`` I will do it , '' he said . `` I swear I will do it . I will tell the King thou art no traitor , but the most excellent , valiant , and perfect of us all . Yes , I will save thee . '' ` De Aquila looked still into the bottom of the cup , rolling the wine-dregs to and fro . ' `` Ay , '' he said . `` If I had a son , I would , I think , save him . But do not by any means tell me how thou wilt go about it . '' ' `` Nay , nay , '' said Fulke , nodding his bald head wisely . `` That is my secret . But rest at ease , De Aquila , no hair of thy head nor rood of thy land shall be forfeited , '' and he smiled like one planning great good deeds . ' `` And henceforward , '' said De Aquila , `` I counsel thee to serve one master -- not two . '' ' `` What ? '' said Fulke . `` Can I work no more honest trading between the two sides these troublous times ? '' ' `` Serve Robert or the King -- England or Normandy , '' said De Aquila . `` I care not which it is , but make thy choice here and now . '' ' `` The King , then , '' said Fulke , `` for I see he is better served than Robert . Shall I swear it ? '' ' `` No need , '' said De Aquila , and he laid his hand on the parchments which Gilbert had written .
`` It shall be some part of my XXXXX 's penance to copy out the savoury tale of thy life , till we have made ten , twenty , an hundred , maybe , copies .
Aquila Ay England Fulke Gilbert King Robert fro parchments wine-dregs