Hark in thine ear now.

But first swear to me by the holy cross, puritan as thou art, that thou wilt make no other use of what I tell thee but to free thy stolen mare.

I know thou may be trusted even with the secret that would slay thine enemy.

But I must have thy oath notwithstanding thereto.' 'I will not swear by the cross, which was never holy, for thereby was the Holy slain.

I will not swear at all, mother Rees.