tell thee; or rather
many tales of what befell me therein; but not now; for the day weareth;
and I still have certain things that I must needs tell thee.

"We waged war against each other, my lord and the king, and whiles one,
and whiles the other overcame. Either side belike deemed that one
battle or two would end the strife; but so it was not, but it endured
year after year, till fighting became the chief business of all in the
land.

"As for me, I had many tribulations. Thrice I fled from the stricken
field with my lord to hide in some stronghold of the mountains. Once
was I taken of the foemen in the town where I abode when my lord was
away from me, and a huge slaughter of innocent folk was made, and I was
cast into prison and chains, after I had seen my son that I had borne
to my lord slain before mine eyes. At last we were driven clean out of
the Kingdom of the Tower, and abode a long while, some two years, in
the wilderness, living like outlaws and wolves' heads, and lifting the
spoil for our livelihood. Forsooth of all the years that I abode about
the Land of Tower those were the happiest. For we robbed no poor folk
and needy, but rewarded them rather, and drave the spoil from rich men
and lords, and hard-hearted chapmen-folk: we ravished no maid of the
tillers, we burned no cot, and taxed no husbandman's croft or acre, but
defended them from their tyrants. Nevertheless we gat an ill name wide
about through the kingdoms and cities; and were devils and witches to
the boot of thieves and robbers in the mouths of these men; for when
the rich man is hurt his wail goeth heavens high, and none may say he
heareth not.

"Now it was at this time that I first fell in with the Champions of the
Dry Tree; for they became our fellows and br