The Priest and the Clerk
169
"For one fool can ask more than ten wise men can answer;" and the end was, he got the clerk to go in his stead.
Yes! the clerk set off, and came to the palace in the priest's gown and hood. There the king met him out in the porch with crown and sceptre, and was so grand, it glittered and gleamed from him.
"Well! are you there?" said the king.
Yes; he was there, sure enough.
"Tell me first," said the king, "how far the east is from the west?"
"Just a day's journey," said the clerk.
"How is that?" asked the king.
