said the scholar , ` sooner than see a man like thee at such a work , I would give thee a pound which I have received as alms to let it go free . ' ' I will not let it go free , neither will I sell it . ' ` As thou wilt , lord , ' answered the scholar , and he went his way . Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on the two forked sticks , where the mouse was to hang , when a priest rode past . ` Good-day to thee , lord ; and what art thou doing ? ' ' I am hanging a thief that I caught robbing me . ' ` 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 XXXXX thine hand ? '
As at for in like of that to upon with