So he stayed and fell to looking wistfully at the gleam and glitter
of those fair things, till one of the aforesaid knaves came to his
side and said:
"Fair Sir, surely thou lackest somewhat; what have we here for
thy needs?" So Ralph thought and called to mind that strong
little steel axe of the man whom he had slain yesterday,
and asked for the sight of such a weapon, if he might perchance
cheapen it. And the lad brought a very goodly steel axe,
gold-inlaid about the shaft, and gave him the price thereof,
which Ralph deemed he might compass; so he brought round
his scrip to his hand, that he might take out the money.
But while his hand was yet in the bag, out comes the master-armourer,
a tall and very stark carle, and said in courteous wise:
"Sir Knight, thou art a stranger to me and I know thee not;
so I must needs ask for a sight of thy license to buy weapons,
under the seal of the Burg."
"Hear a wonder," said Ralph, "that a free man for his money
shall not buy wares set out to be bought, unless he have
the Burg-Reeve's hand and seal for it! Nay, take thy florins,
master, and give me the axe and let the jest end there."
"I jest not, young rider," quoth the armourer. "When we know
thee for a liegeman of the Burg, thou shalt buy what thou wilt
without question; but otherwise I have told thee the law,
and how may I, the master of the craft, break the law?
Be not wrath, fair sir, I will set aside thine axe for thee,
till thou bring me the license, or bid me come see it, and thou
shalt get the said license at the Town Hall straight-way,
when they may certify thee no foeman of the Burg.
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