human
Sir John, he said very coldly,
gpt
I come to ask if you break truce by free will or compulsion.
human
By compulsion, sir, said Rupert, with a quick smile.
gpt
I ride too fast for knowledge of each town’s days of truce. Sir John here came out at my request, to talk with me. You are Captain Lambert, I take it? Ah, we have heard of you—have heard matters to your credit, if you will permit an adversary so much freedom.
human
Well, then, I’ll give you punctilio for punctilio, sir, went on Rupert.
gpt
The King’s needs are urgent I could not wait—truce or no, I had to give my orders to Sir John here. To be precise, I urged him to harry you unceasingly. I told him that we were pressing forward to the relief of York. Is honour satisfied? If not, name a convenient hour for hostilities to open. My men are here. Yours are on the hill yonder, where your guns look down on us.
human
Press on to York, by your leave. Mallory, I’m in your debt. I doubted your good faith just now.
gpt
That was unwise, Lambert. Eh, man, the troubled days will soon be ended—then, if we’re both alive, come sup with me as of old.