Lo, he is trapped in the snare which he laid for the guiltless." "I scarce ever saw the man," said the smith.

"I never did wrong to him or his.

Ask him, an it please your reverence, why he should have thought of slaying me treacherously." "It is a fitting question," answered the prior.

"Give glory where it is due, my son, even though it is manifested by thy shame.

For what reason wouldst thou have waylaid this armourer, who says he never wronged thee ?" "He had wronged him whom I served," answered Bonthron, "and I meditated the deed by his command." "By whose command ?" asked the prior.
Bonthron was silent for an instant, then growled out: "He is too mighty for me to name." "Hearken, my son," said the churchman; "tarry but a brief hour, and the mighty and the mean of this earth shall to thee alike be empty sounds.
The sledge is even now preparing to drag thee to the place of execution.
Therefore, son, once more I charge thee to consult thy soul's weal by glorifying Heaven, and speaking the truth.