``Why，’’saidWamba，``anyourvalourbesodull，youwillpleasetolearnthatthosehonestfellowsbalanceagooddeedwithonenotquitesolaudable；asacrowngiventoabeggingfriarwithanhundredbyzantstakenfromafatabbot，orawenchkissedinthegreenwoodwiththereliefofapoorwidow。’’
``Whichofthesewasthegooddeed，whichwasthefelony?’’interruptedtheKnight。
``Agoodgibe！agoodgibe！’’saidWamba；
``keepingwittycompanysharpeneththeapprehension。
Yousaidnothingsowell，SirKnight，Iwillbesworn，whenyouhelddrunkenvesperswiththebluffHermit——Buttogoon。Themerry-menoftheforestsetoffthebuildingofacottagewiththeburningofacastle，——thethatchingofachoiragainsttherobbingofachurch，——thesettingfreeapoorprisoneragainstthemurderofaproudsheriff；or，tocomenearertoourpoint，thedeliveranceofaSaxonfranklinagainsttheburningaliveofaNormanbaron。Gentlethievestheyare，inshort，andcourteousrobbers；butitisevertheluckiesttomeetwiththemwhentheyareattheworst。’’