Sir Hugh he darkly frowned,
"What would you, sir, with me?"
The troubadour he downed
Upon his bended knee.

"I've come, De Peckham Rye,
To do a Christian task;
You ask me what would I?
It is not much I ask.

"Release these maidens, sir,
Whom you dominion o'er--
Particularly her
Upon the second floor.

"And if you don't, my lord"--
He here stood bolt upright,
And tapped a tailor's sword--
"Come out, you cad, and fight!"

Sir Hugh he called--and ran
The warden from the gate:
"Go, show this gentleman
The maid in forty-eight."

By many a cell they past,
And stopped at length before
A portal, bolted fast:
The man unlocked the door.