"In truth I blush that any one so weak and so unworthy as I
should try to teach another that which he finds it so passing
hard to follow himself."
"Prettily said, mon garcon. Touching that same slaying of the
Redeemer, it was a bad business. A good padre in France read to
us from a scroll the whole truth of the matter. The soldiers
came upon him in the garden. In truth, these Apostles of His may
have been holy men, but they were of no great account as
men-at-arms. There was one, indeed, Sir Peter, who smote out
like a true man; but, unless he is belied, he did but clip a
varlet's ear, which was no very knightly deed. By these ten
finger-bones! had I been there with Black Simon of Norwich, and
but one score picked men of the Company, we had held them in
play. Could we do no more, we had at least filled the false
knight, Sir Judas, so full of English arrows that he would curse
the day that ever he came on such an errand."
The young clerk smiled at his companion's earnestness. "Had He
wished help," he said, "He could have summoned legions of
archangels from heaven, so what need had He of your poor bow and
arrow? Besides, bethink you of His own words--that those who
live by the sword shall perish by the sword.
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