Keep but a handful of lances at your hand . '' `` Fellow , '' said the duke , `` I have forborne to chide you for your slowness . Cross me not , therefore . I trust my hand and arm , for all that I be crooked . Ye were backward when the trumpet sounded ; and ye are now too forward with your counsels . But it is ever so ; last with the lance and first with tongue . Let it be reversed . '' And with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility , he waved them off . The footmen climbed again to their seats behind the men-at-arms , and the whole party moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty different directions , under the cover of the forest . The day was by this time beginning to break , and the stars to fade . The first grey glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young men , who now turned once more to face each other . `` Here , '' said the duke , `` ye have seen my vengeance , which is , like my blade , both sharp and ready . But I would not have you , for all Christendom , suppose me thankless . You that came to my aid with a good sword and a better courage -- unless that ye recoil from my misshapenness -- come to my heart . '' And so saying , the young leader held out his arms for an embrace . In the bottom of his heart Dick already entertained a great terror and some hatred for the man whom he had rescued ; but the invitation was so worded that it would not have been merely discourteous , but cruel , to refuse or hesitate ; and he hastened to comply . `` And now , my lord duke , '' he said , when he had regained his freedom , `` do I suppose aright ? Are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester ? '' `` I am Richard of Gloucester , '' returned the other . `` And you -- how call they you ? ''
XXXXX told him his name , and presented Lord Foxham 's signet , which the duke immediately recognised .
Christendom Dick Gloucester countenances duke first footmen hatred men-at-arms misshapenness