` What manner of thief , lord ? ' ' A creature in the form of a mouse . It has been robbing me , and it shall suffer the doom of a thief . ' ` Lord , ' said the priest , ` sooner than see thee touch this reptile , I would purchase its freedom . ' ' I will neither sell it nor set it free . ' ` 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 XXXXX to set it free , ' said the bishop . '
Lord Manawyddan creature horses mouse pounds ransom reptile thief way