But mayhap thou wilt go with us, Sir Sheriff." "Nay," quoth the Sheriff hastily, "Heaven forbid!" But now seven habits such as Black Friars wear were brought, and the King and those about him having clad themselves therein, and His Majesty having hung a purse with a hundred golden pounds in it beneath his robes, they all went forth and mounted the mules that had been brought to the door for them.

Then the King bade the Sheriff be silent as to their doings, and so they set forth upon their way.

Onward they traveled, laughing and jesting, until they passed through the open country; between bare harvest fields whence the harvest had been gathered home; through scattered glades that began to thicken as they went farther along, till they came within the heavy shade of the forest itself.

They traveled in the forest for several miles without meeting anyone such as they sought, until they had come to that part of the road that lay nearest to Newstead Abbey.
"By the holy Saint Martin," quoth the King, "I would that I had a better head for remembering things of great need.

Here have we come away and brought never so much as a drop of anything to drink with us.