Then they stood up the mast they called a spear, in its socket by my left foot, and I gripped it with my hand; lastly they hung my shield around my neck, and I was all complete and ready to up anchor and get to sea.

Everybody was as good to me as they could be, and a maid of honor gave me the stirrup-cup her own self.

There was nothing more to do now, but for that damsel to get up behind me on a pillion, which she did, and put an arm or so around me to hold on.
And so we started, and everybody gave us a goodbye and waved their handkerchiefs or helmets.

And everybody we met, going down the hill and through the village was respectful to us, except some shabby little boys on the outskirts.

They said: "Oh, what a guy!" And hove clods at us.
In my experience boys are the same in all ages.