1 The road," replied the hermit, "is easy to hit.
2 Incensed at this preparation on the hermit's part for making good his inhospitable purpose, the knight struck the door so furiously with his foot, that posts as well as staples shook with violence.
3 The door accordingly was opened; and the hermit, a large, strong-built man, in his sackcloth gown and hood, girt with a rope of rushes, stood before the knight.
4 The hermit, as if wishing to answer to the confidence of his guest, threw back his cowl, and showed a round bullet head belonging to a man in the prime of life.
5 Sir Knight," answered the hermit, "your thoughts, like those of the ignorant laity, are according to the flesh.
6 The hermit could scarcely forbear from smiling at his guest's reply.
7 The hermit cast a wistful look upon the knight, in which there was a sort of comic expression of hesitation, as if uncertain how far he should act prudently in trusting his guest.
8 After exchanging a mute glance or two, the hermit went to the further side of the hut, and opened a hutch, which was concealed with great care and some ingenuity.
9 "To ease your unnecessary scruples, Sir Knight, I will for once depart from my rule," replied the hermit.
10 The hermit only replied by a grin; and returning to the hutch, he produced a leathern bottle, which might contain about four quarts.
11 Friend Sluggard," answered the hermit, "thou hast seen all that can concern thee of my housekeeping, and something more than he deserves who takes up his quarters by violence.
12 Sir Sluggish Knight, I drink to thee," said the hermit; "respecting thy valour much, but deeming wondrous slightly of thy discretion.
13 I hope, Sir Knight," said the hermit, "thou hast given no good reason for thy surname of the Sluggard.
14 Notwithstanding the prescription of the genial hermit, with which his guest willingly complied, he found it no easy matter to bring the harp to harmony.
15 During this performance, the hermit demeaned himself much like a first-rate critic of the present day at a new opera.