` It is true that a mouse is worth nothing , but rather than see thee defile thyself with touching such a reptile as this , I will give thee three pounds for it . ' ' I will not take any price for it . It shall be hanged as it deserves . ' ` Willingly , my lord , if it is thy pleasure . ' And the priest went his way . Then Manawyddan noosed the string about the mouse 's neck , and was about to draw it tight when a bishop , with a great following and horses bearing huge packs , came by . ` What work art thou upon ? ' asked the bishop , drawing rein . ` Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me . ' ` But is not that a mouse that I see in thine hand ? ' asked the bishop . ` Yes ; that is the thief , ' answered Manawyddan . ` Well , since I have come at the doom of this reptile , I will ransom it of thee for seven pounds , rather than see a man of thy rank touch it . Loose it , and let it go . ' ' I will not let it loose . ' ' I will give thee four and twenty pounds to set it free , ' said the bishop . ' I will not set it free for as much again . ' ` If thou wilt not set it free for this , I will give thee all the horses thou seest and the seven loads of baggage . ' ' I will not set it free . ' ` Then tell me at what price thou wilt loose it , and I will give it . '
` The spell must be taken off Rhiannon and Pryderi , ' said XXXXX .
Manawyddan art hand horses packs pounds price ransom reptile string