Six months was I besieged in a town whither
naught led me but ill-luck. Two days I wore in running thence,
having scaled the wall and swam the ditch in the night.
Three months I served squire to a knight who gave me the business
of watching his wife of whom he was jealous; and to help me
out of the weariness of his house I must needs make love myself
to the said wife, who sooth to say was perchance worth it.
Thence again I went by night and cloud. Ten months I wore
away at the edge of the wildwood, and sometimes in it,
with a sort of fellows who taught me many things, but not how
to keep my hands from other men's goods when I was hungry.
There was I taken with some five others by certain sergeants
of Higham, whom the warriors of the town had sent out cautiously
to see if they might catch a few men for their ranks.
Well, they gave me the choice of the gallows-tree or service
for the Church, and so, my choice made, there have I been
ever since, till I saw thy face this evening, fair sir."
"Well, brother," said Ralph, "all that shall be amended, and thou shalt
back to Upmeads with me. Yet wert thou to amend thyself somewhat,
it might not be ill."
Quoth Hugh: "It shall be tried, brother. But may I ask thee somewhat?"
Said Ralph: "Ask on." "Fair Sir," said Hugh, "thou seemedst grown
into a pretty man when I saw thee e'en-now before this twilight
made us all alike; but the men at thy back are not wont to be led
by men who have not earned a warrior's name, yet they follow thee:
how cometh that about? Again, before the twilight gathered I saw the woman
that rideth anigh us (who is now but a shadow) how fair and gentle she is:
indeed there is no marvel in her following thee (though if she be an earl's
daughter she is a fair getting for an imp of Upmeads), for thou art
a well shapen lad, little lord, and carriest a sweet tongue in thy mouth.
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