Now I was reconnoitring the country with a troop of the sailors from my ship who are but poor fighters, and a few of my own people, when my spies brought me word that she had ridden out attended by only two men, and surely I thought that already she was in my hands.

But the knights foiled me by strategy and strength, and you know the end of it.

So afterwards my messenger presented the letter, which, indeed, should have been done at first.

The letter failed also, for neither you, nor the Princess"-- and he bowed to Rosamund--"could be bought.

More, the whole country was awakened; you were surrounded with armed men, the knightly brethren kept watch and ward over you, and you were about to fly to London, where it would have been hard to snare you.