midnight
Take a pewter plate for thyself , but the trenchers will do for we . ' But the other would not , and took a trencher likewise , in doing which he spoke of the two girls and remarked how comely they were . This quietude was put an end to by a stir out of doors , which was sufficient to draw Swetman 's attention to it , and he went out . Farm hands who had gone off and joined the Duke on his arrival had begun to come in with news that a midnight battle had been fought on the moors to the north , the Duke 's men , who had attacked , being entirely worsted ; the Duke himself , with one or two lords and other friends , had fled , no one knew whither . ` There has been a battle , ' says Swetman , on coming indoors after these tidings , and looking earnestly at the stranger . ` May the victory be to the rightful in the end , whatever the issue now , ' says the other , with a sorrowful sigh . ` Dost really know nothing about it ? '