Wherefore now, ye broken reivers of the Dry Tree, ye silly
shepherds of silly sheep, ye weavers and apprentices of Wulstead,
and if there by any more, ye fools! we give you two choices this morn.
Either come down to us into the meadow yonder, that we may slay
you with less labour, or else, which will be the better for you,
give up to us the Upmeads thralls who be with you, and then turn
your faces and go back to your houses, and abide there till we
come and pull you out of them, which may be some while yet.
Hah! what say ye, fools?"
Then spake Clement and said: "Ye messengers of the robbers and oppressors,
why make ye this roaring to the common people and the sergeants?
Why speak ye not with our Captain?"
Cried out the challenger, "Where then is the Captain of the Fools?
is he hidden? can he hear my word?"
Scarce was it out of his mouth ere the captains fell away
to right and left, and there, standing by himself, was Ralph,
holding the ancient lettered war-staff; his head was bare,
for now he had done off his sallet, and the sun and the wind
played in his bright hair; glorious was his face, and his grey
eyes gleamed with wrath and mastery as he spake in a clear voice,
and there was silence all along the ranks to hearken him:
"O messenger of the robbers! I am the captain of this folk.
I see that the voice hath died away within the jaws of you;
but it matters not, for I have heard thy windy talk, and this
is the answer: we will neither depart, nor come down to you,
but will abide our death by your hands here on this hill-side.
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