to keep my end up. That jab made this fellow squirm.
The abbot inquired after the queen and the court, and
got this information:

"They be all on sleep, being overcome by fatigue,
like as to the king."

I said:

"That is merely another lie. Half of them are
about their amusements, the queen and the other half
are not sleeping, they ride. Now perhaps you can
spread yourself a little, and tell us where the king and
queen and all that are this moment riding with them
are going?"