4th Torturer. Yes, for as proud as he can look,
He would have turned another crook,
Had he the rack to-day.
1st Torturer. In faith, sir, since ye called you a king,
You must prove a worthy thing
That falls into the weir.
You must joust in tournament,
But sit you fast, else you'll be shent,[286]
Else down I shall you bear.
2nd Torturer. If thou be God's son, as thou tells,
Thou canst save thyself--how shouldst thou else?
Else were it marvel great;
And canst thou not, we will not trow
What thou has said, but make thee mow
When thou sitt'st in that seat.
3rd Torturer. If thou be king, we shall thanks adylle[287]
For we shall set thee in thy sadylle[288]
For falling be thou bold[289]
I promise thee thou bidest a shaft
If thou sitt'st not well thou hadst better laft[290]
The tales that thou hast told.
4th Torturer. Stand near, fellows, and let us see
How we can horse our king so free
By any craft;
Stand thou yonder on yon side,
And we shall see how he can ride.
And how to wield a shaft.
1st Torturer. Sir, come ye hither, and have done,
And get upon your palfrey soon
For he is ready bowne:[291]
If ye be bound to him be not wroth,
For be ye secure we were full loth
On any wise that ye fell down.
2nd Torturer. Knit thou a knot, with all thy strength
For to draw this arm at length
Till it come to the bore.
3rd Torturer. Thou art mad, man, by this light!
It wants, in each man's sight
Another half span, and more.
4th Torturer. Yet draw out this arm, and make it fast,
With this rope, that well will last,
And each man lay hand to.
1st Torturer. Yes, and bind thou fast that band,
We shall go to that other hand,
And look what we can do.