Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race

Then Sir Richard came humbly into the hall, where a great banquet was in progress, and knelt down in courteous salutation to the abbot and his guests; but the prelate, who had made up his mind what conduct to adopt, greeted him coldly, and many men did not return his salutation at all. Sir Richard spoke aloud: “Rejoice, Sir Abbot, for I am come to keep my day.” “That is well,” replied the monk, “but hast thou brought the money?” “No money have I, not one penny,” continued Sir Richard sadly. “Pledge me in good red wine, Sir Justice,” cried the abbot callously; “the land is mine. And what dost thou here, Sir Richard, a broken man, with no money to pay thy debt?” “I am come to beg you to grant me a longer time for repayment.” “Not one minute past the appointed hour,” said the exultant prelate. “Thou hast broken pledge, and thy land is forfeit.”