_Pal._ Nay, give’t to me. Stain not thy hands. _Mar._ I pray thee. _Pal._ As thou wilt. _Mar._ How did it happen? _Pal._ Wouldst thou hear it? _Mar._ Tell me. _Pal._ I had been two days in prison ... _Mar._ Tell me, first, How could they catch thee? _Pal._ Treachery: I was taken By Hugo’s soldiers as I knelt at mass. Three stole behind me, seized me by the arms, 710 And dragged me forth. I knew I was betrayed; I had entered but that morning in the town; I was not known to them, nor did the hirelings Look on my face. They led me straight to prison, Thrust me in a cell so dank and dark and small, That to be built alive into the grave Were not more horrible. _Mar._ Hugo would have killed thee. _Pal._ Or let me starve; or else some gentle mercy; Gouged my live eyeballs out, or lopped my hands. _Mar._ How couldst thou ’scape? _Pal._ Now thou wilt see our people Have their account. The second night my gaoler 721 Brought in a woman with a deed to sign. I knew my hope, and to her feigned reproach Answered in anger back: but when she bade I took the deed, and felt beneath the paper A dagger’s edge. That was my key to heaven, Could I strike silently. To make occasion, I thrust her from me with an oath: she fell, As well she knew, against the foe, who stooping, Stooped to his death and fell without a groan. 730 Then quick she doffed her gown for my disguise, Telling me in few words how this was planned By friends who had seen me taken: they had not means For present rescue, but discovering soon Who had betrayed me, used his cursed name With the governour of the prison, to admit Her, his pretended wife, that she might claim Settlement of some debt before I died. So was it paid. Then we went forth together, I in her woman’s garments, following her, 740 Who wore the habit of the soldier slain: And she went clear: but I, for some suspicion Was questioned at the gate. Of those two men, One I slew straight: the other, as I struck, Thrust thro’ my arm, yet not so hurtfully But that he fell for it too. But thence alarm Was given: I fled pursued, and gat me clear, Leaping your garden wall. _Mar._ Who was the woman? _Pal._ One of our people. _Mar._ May her name be told? _Pal._ I never heard it. _Mar._ Yet she knew thee well. 750 I had been proud to have done her deed. I think There are not many men as brave as she.