And in fine , my lord , methinks I had all the danger , as well as all the profit , of that little blind-man 's mellay on the beach . '' `` Y ' are shrewd enough to make light of it , I see , '' returned the stranger . `` Nay , my lord , not shrewd , '' replied Dick , `` in that I shoot at no advantage to myself . But when , by the light of this new day , I see how stout a knight hath yielded , not to my arms alone , but to fortune , and the darkness , and the surf -- and how easily the battle had gone otherwise , with a soldier so untried and rustic as myself -- think it not strange , my lord , if I feel confounded with my victory . '' `` Ye speak well , '' said the stranger . `` Your name ? '' `` My name , a n't like you , is Shelton , '' answered Dick . `` Men call me the Lord Foxham , '' added the other . `` Then , my lord , and under your good favour , ye are guardian to the sweetest maid in England , '' replied Dick ; `` and for your ransom , and the ransom of such as were taken with you on the beach , there will be no uncertainty of terms . I pray you , my lord , of your goodwill and charity , yield me the hand of my mistress , Joan Sedley ; and take ye , upon the other part , your liberty , the liberty of these your followers , and -LRB- if ye will have it -RRB- my gratitude and service till I die . '' `` But are ye not ward to Sir Daniel ? Methought , if y ' are Harry Shelton 's son , that I had heard it so reported , '' said Lord Foxham . `` Will it please you , my lord , to alight ? I would fain tell you fully who I am , how situate , and why so bold in my demands . Beseech you , my lord , take place upon these steps , hear me to a full end , and judge me with allowance . '' And so saying , Dick lent a hand to Lord Foxham to dismount ; led him up the knoll to the cross ; installed him in the place where he had himself been sitting ; and standing respectfully before his noble prisoner , related the story of his fortunes up to the events of the evening before . Lord Foxham listened gravely , and when Dick had done , `` Master Shelton , '' he said , `` ye are a most fortunate-unfortunate young gentleman ; but what fortune y ' ` ave had , that ye have amply merited ; and what unfortune , ye have noways deserved . Be of a good cheer ; for ye have made a friend who is devoid neither of power nor favour . For yourself , although it fits not for a person of your birth to herd with outlaws , I must own ye are both brave and honourable ; very dangerous in battle , right courteous in peace ; a youth of excellent disposition and brave bearing . For your estates , ye will never see them till the world shall change again ; so long as Lancaster hath the strong hand , so long shall Sir Daniel enjoy them for his own .
For my ward , it is another matter ; I had promised her before to a gentleman , a kinsman of my house , one Hamley ; the promise is old -- '' `` Ay , my lord , and now Sir Daniel hath promised her to my Lord Shoreby , '' interrupted XXXXX .
Dick England Lancaster Methought Sedley Shelton before day dismount mellay