I myself, an esquire of Sir Henry Percy, was staying as a guest with Sir Edmund--who is, as you know, my lord's brother-in-law--and I volunteered to carry it, being anxious to have an opportunity of doing service to the king." "It was a bold offer, young man, and doubtless, when you made it, you were scarce aware how dangerous was the business that you undertook.
Did I think that it would be of any use, I would furnish you with twenty men-at-arms to ride with you; but I know that such a force would, in no way, add to your safety.

You might get as far as Llanidloes, or Llanfair, whichever route you might choose, though I think not that you would do so; but beyond that, it would be hopeless for any force, of less than five hundred good fighting men, to attempt to make their way through.
"From what I hear, there are at least fifteen thousand Welshmen in arms.

Many, doubtless, are with Glendower himself.

The rest will be scattered among the hills, ready to pounce upon any party who may be moving up the valleys to join the king; and there are plenty of places where a couple of hundred men could check the advance of an army." "Then it is all the more necessary, sir, that we should trust to good fortune, and to making our way unseen.

May I pray you to take care of our horses, till we return to claim them?
Should we never do so, there are doubtless many upon whom you could bestow them; and they are both rarely good animals, for one was presented to me by Sir Henry Percy, and the other by Sir Edmund Mortimer." "I will take care of them, willingly.