E'en as yourselves ye also would be judged. COMMANDER (rising). Accord mo leave to speak I pray, dear Lord ! MOI.AY. 'Tis granted you ! COMMAXDER. Sir Knights, beloved Brethren ! Tho thing is as tho Master told it, true, But yot the offence is not so raven-black ; For any roughness I'm alone to blame, God mend it!—If my old hot head had not Struck fire, the good youth never would have dreamt Of being so choleric with his old friend. Dear Knights, I am no man of many words, I am indeed ashamed, God mend it, hero To make confession like a serving-brother At penanco ; but tho valiant Ilobert, ho Hath not deserved wo should so sternly judgo A first offence ; so, this while, let it pass ; Take off his mantle for a fortnight : so Have done with it. [Sits doic A YOUXOER KNIGHT (standing up). The Seneschal is right ! ANOTHER (of the same). He is so young ! A THIRD (statiding up). Our bravest and our best ! A FOURTH (of the same). Did ho not win three horsetails ? MOLAT. Silence, there ! Permission was not given you to speak !— [The Knights sit dowi 102 THE TKMPLARS IX CTi'RCS. [ACT