SIR PALAMON: Ignorant grub! Am I less than base hangman--I, a knight--
ROBIN: True, Sir Knight, thou'rt a knight for no reason but that thou art knight born and thus, by nought but being born, hath won to thyself nobility, riches and honours such as no man may win either by courage, skill, or learning, since highborn fool and noble rogue do rank high 'bove such. So _thou_ art knight, Sir Knight, and for thy knighthood, thy lineage lofty, thy manors many, mulcted thou shalt be in noble fashion. For thy manhood I assess thee at one gold piece, but, since thou'rt son o' thy dam (whom the Saints pity!) we do fine thee five thousand gold pieces--thy body ours until the purchase made. Away with him, lads; cherish him kindly, unarm him gently, and set him a-grinding corn till his ransom be paid--away!
Now here was mighty roar of laughter and acclaim from all who heard, only Sir Palamon scowled, and, for once mute and tongue-tied, was led incontinent away to his labours.
"And now, brother," quoth Robin, turning where Jocelyn stood smiling and merry-eyed, "what o' this armour dost seek, and wherefore?"
"Art a lovely robber, Robin," said he; "a very various rogue, yet no rogue born, methinks!"
"I was not always outlaw, brother--howbeit, what would a Fool with horse and knightly arms?"
Now Jocelyn, bending close, whispered somewhatin Robin's ear, whereon he clapped hand to thigh, and laughed and laughed until the air rang again.
"Oho, a jape--a jape indeed!" he roared. "O lovely brother, to see proud knight unhorsed by prancing motley Fool! Hey, how my heart doth jump for gladness! An thou wilt a-tilting ride, I will squire thee--a Fool of a knight tended by Rogue of a squire. O, rare--aha! oho! Come thy ways, sweet brother, and let us set about this joyous jape forthwith!"
And thus it was that, as evening fell, there rode, through bowery bracken and grassy glade, two horsemen full blithe and merry, and the setting sun flashed back in glory from their glittering armour.
How Red Gui sore smitten was in fight By motley Fool in borrowed armour dight.
Now shrill tucket and clarion, trumpet and horn With their cheery summons saluted the morn, Where the sun, in his splendour but newly put on, Still more splendid made pennon and brave gonfalon That with banners and pennoncelles fluttered and flew High o'er tent and pavilion of every hue. For the lists were placed here, for the tournament set, Where already a bustling concourse was met; Here were poor folk and rich folk, lord, lady and squire, Clad in leather, in cloth and in silken attire; Here folk pushed and folk jostled, as people still do When the sitters be many, the seats scant and few; Here was babble of voices and merry uproar, For while some folk laughed loud, some lost tempers and swore. Until on a sudden this tumult and riot Was hushed to a murmur that sank into quiet As forth into the lists, stern of air, grave of face, Five fine heralds, with tabard and trumpet, did pace With their Lion-at-arms, or Chief Herald, before; And a look most portentous this Chief Herald wore, And, though portly his shape and a little too round, Sure a haughtier Chief Herald could nowhere be found. So aloof was his look and so grave his demeanour, Humble folk grew abashed, and mean folk felt the meaner; When once more the loud clarions had all echoes woke This Chief Herald in voice deep and sonorous spoke: