Page:Maid Marian - Peacock (1822).djvu/137

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Maid Marian.
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up his advantage by obtaining possession of several strong posts, and among others of the castle of Nottingham.

While John was conducting his operations at Nottingham, he rode at times past the castle of Arlingford. He stopped on one occasion to claim Lord Fitzwater's hospitality, and made most princely havoc among his venison and brawn. Now it in a matter of record among divers great historians and learned clerks, that he was then and there grievously smitten by the charms of the lovely Matilda, and that a few days after he dispatched his travelling minstel, or laureate, Harpiton[1] (whom be retained at moderate wages to keep a journal of his proceedings and prove them all just and legitimate), to the

  1. ↑ Harp-it-on: or, a corruption of Ἑρπιτον, a creeping thing.
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