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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: as if to emblem that royal authority which laid its temporal ban upon
their contract. The earl drew his own sword instantly, and struck down
the interposing weapon; then clasped his left arm round Matilda, who sprang
into his embrace, and held his sword before her with his right hand.
His yeomen ranged themselves at his side, and stood with their swords drawn,
still and prepared, like men determined to die in his defence.
The soldiers, confident in superiority of numbers, paused. The abbot took
advantage of the pause to introduce a word of exhortation. "My children,"
said he, "if you are going to cut each other's throats, I entreat you,
in the name of peace and charity, to do it out of the chapel."
"Sweet Matilda," said the earl, "did you give your love to
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