John's by the Bridge had given him
(for he had been sleeping thereon amidst the grass of his orchard after
his dinner) and he went into the hall of his house, which was called
the High House of Upmeads, and sent for his four sons to come to him.
And they came and stood before his high-seat and he said:
"Sons, ye have long wearied me with words concerning your longing
for travel on the roads; now if ye verily wish to be gone,
tell me when would ye take your departure if ye had your choice?"
They looked at one another, and the three younger ones nodded
at Blaise the eldest: so he began, and said: "Saving the love
and honour that we have for thee, and also for our mother, we would
be gone at once, even with the noon's meat still in our bellies.
But thou art the lord in this land, and thou must rule.
Have I said well, brethren?" And they all said "Yea, yea."
Then said the king; "Good! now is the sun high and hot;
yet if ye ride softly ye may come to some good harbour
before nightfall without foundering your horses.
So come ye in an hour's space to the Four-want-way, and there
and then will I order your departure."
The young men were full of joy when they heard his word; and they
departed and went this way and that, gathering such small matters as
each deemed that he needed, and which he might lightly carry with him;
then they armed themselves, and would bid the squires bring them
their horses; but men told them that the said squires had gone
their ways already to the Want-way by the king's commandment:
so thither they went at once a-foot all four in company,
laughing and talking together merrily.
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