As for their women they are brought hither and sold at the market-cross to the highest bidder.

And this honour they have, that such of them as be fair, and that is the more part of the younger ones, fetch no ill penny.

Yet for my part I were loth to cheapen such wares: for they make but evil servants, being proud, and not abiding stripes lightly, or toiling the harder for them; and they be somewhat too handy with the knife if they deem themselves put upon.

Speak I sooth, my masters ?" quoth he, turning toward them of the town.
Said a burgher somewhat stricken in years, "Nought but sooth; peaceable men like to me eschew such servants; all the more because of this, that if one of these queens misbehave with the knife, or strayeth from her master's bed, the laws of the Burg meddle not therein.

For the wise men say that such folk are no more within the law than kine be, and may not for their deeds be brought before leet or assize any more than kine.