“Yea, master Clement,” said Ralph, “these be no peaceful lands whereto thou art bringing us, or very pleasant to dwell in.”
“Little for peace, but much for profit,” said Clement; “for these lands be fruitful of wine and oil and wheat, and neat and sheep; withal metals and gems are dug up out of the mountains; and on the other hand, they make but little by craftsmanship, wherefore are they the eagerer for chaffer with us merchants; whereas also there are many of them well able to pay for what they lack, if not in money, then in kind, which in a way is better. Yea, it is a goodly land for merchants.”
“But I am no merchant,” said Ralph.
“So it is,” said Clement, “yet thou desireth something; and whither we are wending thou mayst hear tidings that shall please thee, or tidings that shall pl
