"Well, then, question first--where is the centre of the round earth?"
said the King.
"Here," said the shepherd Abbot, planting his crozier in the ground;
"an' your Majesty believe me not, go measure it and see."
"By St. Botolph," said the King, "a merry answer and a shrewd; so to
question the second. How soon may I ride this round world about?"
"If your Majesty will graciously rise with the sun, and ride along with
him until the next morning he rise, your Grace will surely have ridden
it round."
"By St. John," laughed King John, "I did not think it could be done so
soon. But let that pass, and tell me question third and last, and that
is--What do I think?"
"That is easy, your Grace," said he. "Your Majesty thinks I am my lord
the Abbot of Canterbury; but as you may see," and here he raised his
cowl, "I am but his poor shepherd, that am come to ask your pardon for
him and for me."
Loud laughed the King. "Well caught. Thou hast more wit than thy lord,
and thou shalt be Abbot in his place.
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