_Ste._ [_Draining his glass_] As good liquor as ever wet an oath since Noah was a vintner. _Bal._ Vintner? An you put him in the trade the bishop will have you up for it. _Ste._ A groat for your bishop, and that off your grandam's eyes! I'm no little king Henry pulled to mincemeat by his bishops and barons. "I'll take off your mitre," roars he to his bishop. "An you take off my mitre, I'll clap on a helmet, by the lord," says my bishop. "I'll have your castle!" shouts he to his baron. "An you take my castle, I'll give you London tower," says master baron. Ay, and he would, with the keeper thrown in. _Bal._ And you too, if you bite not a bit from your tongue. _Ste._ By the mass, I'll drink the king's ale, and I'll take the king's money, but I'll fight for none but Hubert de Burgh! _God._ And he for the king--so you. _Ste._ I care not how you make it. De Burgh is my master. I'll fight for him and with him and after him, but I'll wear a red sword for no bishop or baron or little king Harry in Christendom! _Bal._ That may be so with more of us than you, but stop your mouth with good ale and let words alone. _Ste._ And I'll go with him to the French court and pull Louis off the king's stool! [_Sings_] Hear, boys, hear! O, hear our captain call! We'll away, boys, away! For the love o' the sword and the love o' the money, We'll on to the wars, my brave fellows all, An they take our Jack they will leave our Johnny. Away, boys, away! [_Enter Hubert and Roland_] _Hub._ What cheer, my men? A fair morning for brave hearts. Can you keep this castle for me till I've had a bout at sea? _A soldier._ That we can, sir! _Ste._ I'll go with you, sir, by your leave. The castle will wait for us, I give you my word, sir. _Hub._ You have seen the bottom of your glass too often to-night, Stephen. _Ste._ God bless you, sir, there's where a soldier keeps his oath to serve God and his country, and he can't look it over too often. Take me wi' you, sir, and I'll prove you who lifts his glass the highest will wave his sword the longest. [_Kneels_] I was your father's soldier, sir, and hope to die yours. _Hub._ Nay, I must leave trusty souls behind me. Let those who love me least fight under my eye, but I'll trust nay good Stephen around the world. _Ste._ [_Rising_] Ay, sir! Rain arrows, hail bullets, we'll keep the castle against all weather! _Hub._ [_Presenting Roland_] Then here's your brave captain. Follow him now, and farewell, good fellows--farewell, all! [_Soldiers start out slowly, following Roland_] _An old soldier._ [_Turning_] But you'll come again, sir? _Another._ Ay, we'll see you back? _Another._ An you come or come not, I kiss my sword to you, Hubert de Burgh, the bravest knight in all England!