"They were readier in my father's tent than mine; but they be somewhere about, if this scorching climate have not dried up the ink .-- Why, this fellow is a jewel--a black diamond, Neville." "So please you, my liege," said Neville, "if I might speak my poor mind, it were ill dealing in this ware.

This man must be a wizard, and wizards deal with the Enemy, who hath most interest to sow tares among the wheat, and bring dissension into our councils, and--" "Peace, Neville," said Richard.

"Hello to your northern hound when he is close on the haunch of the deer, and hope to recall him, but seek not to stop Plantagenet when he hath hope to retrieve his honour." The slave, who during this discussion had been writing, in which art he seemed skilful, now arose, and pressing what he had written to his brow, prostrated himself as usual, ere he delivered it into the King's hands.
The scroll was in French, although their intercourse had hitherto been conducted by Richard in the lingua franca.
"To Richard, the conquering and invincible King of England, this from the humblest of his slaves.

Mysteries are the sealed caskets of Heaven, but wisdom may devise means to open the lock.

Were your slave stationed where the leaders of the Christian host were made to pass before him in order, doubt nothing that if he who did the injury whereof my King complains shall be among the number, he may be made manifest in his iniquity, though it be hidden under seven veils." "Now, by Saint George!" said King Richard, "thou hast spoken most opportunely .-- Neville, thou knowest that when we muster our troops to-morrow the princes have agreed that, to expiate the affront offered to England in the theft of her banner, the leaders should pass our new standard as it floats on Saint George's Mount, and salute it with formal regard.