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How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
"ButshallInotsendthyhorsetostable?"saidtheporter."ByOurLady,itisthenoblestnag,andthebestharnessed,thate’erIsawinallmylifebefore."Andhestrokedthehorse’sflankwithhispalm.
"Nay,"quothSirRichard,"thestablesofthisplacearenotforme,somakeway,Iprythee."Sosaying,hepushedforward,and,thegatesbeingopened,heenteredthestonycourtyardofthePriory,hismenbehindhim.Intheycamewithrattleofsteelandclashingofswords,andringofhorses’feetoncobblestones,whereataflockofpigeonsthatstruttedinthesunflewwithflappingwingstothehigheavesoftheroundtowers.
WhiletheKnightwasridingalongthecausewaytoEmmet,amerryfeastwastowardintherefectorythere.Theafternoonsunstreamedinthroughthegreatarchedwindowsandlayinbroadsquaresoflightuponthestonefloorandacrosstheboardcoveredwithasnowylinencloth,whereonwasspreadaprincelyfeast.AttheheadofthetablesatPriorVincentofEmmetallcladinsoftrobesoffineclothandsilk;onhisheadwasablackvelvetcappickedoutwithgold,andaroundhisneckhungaheavychainofgold,withagreatlocketpendanttherefrom.Besidehim,onthearmofhisgreatchair,roostedhisfavoritefalcon,forthePriorwasfondofthegentlecraftofhawking.OnhisrighthandsattheSheriffofNottinghaminrichrobesofpurplealltrimmedaboutwithfur,andonhisleftafamousdoctoroflawindarkandsobergarb.
