received. The twenty shillings therefore of _mercy,_ I, without
mercy, will exact from Dominus Norman; to Dominus Willelm, on
the other hand, I, with thanks, will wholly remit the said sum."'
Men know not always to whom they refuse lodgings; men have
lodged Angels unawares!--


It is clear Abbot Samson had a talent; he had learned to judge
better than Lawyers, to manage better than bred Bailiffs:--a
talent shining out indisputable, on whatever side you took him.
'An eloquent man he was,' says Jocelin, 'both in French and
Latin; but intent more on the substance and method of what was
to be said, than on the ornamental way of saying it. He could
read English Manuscripts very elegantly, _elegantissime:_ he was
wont to preach to the people in the English tongue, though
according to the dialect of Norfolk, where he had been brought
up; wherefore indeed he had caused a Pulpit to be erected in our
Church both for ornament of the same, and for the use of his
audiences.' There preached he, according to the dialect of
Norfolk: a man worth going to hear.

That he was a just clear-hearted man, this, as the basis of all
true talent, is presupposed. How can a man, without clear vision
in his heart first of all, have any clear vision in the head? It
is impossible! Abbot Samson was one of the justest of judges;
insisted on understanding the case to the bottom, and then
swiftly decided without feud or favour. For which reason,
indeed, the Dominus Rex, searching for such men, as for hidden
treasure and healing to his distressed realm, had made him one of
the new Itinerant judges,--such as continue to this day. "My