Therefore I can not fight my King . '' He nursed his sword -- thus . ' `` This is saying and unsaying like a Norman , '' said Hugh . `` What of our Manors ? '' ' `` I do not think for myself , '' said De Aquila , `` nor for our King , nor for your lands . I think for England , for whom neither King nor Baron thinks . I am not Norman , Sir Richard , nor Saxon , Sir Hugh . English am I. '' ' `` Saxon , Norman or English , '' said Hugh , `` our lives are thine , however the game goes . When do we hang Gilbert ? '' ' `` Never , '' said De Aquila . `` Who knows , he may yet be Sacristan of Battle , for , to do him justice , he is a good writer . Dead men make dumb witnesses . Wait . '' ' `` But the King may give Pevensey to Fulke . And our Manors go with it , '' said I. `` Shall we tell our sons ? '' ' `` No . The King will not wake up a hornets ' nest in the South till he has smoked out the bees in the North . He may hold me a traitor ; but at least he sees I am not fighting against him ; and every day that I lie still is so much gain to him while he fights the Barons . If he were wise he would wait till that war were over before he made new enemies . But I think Fulke will play upon him to send for me , and if I do not obey the summons , that will , to Henry 's mind , be proof of my treason .
But mere talk , such as XXXXX sends , is no proof nowadays .
Aquila England English Fulke Gilbert King Norman Saxon day hornets