"Surely, sir," answered Philipson, "this is a severe construction of a most natural action. But, in a word, if you are disposed to be rigorous, the simple action of drawing, or attempting to draw a sword, in a garrison town, is only punishable by pecuniary fine, and such we must pay, if it be your will." "Now, here is a silly sheep," said Kilian to the executioner, beside whom he had stationed himself, somewhat apart from the group, "who voluntarily offers his own fleece to the clipper." "It will scarcely serve as a ransom for his throat, Sir Squire," answered Francis Steinernherz; "for, look you, I dreamed last night that our master made me noble, and I knew by the fall of my sword that this is the man by whom I am to mount to gentility. I must this very day deal on him with my good sword." "Why, thou ambitious fool," said the esquire, "this is no noble, but an island pedlar--a mere English citizen." "Thou art deceived," said the executioner, "and hast never looked on men when they are about to die." "Have I not?" said the squire. "Have I not looked on five pitched fields, besides skirmishes and ambuscades innumerable?" "That tries not the courage," said the Scharfgerichter. "All men will fight when pitched against each other. So will the most paltry curs--so will the dunghill fowls. But he is brave and noble who can look on a scaffold and a block, a priest to give him absolution, and the headsman and good sword which is to mow him down in his strength, as he would look upon things indifferent; and such a man is that whom we now behold." "Yes," answered Kilian, "but that man looks not on such an apparatus--he only sees our illustrious patron, Sir Archibald de Hagenbach." "And he who looks upon Sir Archibald," said the executioner, "being, as yonder man assuredly is, a person of sense and apprehension, looks he not upon sword and headsman? Assuredly that prisoner apprehends as much, and being so composed as he is under such conviction, it shows him to be a nobleman by blood, or may I myself never win nobility!" "Our master will come to compromise with him, I judge," replied Kilian; "he looks smilingly on him." "Never trust to me, then," said the man in scarlet; "there is a glance in Sir Archibald's eye which betokens blood, as surely as the dog-star bodes pestilence."