Therefore, if ye are thinking to lay some new tax or tale upon us,
think twice of it, for we may not bear it. And all this I say with
the less fear, because I perceive this man here beside me, in the
black velvet jerkin and the gold chain on his neck, is the King; nor
do I think he will slay me for my word since he hath so many a Turk
before him and his mighty sword!"
Then said the captain: "Shall I smite the man, O King? or hath he
preached thy sermon for thee?"
"Smite not, for he hath preached it," said the King. "Hearken to the
carle's sermon, lords and councillors of mine! Yet when another hath
spoken our thought, other thoughts are born therefrom, and now have I
another sermon to preach; but I will refrain me as now. Let us down
and to our dinner."
So they went, the King and his gentles, and sat down by the river
under the rustle of the poplars, and they ate and drank and were
merry. And the King bade bear up the broken meats to the
vine-dressers, and a good draught of the archer's wine, and to the
headman he gave a broad gold piece, and to each man three silver
pennies.
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