Page:Maid Marian - Peacock (1822).djvu/117

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Maid Marian.
107

"From Rubygill abbey," said the friar, "whither I never return:

For I must seek some hermit cell,Where I alone my beads may tell,And on the wight who that way faresLevy a toll for my ghostly pray'rs,Levy a toll, levy a toll, Levy a toll for my ghostly pray'rs."

"What is the matter then, father?" said Matilda.

"This is the matter," said the friar: "my holy brethren have held a chapter on me, and sentenced me to seven years' imprisonment and privation of wine. I therefore deemed it fitting to take my departure, which they would fain have prohibited. I was enforced to clear the way with my staff; I have grievously beaten my dearly beloved brethren: I grieve thereat: but they enforced me thereto. I have beaten them much; I

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