"Who are you who walk so freely through the wood?
Whither would you go, and what is your errand ?" "Why should I answer your questions, my friend ?" said Alleyne, standing on his guard.
"Because your tongue may save your pate.

But where have I looked upon your face before ?" "No longer ago than last night at the 'Pied Merlin,'" the clerk answered, recognizing the escaped serf who had been so outspoken as to his wrongs.
"By the Virgin! yes.

You were the little clerk who sat so mum in the corner, and then cried fy on the gleeman.

What hast in the scrip ?" "Naught of any price." "How can I tell that, clerk?
Let me see." "Not I." "Fool! I could pull you limb from limb like a pullet.

What would you have?
Hast forgot that we are alone far from all men?
How can your clerkship help you?
Wouldst lose scrip and life too ?" "I will part with neither without fight." "A fight, quotha?
A fight betwixt spurred cock and new hatched chicken! Thy fighting days may soon be over." "Hadst asked me in the name of charity I would have given freely," cried Alleyne.