h hereby, and ye are five and we three; and thou shalt arm thee,
or I will unarm me to my kirtle and my sword, and then let us out on
to the green and fight for the Maiden." The chapman said: "I see thou
wilt take her perforce; so give me her price: but take heed that I
sell her not uncompelled. And thou who hast eaten and drunk with me!"

"I would I might vomit up thy victuals," said the Knight angrily; "for
then I knew not that it was thy wont to carry off free women from
their houses while other folk were fighting. But I will have no more
words with thee, save this, that thou shalt sell me also two of thy
nags, that we may all ride and be away hence the speedier. Ho Robert,
go thou and take two fresh horses of the chapman and saddle them
straightway."

Now the chapman named his price, and it was a big one indeed, no less
than an earl's ransom; but the Blue Knight but nodded his head in
token of yeasay, and the chapman said: "I suppose thou wilt not have
all that gold in thy scrip; but thou mayst take thy bargain away, for
as violently and strifefully as thou hast dealt with me, if thou wilt
send the money in one month's frist to the hostelry of the Wool-pack
in the good town of Westcheaping hard by here, and let thy bearer ask
for Gregory Haslock to give him quittance. But for thine ill-dealings
with me I shall give thee no quittance, but shall watch my turn to do
thee a service."

The Knight said all shortly: "I shall send thy money as thou biddest;"
and then turned away from him, and took the Maiden by the hand and led
her out of the tent, and the Carline followed them. So they gat to
horse and rode their ways. But so it was that the Carline rode the
last of them; and when they were gone but a few yards the chapman ran
to the tent door with a bent bow in his hand and an arrow notched to
the string, and drew on the said Carline, who was but some ten yards
from him by then. But, whether it were the caitiff's evil shooting or
the Carline's wizardry, ye must choose between the two, the arrow flew
wide of the mark, and the Carline laughed merrily as she rode along.
Thus were those two quit of this felon for that time.

Chapter LVI. The Blue Knight Talks with the Maiden by the Way

The Blue Knight rode beside the Maiden, and it could be seen that in
all ways he would take care of her and give her honour; but he was
few-spoken at first, nor for a while had she much mind to speak. But
after a little she looked on