Five hundred years ago I would have made all England such an England as neither Dane , Saxon , nor Norman should have conquered . Five hundred years hence I should have been such a counsellor to Kings as the world hath never dreamed of . 'T is all here , '' said he , tapping his big head , `` but it hath no play in this black age . Now Hugh here is a better man than thou art , Richard . '' He had made his voice harsh and croaking , like a raven 's . ' `` Truth , '' said I. `` But for Hugh , his help and patience and long-suffering , I could never have kept the Manor . '' ' `` Nor thy life either , '' said De Aquila . `` Hugh has saved thee not once , but a hundred times . Be still , Hugh ! '' he said . `` Dost thou know , Richard , why Hugh slept , and why he still sleeps , among thy Norman men-at-arms ? '' ' `` To be near me , '' said I , for I thought this was truth . ' `` Fool ! '' said De Aquila . `` It is because his Saxons have begged him to rise against thee , and to sweep every Norman out of the valley . No matter how I know . It is truth . Therefore Hugh hath made himself an hostage for thy life , well knowing that if any harm befell thee from his Saxons thy Normans would slay him without remedy . And this his Saxons know . Is it true , Hugh ? '' '
`` In some sort , '' said XXXXX shamefacedly ; `` at least , it was true half a year ago .
Aquila Dane Hugh Norman Normans Richard Saxons counsellor men-at-arms raven