But in a while he sat up with a start, and turned about and saw David
standing there with Ralph, and spake at once like a man waking up:
"He that sold thee to me said that thou wert of avail for many things.
Now tell me, what canst thou do?"
Ralph so hated him, that he was of half a mind to answer naught
save by smiting him to slay him; but there was no weapon anigh,
and life was sweet to him with all the tale that was lying ahead.
So he answered coldly: "It is sooth, lord, that I can do more
than one deed."
"Canst thou back a horse?" said the Lord. Said Ralph: "As well as many."
Said the Lord: "Canst thou break a wild horse, and shoe him, and physic him?"
"Not worse than some," said Ralph.
"Can'st thou play with sword and spear?" said the Lord.
"Better than some few," said Ralph. "How shall I know that?" said the Lord.
Said Ralph: "Try me, lord!" Indeed, he half hoped that if it came to that,
he might escape in the hurley.
The Lord looked on him and said: "Well, it may be tried.
But here is a cold and proud answerer, David. I misdoubt me
whether it be worth while bringing him home."
David looked timidly on Ralph and said: "Thou hast paid the price
for him, lord."
"Yea, that is true," said the Lord. "Thou! can'st thou play at the chess?"
"Yea," said Ralph. "Can'st thou music?" said the other. "Yea," said Ralph,
"when I am merry, or whiles indeed when I am sad."
The lord said: "Make thyself merry or sad, which thou wilt;
but sing, or thou shalt be beaten.
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