"We waged war against each other, my lord and the king,
and whiles one, and whiles the other overcame. Either side
belike deemed that one battle or two would end the strife;
but so it was not, but it endured year after year, till fighting
became the chief business of all in the land.
"As for me, I had many tribulations. Thrice I fled from the stricken
field with my lord to hide in some stronghold of the mountains.
Once was I taken of the foemen in the town where I abode when my
lord was away from me, and a huge slaughter of innocent folk
was made, and I was cast into prison and chains, after I had seen
my son that I had borne to my lord slain before mine eyes.
At last we were driven clean out of the Kingdom of the Tower,
and abode a long while, some two years, in the wilderness,
living like outlaws and wolves' heads, and lifting the spoil
for our livelihood. Forsooth of all the years that I
abode about the Land of Tower those were the happiest.
For we robbed no poor folk and needy, but rewarded them rather,
and drave the spoil from rich men and lords, and hard-hearted
chapmen-folk: we ravished no maid of the tillers, we burned no cot,
and taxed no husbandman's croft or acre, but defended them
from their tyrants. Nevertheless we gat an ill name wide about
through the kingdoms and cities; and were devils and witches
to the boot of thieves and robbers in the mouths of these men;
for when the rich man is hurt his wail goeth heavens high,
and none may say he heareth not.
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