'What, sire!' cried they, 'are private resentments, like threadworms, to fret the dams of the state?
The floods are out, my lord King, and brimming at the sluices.

Be advised therefore.' No wearer of the cap of Anjou was ever advised yet.

I can hear in fancy the gnashing of the old lion's fangs, in fancy see the foam he churned at the corners of his mouth.

He went out with such men as he could gather in his haste, nineteen of them in all.

There were old Gilles and young Gilles with their men; eight of the King's own choosing, namely, Drago de Merlou, Armand Taillefer, the Count of Ponthieu, Fulk Perceforest, Fulk D'Oilly, Gilbert FitzReinfrid, Ponce the bastard of Caen, and a butcher called Rolf, to whom the King, mocking all chivalry, gave the gilt spurs before he started.