As to the "sudden death" of which the Litany speaks, if one regards direct evidence only, there may well be a tendency to think the risk of it somewhat exaggerated, but the balance will recover itself if, to the number of travellers who have left us record of their doings, is added that of the dead men who would have told tales if they could. Mile after mile of loneliest road had to be slowly traversed, many a mile through forest where now is open ground, at a time when existed far less force in conventions to restrain those, perhaps even more numerous then than now, like the murderers of Banquo:—
... I am one
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.
... And I another
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune
That I would set my life on any chance
To mend it or to be rid on't.