So saying, he arose and left the banqueting room, followed by Athelstane, and by several other guests, who, partaking of the Saxon lineage, held themselves insulted by the sarcasms of Prince John and his courtiers.
“By the bones of St. Thomas,” said Prince John, as they retreated, “the Saxon churls have borne off the best of the day, and have retreated with triumph!”
“ Conclamatum est, poculatum est ,” said Prior Aymer; “we have drunk and we have shouted—it were time we left our wine flagons.”
“The monk hath some fair penitent to shrive tonight, that he is in such a hurry to depart,” said De Bracy.
“Not so, Sir Knight,” replied the Abbot; “but I must move several miles forward this evening upon my homeward journey.”
“They are breaking up,” said the Prince in a whisper to Fitzurse; “their fears anticipate the event, and this coward Prior is the first to shrink from me.”
“Fear not, my lord,” said Waldemar; “I will show him such reasons as shall induce him to join us when we hold our meeting at York .—Sir Prior,” he said, “I must speak with you in private, before you mount your palfrey.”
The other guests were now fast dispersing, with the exception of those immediately attached to Prince John’s faction, and his retinue.
“This, then, is the result of your advice,” said the Prince, turning an angry countenance upon Fitzurse; “that I should be bearded at my own board by a drunken Saxon churl, and that, on the mere sound of my brother’s name, men should fall off from me as if I had the leprosy?”