Ralph said to Bull, wrathfully still, but like a man in his wits:
"Why didst thou say that thou wouldest slay her?" "Hast thou
found her?" said Bull. "Nay," quoth Ralph, sullenly. "Well, then,"
said Bull, "when thou dost find her, we will speak of it."
Said Ralph: "Why didst thou say that she hath slain him?"
"I was put out of my wits by the sight of him dead," said Bull;
"But now I say mayhappen she hath slain him."

"And mayhappen not," said Clement; "look here to the cleaving of his skull
right through this iron headpiece, which he will have bought at Cheaping Knowe
(for I have seen suchlike in the armourers' booth there): it must have taken
a strong man to do this."

"Yea," quoth the captain, "and a big sword to boot:
this is the stroke of a strong man wielding a good weapon."

Said Bull: "Well, and will my master bid me forego vengeance
for my brother's slaying, or that I bear him to purse?
Then let him slay me now, for I am his thrall." Said Ralph:
"Thou shalt do as thou wilt herein, and I also will do as I will.
For if she slew him, the taking of her captive should be set
against the slaying." "That is but right," said the captain;
"but Sir Ralph, I bid thee take the word of an old man-at-arms
for it, that she slew him not; neither she, nor any other woman."

Said Clement: "Well, let all this be. But tell me, lord Ralph,
what thou wouldst do, since now thou art come to thyself again?"
Said Ralph: "I would seek the wilderness hereabout, if perchance
the damsel be thrust into some cleft or cavern, alive or dead."