"
"With a sorry hack one uses whip and spur, sire," said Chandos;
"but with a horse of blood and spirit a good cavalier is gentle
and soothing, coaxing rather than forcing. These folk are
strange people, and you must hold their love, even as you have it
now, for you will get from their kindness what all the pennons in
your army could not wring from them."
"You are over-grave to-day, John," the prince answered. "We may
keep such questions for our council-chamber. But how now, my
brothers of Spain, and of Majorca, what think you of this
challenge?"
"I look to see some handsome joisting," said Don Pedro, who rode
with the King of Majorca upon the right of the prince, while
Chandos was on the left. "By St. James of Compostella! but these
burghers would bear some taxing. See to the broadcloth and
velvet that the rogues bear upon their backs! By my troth! if
they were my subjects they would be glad enough to wear falding
and leather ere I had done with them. But mayhap it is best to
let the wool grow long ere you clip it."
"It is our pride," the prince answered coldly, "that we rule over
freemen and not slaves.
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