I fear that Prince Arthur will have troubled times indeed before he mounts the throne of England.

Should Richard survive until he becomes of age to take the field himself and head armies, he may succeed, for all speak well of him as a boy of singular sweetness of disposition, while Prince John is detested by all save those who flatter and live by him.

But enough for the present of politics, Cuthbert; let us now to table.

It is long since we two feasted together; and, indeed, such meals as we took in the Holy Land could scarcely have been called feasts.

A boar's head and a good roasted capon are worthy all the strange dishes that we had there.