our borders, and the Primate requireth me to watch with vigilance, and what not.'
'Assuredly,' said the monk, 'the magistrate should not bear the sword in vain—those be they that turn the world upside down—and doubtless your reverend wisdom will with due diligence second the exertions of the right reverend father in God, being in the peremptory defence of the Holy Church.'
'Aye, but how is this to be done?' answered the abbot; 'Saint Mary aid us! The Primate writes to me as if I were a temporal baron—a man under command, having soldiers under him! He says, send forth—scour the country—guard the passes—Truly these men do not travel as those who would give their lives for nothing—the last who went south passed the dry-march at the Riding-burn with an escort of thirty spears, as our reverend brother the Abbot of Kelso did write unto us. How are cowls and scapularies to stop the way?'
'Your bailiff is accounted a good man-at-arms, holy father,' said Eustace; 'your vassals are obliged to rise for the defence of the Holy Kirk—it is the tenure on which they hold their lands—if they will not come forth for the church which gives them bread, let their possessions be given to others.'
'We shall not be wanting,' said the abbot, collecting himself with importance. 'to do whatever may advantage Holy Kirk—thyself shall hear the charge to our bailiff and our officials; but here again is our controversy with the warden of the bridge and the Baron of Meigallot. Saint Mary! vexations do so multiply upon the house, and upon the generation, that a man wots not where to turn to! Thou didst say, Father Eustace, thou wouldst look into our evidents touching this free passage for the pilgrims?'
'I have looked into the chartulary of the house, holy father,' said Eustace, 'and therein I find a written and formal grant of all duties and customs payable at the drawbridge of Brigton, not only by ecclesiastics of this foundation, but by every pilgrim truly designed to accomplish his vows at this house, to the Abbot Ailford, and the monks of the house of Saint Mary in Kennaouhair, from that time
