“To-morrow I will hang it,” he said. “It is not a fit thing for a man of your dignity to hang a mouse,” she replied. “Nevertheless will I do so,” said he. “Do so then,” said Kicva. The next morning, Manawyddan went to the magic mound, and set up two forks on it, to make a gallows. He had just finished, when a man dressed like a poor scholar came towards him, and greeted him. “What are you doing, Lord?” he said. “I am going to hang a thief,” replied Manawyddan. “What sort of a thief? I see an animal like a mouse in your hand, but a man of rank like yours should not touch so mean a creature. Let it go free.” “I caught it robbing me,” replied Manawyddan, “and it shall die a thief’s death.” “I do not care to see a man like you doing such a thing,” said the scholar. “I will give you a pound to let it go.” “I will not let it go,” replied Manawyddan, “nor will I sell it.” “As you will, Lord. It is nothing to me,” returned the scholar. And he went away. Manawyddan laid a cross-bar along the forks. As he did so, another man came by, a priest riding on a horse. He asked Manawyddan what he was doing, and was told. “My lord,” he said, “such a reptile is worth nothing to buy, but rather than see you degrade yourself by touching it, I will give you three pounds to let it go.” “I will take no money for it,” replied Manawyddan. “It shall be hanged.” “Let it be hanged,” said the priest, and went his way. Manawyddan put the noose round the mouse’s neck, and was just going to draw it up, when he saw a bishop coming, with his whole retinue. “Thy blessing, Lord Bishop,” he said. “Heaven’s blessing upon you,” said the bishop. “What are you doing?” “I am hanging a thief,” replied Manawyddan. “This mouse has robbed me.” “Since I happen to have come at its doom, I will ransom it,” said the bishop. “Here are seven pounds. Take them, and let it go.” “I will not let it go,” replied Manawyddan. “I will give you twenty-four pounds of ready money if you will let it go,” said the bishop. “I would not, for as much again,” replied Manawyddan. “If you will not free it for that,” said the bishop, “I will give you all my horses and their baggage to let it go.” “I will not,” replied Manawyddan. “Then name your own price,” said the bishop. “That offer I accept,” replied Manawyddan. “My price is that Rhiannon and Pryderi be set free.” “They shall be set free,” replied the bishop. “Still I will not let the mouse go,” said Manawyddan. “What more do you ask?” exclaimed the bishop. “That the charm be removed from Dyfed,” replied Manawyddan. “It shall be removed,” promised the bishop. “So set the mouse free.” “I will not,” said Manawyddan, “till I know who the mouse is.”