In that forest had King Peter's father died in battle,
and his eldest son also; therefore, being a man of peace,
he rode therein but seldom, though his sons, the three eldest
of them, had both ridden therein and ran therefrom valiantly.
As for Ralph the youngest, his father would not have him ride
the Wood Debateable as yet.
So came those young men to the Want-ways, and found their father
sitting there on a heap of stones, and over against him eight horses,
four destriers, and four hackneys, and four squires withal.
So they came and stood before their father, waiting for his word,
and wondering what it would be.
Now spake King Peter: "Fair sons, ye would go on all adventure to seek
a wider land, and a more stirring life than ye may get of me at home:
so be it! But I have bethought me, that, since I am growing old
and past the age of getting children, one of you, my sons, must abide
at home to cherish me and your mother, and to lead our carles in war
if trouble falleth upon us. Now I know not how to choose by mine own
wit which of you shall ride and which abide. For so it is that ye are
diverse of your conditions; but the evil conditions which one of you
lacks the other hath, and the valiancy which one hath, the other lacks.
Blaise is wise and prudent, but no great man of his hands.
Hugh is a stout rider and lifter, but headstrong and foolhardy,
and over bounteous a skinker; and Gregory is courteous and many worded,
but sluggish in deed; though I will not call him a dastard.
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