“De Bracy, look to the eastern side, where the walls are lowest⁠—Noble Bois-Guilbert, thy trade hath well taught thee how to attack and defend, look thou to the western side⁠—I myself will take post at the barbican. Yet, do not confine your exertions to any one spot, noble friends!⁠—we must this day be everywhere, and multiply ourselves, were it possible, so as to carry by our presence succour and relief wherever the attack is hottest. Our numbers are few, but activity and courage may supply that defect, since we have only to do with rascal clowns.”

“But, noble knights,” exclaimed Father Ambrose, amidst the bustle and confusion occasioned by the preparations for defence, “will none of ye hear the message of the reverend father in God Aymer, Prior of Jorvaulx?⁠—I beseech thee to hear me, noble Sir Reginald!”

“Go patter thy petitions to heaven,” said the fierce Norman, “for we on earth have no time to listen to them.⁠—Ho! there, Anselm I see that seething pitch and oil are ready to pour on the heads of these audacious traitors⁠—Look that the cross-bowmen lack not bolts. 32 ⁠—Fling abroad my banner with the old bull’s head⁠—the knaves shall soon find with whom they have to do this day!”

“But, noble sir,” continued the monk, persevering in his endeavours to draw attention, “consider my vow of obedience, and let me discharge myself of my Superior’s errand.”

“Away with this prating dotard,” said Front-de Boeuf, “lock him up in the chapel, to tell his beads till the broil be over. It will be a new thing to the saints in Torquilstone to hear aves and paters; they have not been so honoured, I trow, since they were cut out of stone.”