Guardian: Now I will give you a start: "William
the First as the Conqueror known,
At the Battle of Hastings ascended the throne
..." Say that now.
5th Wrenboy: (Nudging 4th.) Let you word it.
4th Wrenboy: (To Guardian.) Let you word it
again, sir.
Guardian: "William the First as the Conqueror
known."
4th Wrenboy: William the First as the congereel
known....
Guardian: What is that? You would not do
it to vex me! Gillie is maybe right. There is
something strange.... (To another.) You may
try now. Go on to the next verse. "William
called Rufus from having red hair." ...(He does
not answer.) Say it anyone who knows....
3rd Wrenboy: (Putting up his hand.) I know
a man that has red hair!
All the Wrenboys: (Cheerfully) So do I! So
do I!
2nd Wrenboy: He lives in the wood beyond!
He is no way good! He is an Ogre, a Grugach....
1st Wrenboy: He can turn himself into the shape
of a beast, or he can change his face at any time;
sometimes he'll be that wicked you would think
he was a wolf; he would skin you with his cat-o'-nine-tails!