Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/266

This page has been validated.

CHAPTER XLVI. OSBERNE ENTERS THE CITY OF THE SUNDERING FLOOD.

SO peace was made, and all was quiet till after Marymass. Osberne had somewhat of a mind to get him into the Wood, and seek through the strengths and other houses that were scattered about in the Wood itself, and the edge thereof toward the Sundering Flood; but partly he was sick at heart of for ever asking questions to which came evermore but one answer, and partly there was very much work come to his hand that he might scarce turn over to another, of visiting the captured strongholds, and seeing to the men-at-arms therein and the captains, and suchlike matters; for now he was closer to the rede and mind of Sir Godrick than any other.

So, as aforesaid, the time wore till Marymass was over, and then came fresh tidings, to wit, that the men of the Small Crafts and the lesser commons were risen against the Porte and the King, and had gotten to them the North Gate of the City, and were holding it against their foemen, together with that quarter of the City which lay round about it. The news hereof was sure, for it was brought to Longshaw one night by three of the weavers who had ridden on the spur to tell it to Sir Godrick, and these three men he knew well, and that they were trusty. Now so it was both that it had been not easy at any time that