Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-12-02
THE MERRY FRIAR.
s'1 am n friar Of orders grey.n-soye.

the good cause of the established faith) was
solacing himself in the agreeable shade of
a spreading elm, which extended its
protecting branches over most inviting
nook of green turf, beside which trckled
tiny rivulet; this worthy priest-errant,
say, was solacng himself with cheese of
ewes milk and dry crust from his scrip,
when young knight, unattended, came
winding through the green lane upon his
steed, both, in truth, appearing travel
weary.
"Good even to thee father" said the
knight, courteously accosting the friar.
"Good knight-good ven,'-rcplied the
other
"By'r lady!--father, thou hast chosen
cool retreat.''
"And yet It's a marvel, sir knight, that
thou shouldst admire that which thy valor
would scorn."
"How-what should my volor scorn?"
"Marry, sir knight, a retreat to be sure"
quoth the friar; ''for of verify you of the
sword and buckler notriously prefer the
use of your arms to your legs; while we.
the servants of the church, have Oike
scolds) only our tongues for our weapons"
"Beshrew me, sir friar, but thou art
wag," cried the knight, "and I'll have
word with thee"
"Nay, pray thee, valiant, have no words
with me" interrupted the friar, "for I'm
inclined to no quarrel; l am a preacher of
peace, who am right glad to win little
piece for my preaching
ga quarrel-by my knighthood! I'm
more inclined to rest and good-fellowhip,
holy friar."
"And by my monkshood! so am l! and
yet who shall look upon us twain and aver
we are not hostile;" said the friar; ''the
merest clown, that hath no more brains in
his costard than my walking staff, regard
ing thy casque and my shaven crown, would
IN his obtuse perception, proclaim differ
ence between us; and what's difference
but a quarrel ?"
"Nay, then, let's fall to, and fair words
be our weapons" answered the knight, fall
ing in with his humor and dismounting, seat
ed himself down by the frar.
"Agrced!' guoth the friar; "and so be-
gins and ends the contest in an-engage-
ment! Now couch thee on this green sward
comfortably; and far better is it for thee to
be beside me, or even sane begger, than
beside thyself, for then thou wouldst be mad
of a surety.
"By my fay, an thou be'stt not as droll
clerk as ever girded up his lons in sack
cloth and hemp. But father, how fits this
humor with thy serious vocation?"
"Truly like light heart and n clear con-
science upon full stomach. Garb him as
ye list, mans still man. It's my nature
to be blithe; and therefore, do I hold it to
sinful to sport masl. Of gravity. Some
who wear the cowl look upon it as a SYM
boil of sadness as well as sanctity; for my
part, honestly confess regard my cOul
only as lirely-hOod! and yet" continued
the friar, with mock k-seriousness, placing
his palms upon his capacious corporation
''behold how my mirthfulness and good
humor runneth to-wGid! o! it's a sad
world we live in, sir knight"
The knight laughed heartily at the iocose
conceits of the jolly friar, and almost imper-
ceptibly began to quibble in the same strain;
albeit, he preferred rather TO prove the good
humored garulity of his companion than TO
hear himself discourse.
"Only to see how wit engendereth wit, ="
cried the friar, ''as naturally as bears bear
bears, or wolves and churchmen-prey!-
BY St. George, sir knight, we are well met,
and by the good will we'll part not ere we
drink chrping-cup together. A league
hence stands hostelrie, where | purpose
10 spend the night and a mark to boot, for
beshrew me an there be not as good fla
gon of wine to be had there as ever made a
dull eye or light heel"
"Have with thee, then," replied the
knight, for / lack reflection after a hard
days ride; and would faint reach our des-
tination ere nightfall."
"And yet nightfall can have no terrors
for thee said the friar, ''for in thy time
thou mnst have seen many knight fall,
even at noon-day!"
SAY, truly, many brave knight have
seen cast from his seat who hath borne his
discontinue with grace and equanimity
; worthy -"
"Worthy the hrolcn, naithless," inter-
posed the frar, laughing, nothing
but cracked croCn to support his dignity
withal! And this is what you men of valor
term sport. Heaven save me from such
jests, quoha A doughty knight making
another appear foolish, wherefore peradven-
ture the king maketh him a foolish peer,
and thus the game runs!"
"Nay, | charge thee"
"Charge me not, pray thee, sir knight" "
quickly retorted the friar,-for 10! / am un-
armed; bear neither arms nor malice, al
belt, in sort, may myself be termed a
buckLer---seeing that am priest of Hymen,
and licensed to tack together the sexes"
$50 to, frar, Pm no match for thee"
"No, the church allows us no MATCH
The priest tacks, but doth not tax himself
with awife. The progeny ofmother church
| are all children by adoption! But, beseech
thee, mount, sir knight and let us jog on:
and thanks to thy company that will make
the wayiarer's way fa!rer."
Having, after short progress, rendered
! shorter by the pleasantly of the friar, ar