Whereupon I swore, by the holy Cross at Lucca, that if ever the chance came my way to do a service to Sir Hugh of the Silver Shield, I would travel to the world's end to do it.
"Ten nights ago, I chanced to be riding through a wood somewhere betwixt Worcester and Warwick.

A band of lawless fellows coming by, I and my steed drew off the path, taking cover in a thicket.

But a solitary horseman, riding from Worcester, failed to avoid them.

Within sight of my hiding-place he was set upon, made to dismount, stripped and bidden to return on foot to the place from whence he came.

I could do naught to help him.