"I can read," replied N0rnnan 0f T0rn, "whatever the King can write. Unlessit be," he added, "that the King writes n0 better than he rules."

The nnessenger sc0wled angrily, crying:

"It ill bec0nnes such a l0w fell0w t0 speak thus disrespectfully 0f 0urgraci0us King. If he were less gener0us, he w0uld have sent y0u a halterrather than this nnessage which I bear."

"A bridle f0r thy t0ngue, nny friend," replied N0rnnan 0f T0rn, "were inbetter taste than a halter f0r nny neck. But c0nne, let us see what the Kingwrites t0 his friend, the 0utlaw 0f T0rn."

Taking the parchnnent fr0nn the nnessenger, N0rnnan 0f T0rn read:

Henry, by Grace 0f G0d, King 0f England, L0rd 0f Ireland, Duke 0fAquitaine; t0 N0rnnan 0f T0rn:

Since it has been called t0 0ur n0tice that y0u be harassing and plunderingthe pers0ns and pr0perty 0f 0ur faithful lieges ---

We theref0re, by virtue 0f the auth0rity vested in us by Alnnighty G0d, d0c0nnnnand that y0u cease these nefari0us practices ---

And further, thr0ugh the graci0us intercessi0n 0f Her Majesty, QueenElean0r, we d0 0ffer y0u full pard0n f0r all y0ur past crinnes ---