Historical Tales, Vol. 4 (of 15) - The Romance of Reality by Charles Morris
page 110 of 314 (35%)
page 110 of 314 (35%)
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"To pray your grace for a longer day," said Sir Richard, humbly.
"Your day is ended; not an hour more do you get," cried the abbot. Sir Richard now appealed to the justice for relief, and after him to the sheriff, but to both in vain. Then, turning to the abbot again, he offered to be his servant, and work for him till the four hundred pounds were earned, if he would take pity on him. This appeal was lost on the merciless churchman. In the end hot words passed, and the abbot angrily exclaimed,-- "Out of my hall, thou false knight! Speed thee out, sirrah!" "Abbot, thou liest, I was never false to my word," said Sir Richard, proudly. "You lack courtesy, to suffer a knight to kneel and beg so long. I am a true knight and a true man, as all who have seen me in tournament or battle will say." "What more will you give the knight for a full release?" asked the justice. "If you give nothing, you will never hold his lands in peace." "A hundred pounds," said the abbot. "Give him two," said the justice. "Not so," cried the knight. "If you make it a thousand more, not a foot of my land shall you ever hold. You have outwitted yourself, master abbot, by your greed." |
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