'I will neither sell it nor set it free.'
'It is true that a mouse is worth nothing, but rather than see thee defile thyself with touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee three pounds for it.'
'I will not take any price for it. It shall be hanged as it deserves.'
'Willingly, my lord, if it is thy pleasure.' And the priest went his way.
Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse's neck, and was about to draw it tight when a bishop, with a great following and horses bearing huge packs, came by.
'What work art thou upon?' asked the bishop, drawing rein.
'Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me.'
'But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand?' asked the bishop.
'Yes; that is the thief,' answered Manawyddan.
'Well, since I have come at the doom of this reptile, I will ransom it of thee for seven pounds, rather than see a man of thy rank touch it. Loose it, and let it go!'