CHAPTER IV.
With sheep and shaggy goats the porkers bled,
And the proud steer was on the marble spread;
With fire prepared, they deal the morsels round,
Wine rosy bright the brimming goblets crown'd.
••••••
Disposed apart, Ulysses shares the treat;
A trivet table and ignobler seat,
The Prince assigns———
Odyssey, Book 21.
The Prior Aymer had taken the opportunity
afforded him, of changing his riding robe for one
of yet more costly materials, over which he wore
a cope curiously embroidered. Besides the huge
golden signet ring, which marked his ecclesiastical dignity, his fingers, though contrary to the
canon, were loaded with precious gems; his sandals were of the finest leather which was imported from Spain; his beard trimmed to as
small dimensions as his order would possibly
