BELTANE. "Ha! and what of Walkyn?"
ROGER. "He smiled, master, as I told thee ere this, and when Walkyn smileth it behoveth others to be wary. So now do I tell thee that Walkyn hath taken and burned Duke Ivo's great Castle of Brandonmere, that Winisfarne city hath risen 'gainst the Duke and all the border villages likewise—aha! master, there be scythe-blades and good brown bills a-twinkle all along the marches eager to smite for freedom and Pentavalon when time is ripe!"
BELTANE (rising upon his knees). "Forsooth, is this so? O Roger, is this so in very truth?"
ROGER. "'Tis very truth, master. Upon my sword I swear it!"
BELTANE. "But whence had ye the wondrous news—how—when?"
ROGER. "Master, 'twas three nights agone, as I wrestled prodigiously in prayer on thy behalf, one came to me and spake me many things marvellous good to hear. Moreover, I have met divers folk within the greenwood and upon the forest-road yonder, and with all do I hold converse."
Then to Roger's amaze Beltane rose up, and standing square upon his feet lifted hands and eyes to heaven. "Now glory be to the living God," quoth he, "that hath heard the prayers of such as I. So now do I swear, come life, come death, to walk my appointed way sword in hand, henceforth, nor will I turn aside for man or woman, heeding not the lure of friendship or of love. I do swear never to look upon a woman to love—"
ROGER (fearfully). "Master—master!"
BELTANE. "Nor to suffer woman's love to come 'twixt me and my duty—"
ROGER (despairingly). "O master, swear it not—swear it not—"