midday
They are far more occupied in making ordinances and collecting contributions , and in doing all they can for the honour and glory of Ghent , than in thinking of taking Oudenarde , which , indeed , when captured , would be of no great consequence to them . '' Sir Ralph nodded . `` Methinks you are right , Edgar . I arrived here just as you went out this morning , and hearing from your men that you were not like to return till midday , I have ridden round to see what was being done , and to my surprise saw that , in the three months since this great host sat down before Oudenarde , naught of any use whatever has been accomplished . With such an army , if Flanders wishes to maintain her freedom , she should have summoned Burgundy to abstain from giving aid to the earl , and on his refusal should have marched with her whole force against him , captured some of his great towns , and met his host in a fair field . Methinks you two are doing no good to yourselves here , and that it will be just as well for you both to go back to England for a time , until you see how matters shape themselves . '' The two young knights were both pleased to hear Sir Ralph 's counsel , for they themselves had several times talked the matter over together , and agreed that there was little prospect of aught being done for many months .