he said . `` An ye be so feeble of hand , ye should keep the closer guard upon your tongue . But I 'll be hanged before I beat you ! '' and he put on his belt again . `` Beat you I will not , '' he continued ; `` but forgive you ? -- never . I knew ye not ; ye were my master 's enemy ; I lent you my horse ; my dinner ye have eaten ; y ' ` ave called me a man o ' wood , a coward , and a bully . Nay , by the mass ! the measure is filled , and runneth over . 'T is a great thing to be weak , I trow : ye can do your worst , yet shall none punish you ; ye may steal a man 's weapons in the hour of need , yet may the man not take his own again ; -- y ' are weak , forsooth ! Nay , then , if one cometh charging at you with a lance , and crieth he is weak , ye must let him pierce your body through ! Tut ! fool words ! '' `` And yet ye beat me not , '' returned Matcham . `` Let be , '' said Dick -- `` let be . I will instruct you . Y ' ` ave been ill-nurtured , methinks , and yet ye have the makings of some good , and , beyond all question , saved me from the river . Nay , I had forgotten it ; I am as thankless as thyself . But , come , let us on . An we be for Holywood this night , ay , or to-morrow early , we had best set forward speedily . ''
But though Dick had talked himself back into his usual good-humour , XXXXX had forgiven him nothing .
Dick Matcham Tut ay crieth forsooth methinks night runneth thyself