amond's authentic Sons
present here!--commands, "That they, the said Thirteen, do now
withdraw, and fix upon Three from their own Monastery." A work
soon done; the Three hanging ready round Samson's neck, in that
leather pouch of his. Breaking the seal, we find the names,--
what think _ye_ of it, ye higher dignitaries, thou indolent
Prior, thou Willelmus _Sacrista_ with the red bottle-nose?--the
names, in this order: of Samson _Subsacrista,_ of Roger the
distressed Cellarer, of Hugo _Tertius-Prior._

The higher dignitaries, all omitted here, 'flush suddenly red in
the face;' but have nothing to say. One curious fact and
question certainly is, How Hugo Third-Prior, who was of the
electoral committee, came to nominate _himself_ as one of the
Three? A curious fact, which Hugo Third-Prior has never yet
entirely explained; that I know of!--However, we return, and
report to the King our Three names; merely altering the order;
putting Samson last, as lowest of all. The King, at recitation
of our Three, asks us: "Who are they? Were they born in my
domain? Totally unknown to me! You must nominate three others."
Whereupon Willelmus Sacrista says, "Our Prior must be named,
_quia caput nostrum est,_ being already our head." And the Prior
responds, "Willelmus Sacrista is a fit man, _bonus vir est,"_--
for all his red nose. Tickle me Toby, and I'll tickle thee!
Venerable Dennis too is named; none in his conscience can say
nay. There are now Six on our List. "Well," said the King,
"they have done it swiftly, they! _Deus est cum eis."_ The
Monks withdraw again; and Majesty revolves, for a little, with
his _Pares_ and _Episcopi,_ Lords or _'Law-wards'_* and Soul-
Overseers, the thoughts of the royal breast. The Monks wait
silent in an outer room.

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* or "Lawyers"--digital editor
--------

In short while, they are next ordered, To add yet another three;
but not from their own Convent; from other Convents, "for the
honour of my kingdom." Here,--what is to be done here? We will
demur, if need be! We do name three, however, for the nonce:
the Prior of St. Faith's, a good Monk of St. Neot's, a good Monk
of St. Alban's; good men all; all made abbots and dignitaries
since, at this hour. There are now Nine upon our List. What the
thoughts of the Dominus Rex may be farther? The Dominus Rex,
thanking graciously, sends out word that we shall now strike off
three. The three strangers are instantly