The monastery; The abbot.

THE ABBOT. 391
you will not unsheath it until you are commandedyby your rightful Sovereign.
For your warmth of temper is known, and the presumption with which you.
intrude yourself into the quarrels of others; and, therefore, this is laid upon
you as a penance by those who wish you well, and whose hand will influence
your destiny for good or for evil. This is what I was charged to tell you.
So if you will give a fair word for a fair sword, and pledge your promise,
with hand and glove, good and well; and if not, I will carry back Caliburn
to those who sent it."
"And may I not ask who these are?" said Roland Graeme, admiring at
the same time the beauty of the weapon thus offered him.
" My commission in no way leads me to answer such a question," said he
of the purple mantle.
"But if I am offended," said Roland, "may I not draw to defend myself?"
" Not this weapon," answered the.sword-bearer; "but you have your own
at command, and, besides, for what do you wear your poniard?"
" For no good," said Adam Woodcock, who had now approached close to
them, " and that I can witness as well as any one."
"Stand back, fellow," said the messenger, "thou hast an intrusive
curious face, that will come by a buffet if it is found where it has no
concern."
"A buffet, my young Master Malapert?" said Adam, drawing back,
however; " best keep down fist, or, by Our Lady, buffet will beget buffet!"
" Be patient, Adam Woodcock," said Roland Greme; " and let me pray
you, fair sir, since by such addition you choose for the present to be addressed,
may I not barely unsheathe this fair weapon, in pure simplicity of desire
to know whether so fair a hilt and scabbard are matched with a befitting
blade?"
"By no manner of means," said the messenger; "at a word, you must
take it under the promise that you never draw it until you receive the commands of your lawful Sovereign, or you must leave it alone."
" Under that condition, and coming from your friendly hand, I accept.of
the sword," said Roland, taking it from his hand; "but credit me, if we
are to work together in any weighty emprise, as I am induced to believe,
some confidence aDnd openness on your part will be necessary to give the
right impulse to my zeal-I press for no more at present, it is enough that
you understand me."
" I understand you!" said the page, exhibiting the appearance of unfeigned
surprise in his turn, - " Renounce me if I do - here you stand jiggeting,
and sniggling, and looking cunning, as if there were some mighty matter
of intrigue and common understanding betwixt you and me, whom you
never set your eyes on before!"
" What " said Roland Grseme, "will you deny that we have met
before?"
" Marry that I will, in any Christian court," said the other page.
"And will you also deny," said Roland, "that it was recommended to us
to study each other's features well, that in whatever disguise the time might
impose upon us, each should recognize in the other the secret agent of a
mighty work? Do not you remember, that Sister Magdalen and Dame
Bridget"The messenger here interrupted him, shrugging up his shoulders, with a
look of compassion, "Bridget and Magdalen! why, this is madness and
dreaming! Hlark ye, Master Holly-top, your wits are gone on wool-gather
ing; comfort yourself with a candle, and thatch your brain-sick noddle with
a woollen night-cap, and so God be with you!"
As he concluded this polite parting address, Adam Woodcock, who was
again seated by the table on which stood the now empty can, said to him,
"Will you drink a cup, young man, in the way of courtesy, now you have