"
Ralph looked down and beheld the folk parting to right and left,
and a lane made amidst the throng, guarded by men-at-arms mingled
with the cross-bearers and brethren; and the sound of trumpets
blared forth over the noises of the throng.
"If the lord Abbot cometh," said Ralph, "I were fain of his blessing
to-night before I sleep: so go we down straightway that I may kneel
before him with the rest."
"What!" said the monk, "Wilt thou, my lord, kneel amongst all these burgesses
and vavassors when thou mightest see the Abbot in his own chamber face to face
alone with him?"
"Father," said Ralph, "I am no great man, and I must needs depart
betimes to-morrow; for I perceive that here are things too mighty
and over-mastering for such as I be."
"Well," said the monk, "yet mayst thou come back again;
so at present I will make no more words about it."
So they went down, and came out amidst the throng, above which
the bale still flared high, making the summer night as light as day.
The brother made way for Ralph, so that they stood in the front
row of folk: they had not been there one minute ere they
heard the sound of the brethren singing, and the Abbot
came forth out of the lane that went down to the gate.
Then all folk went down upon their knees, and thus abode him.
Right so Ralph deemed that he felt some one pull his sleeve,
but in such a throng that was nought of a wonder; howbeit, he turned
and looked to his left, whence came the tug, and saw kneeling beside
him a tall man-at-arms, who bore a sallet on his head in such
wise that it covered all his face save the point of his chin.
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