I use incantations myself, as this good brotherhood are aware--but only on occasions of moment." When it comes to sarcasming, I reckon I know how to keep my end up.
That jab made this fellow squirm.

The abbot inquired after the queen and the court, and got this information: "They be all on sleep, being overcome by fatigue, like as to the king." I said: "That is merely another lie.

Half of them are about their amusements, the queen and the other half are not sleeping, they ride.

Now perhaps you can spread yourself a little, and tell us where the king and queen and all that are this moment riding with them are going ?" "They sleep now, as I said; but on the morrow they will ride, for they go a journey toward the sea." "And where will they be the day after to-morrow at vespers ?" "Far to the north of Camelot, and half their journey will be done." "That is another lie, by the space of a hundred and fifty miles.
Their journey will not be merely half done, it will be all done, and they will be _here_, in this valley." _That_ was a noble shot! It set the abbot and the monks in a whirl of excitement, and it rocked the enchanter to his base.

I followed the thing right up: "If the king does not arrive, I will have myself ridden on a rail: if he does I will ride you on a rail instead." Next day I went up to the telephone office and found that the king had passed through two towns that were on the line.