So he went up a hill and set up two forks on the top , and while he was doing this he saw a scholar coming towards him , whose clothes were tattered . Now it was seven years since Manawyddan had seen man or beast in that place , and the sight amazed him . ` Good day to thee , my lord , ' said the scholar . ` Good greeting to thee , scholar . Whence dost thou come ? ' ` From singing in England ; but wherefore dost thou ask ? ' ` Because for seven years no man hath visited this place . ' ' I wander where I will , ' answered the scholar . ` And what work art thou upon ? ' ' I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me ! ' ` What manner of thief is that ? ' inquired the scholar . ' I see a creature in thy hand like upon a mouse , and ill does it become a man of thy rank to touch a reptile like this . Let it go free . ' ' I will not let it go free , ' cried Manawyddan . ' I caught it robbing me , and it shall suffer the doom of a thief . ' ` Lord ! ' said the scholar , ` sooner than see a man like thee at such a work , I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it go free . ' ' I will not let it go free , neither will I sell it . ' ` As thou wilt , lord , ' answered the scholar , and he went his way .
XXXXX was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks , where the mouse was to hang , when a priest rode past .
England Lord Manawyddan alms hill pound reptile sight thief years