Opposite to him, and within the due reach
for a blow, stood King Richard, his large person wrapt in the
folds of his camiscia, or ample gown of linen, except where the
violence of his action had flung the covering from his right arm,
shoulder, and a part of his breast, leaving to view a specimen of
a frame which might have merited his Saxon predecessor's epithet
of Ironside. He stood for an instant, prompt to strike; then
sinking the head of the weapon towards the ground, he exclaimed,
"But there was blood, Neville--there was blood upon the place.
Hark thee, Sir Scot--brave thou wert once, for I have seen thee
fight. Say thou hast slain two of the thieves in defence of the
Standard--say but one--say thou hast struck but a good blow in
our behalf, and get thee out of the camp with thy life and thy
infamy!"
"You have called me liar, my Lord King," replied Kenneth firmly;
"and therein, at least, you have done me wrong. Know that there
was no blood shed in defence of the Standard save that of a poor
hound, which, more faithful than his master, defended the charge
which he deserted.
Pages:
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356