And presently Black Roger spake softly, low-stooping to Beltane's ear: "Lord, we have saved the life of yon prating archer-fellow, and behold my belt lacketh for one notch, which is well.

Now as he watched these busy, skilful fingers he knew a sudden, uneasy qualm, and forthwith spake his thought aloud: "Thy hands are wondroussmall and slender, Sir Fidelis!" "Belike, messire, they shall grow bigger some day.

The Epistle to the Hebrews opens with the words: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," etc.

The "Knight's Tale" and the "Miller's Tale" have filled, and one would think more than filled that short three miles of road, till in the Reve's Prologue the host began "to spake as loudly as a king...." Sey forth thy tale and tarie nat the tyme, Lo, Depeford!

Then Robin turned to the Bishop of Hereford and said, "Was this the man who spake so boldly to Your Lordship?" "Ay, truly it was the same," said the Bishop, "a naughty fellow, I wot.

A right buxom wight was he, comfortable and round, who, though hurried along in the archer's lusty grip, smiled placidly, and spake him sweetly thus: "Hug me not so lovingly, good youth; abate abate thy hold upon my tender nape lest, sweet lad, the holy Saint Amphibalus strike thee deaf, dumb, blind, and latterly, dead.

III He was that God, for man which spake From Sinai forth in thunder; He was that Love, for man which brake The dreadful grave asunder.

"Now when spake I with witch ere this?

Ful wel she sange the servicë devine, Entunëd in hire nose ful swetëly; And Frenche she spake ful fayre and fetisly After the scole of Stratford-attë-Bowe, For Frenche of Paris was to hire unknowe.

And Frenche she spake full fetously; After the schole of Stratforde at Bowe, For Frenche of Paris was to her unknowne.

" Upon this the red knight spake very fiercely, saying: "Messire, what business is that of yours?

In all these things Job sinned not with his lips, ne spake nothing follily against our Lord, but took it all patiently.

" And Edyrn moving frankly forward spake: "My lord Geraint, I greet you with all love; I took you for a bandit knight of Doorm; And fear not, Enid, I should fall upon him, Who love you, Prince, with something of the love

Then, sighing for very gladness, Beltane checked his horse and spake right gleefully: "Light down, light down, good Fidelis; ne'er saw I fairer haven for wearied travellers!

"It ain't bad," spake the blonde woman grudgingly.

"Day dawned, yet the visions lasted; All too weak to rise he lay; Did he dream that none spake harshly, All were strangely kind that day?

" "Nay," spake the young knight hastily, his trouble growing, "I do dread the water!"

Oh, woeful now was the old man's look, And he spake right heavily "Now, Randolph, tell thy tidings, However sharp they be!

But lo! being only man, my Beltane paused and trembled, and dared not touch her, and sinking before her on his knees, spake very humbly and with head low-bowed.

So, presently, Beltane paused, and looking him within the eyes spake hurriedly on this wise: "Most holy father, thou knowest how I have lived within the greenwood all my days nor found it lonely, for I did love it so, that I had thought to die here likewise when my time should come.

" And presently came two armourers with hammers and rivets, and shackled Beltane with heavy chains, the while Sir Pertolepe, sitting near, laughed and spake him right jovially.

For thee, Agesias, is that praise prepared which justly and openly Adrastos spake of old concerning the seer Amphiaraos the son of Oikleus, when the earth had swallowed him and his shining steeds.

"Also this very night I saw one of your noblest members tremble with alarmfor the Society, not for himself, I warrantwhen Gottfried Gottfried spake lightly of your meetings here as of a thing well known.

He stood upon his feet, calling upon damsel, King and barons to hearken to his voice, and spake out manfully in the ears of great and small.

Then up spake the fat Brother more mildly than he had done before.