all newly dight and hung with rich arras of the Story of Hercules;
and there was a goodly cupboard of silver vessel, and some gold,
and the cupboard was of five shelves as was but meet for a king's son.
So Ralph praised all, but was wishful to depart, for his heart was sore,
and he blamed himself in a manner that he must needs lie to his brother.

But Blaise brought them to the upper chamber, and showed them the goodly
beds with their cloths, and hangings, and all was as fair as might be.
Then Blaise bade bring wine and made them drink; and he gave Ralph
a purse of gold, and an anlace very fair of fashion, and brought
him to the door thereafter; and Ralph cast his arms about him,
and kissed him and strained him to his breast. But Blaise was somewhat
moved thereat, and said to him: "Why lad, thou art sorry to depart
from me for a little while, and what would it be, were it for long?
But ever wert thou a kind and tender-hearted youngling, and we twain
are alone in an alien land. Forsooth, I wot that thou hast, as it were,
embraced the Upmeads kindred, father, mother and all; and good is that!
So now God and the Saints keep thee, and bear in mind the hosting of the
good town, and the raising of the banner, that shall be no great while.
Fare thee well, lad!"

So they parted, and Ralph went back to the hostel, and gathered
his stuff together, and laid it on a sumpter horse, and armed him,
and so went into Petergate to join himself to that company.
There he found the chapmen, five of them in all, and their lads,
and a score of men-at-arms, with whom was Clement, not clad
like a merchant, but weaponed, and bearing a coat of proof
and a bright sallet on his head.

They greeted each the other, and Ralph said: "Yea, master Clement,