` Because for seven years no man hath visited this place . ' ' I wander where I will , ' answered the scholar . ` And what work art thou upon ? ' ' I am about to hang a thief that I caught robbing me ! ' ` What manner of thief is that ? ' inquired the scholar . ' I see a creature in thy hand like upon a mouse , and ill does it become a man of thy rank to touch a reptile like this . Let it go free . ' ' I will not let it go free , ' cried Manawyddan . ' I caught it robbing me , and it shall suffer the doom of a thief . ' ` Lord ! ' 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 XXXXX see thee touch this reptile , I would purchase its freedom . ' '
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