Thenextmorningthebuglesweresoundedbyday-breakinthecourtofLordBoteler’smansion，tocalltheinhabitantsfromtheirslumbers，toassistinasplendidchase，withwhichtheBaronhadresolvedtoentertainhisneighbourFitzallen，andhisnoblevisitorSt。Clere。PeterLanaret，thefalconer，wasinattendance，withfalconsfortheknights，andterceletsfortheladies，iftheyshouldchoosetovarytheirsportfromhuntingtohawking。Fivestoutyeomenkeepers，withtheirattendants，calledRaggedRobins，allmeetlyarrayedinKendalgreen，withbuglesandshorthangersbytheirsides，andquarterstaffsintheirhands，ledtheslow-houndsorbrachets，bywhichthedeerweretobeputup。Tenbraceofgallantgreyhounds，eachofwhichwasfittopluckdown，singly，thetallestreddeer，wereledinleashesbyasmanyofLordBoteler’sforesters。Thepages，squires，andotherattendantsoffeudalsplendour，wellattiredintheirbesthunting-gear，uponhorsebackorfoot，accordingtotheirrank，withtheirboar-spears，long-bows，andcross-bows，wereinseemlywaiting。
Anumeroustrainofyeomen，calledinthelanguageofthetimesretainers，whoyearlyreceivedaliverycoatandasmallpensionfortheirattendanceonsuchsolemnoccasions，appearedincassocksofblue，bearingupontheirarmsthecognizanceofthehouseofBoteler，asabadgeoftheiradherence。
Theywerethetallestmenoftheirhandsthattheneighbouringvillagescouldsupply，witheverymanhisgoodbuckleronhisshoulder，andabrightburnishedbroadsworddanglingfromhisleathernbelt。Onthisoccasiontheyactedasrangersforbeatingupthethickets，androusingthegame。Theseattendantsfilledupthecourtofthecastle，spaciousasitwas。
Onthegreenwithout，youmighthaveseenthemotleyassemblageofpeasantry，convenedbyreportofthesplendidhunting，includingmostofouroldacquaintancesfromTewin，aswellasthejollypartakersofgoodcheeratHobFilcher’s。Gregorythejester，itmaywellbeguessed，hadnogreatmindtoexhibithimselfinpublicafterhisrecentdisaster；butOswaldthesteward，agreatformalistinwhateverconcernedthepublicexhibitionofhismaster’shouseholdstate，hadpositivelyenjoinedhisattendance。What！’’quothhe，shallthehouseofthebraveLordBoteler，onsuchabravedayasthis，bewithoutafool？Certes，thegoodLordSt。Clere，andhisfairladysister，mightthinkourhousekeepingasniggardlyasthatoftheirchurlishkinsmanatGayBowers，whosenthisfather’sjestertothehospital，soldthepoorsot’sbellsforhawk-jesses，andmadeanightcapofhislong-earedbonnet。And，sirrah，letmeseetheefoolhandsomely-speaksquibsandcrackersinsteadofthatdry，barren，musty，gibingwhichthouhastusedoflate；or，bythebones！theportershallhavetheetohislodge，andcobtheewiththineownwoodensword，tillthyskinisasmotleyasthydoublet。’’
TothissterninjunctionGregorymadenoreply，anymorethantothecourteousofferofoldAlbertDrawslot，thechiefpark-keeper，whoproposedtoblowvinegarinhisnosetosharpenhiswit，ashehaddonethatblessedmorningtoBragger，theoldhound，whosescentwasfailing。Therewasindeedlittletimeforreply，forthebugles，afteralivelyflourish，werenowsilent，andPeretto，withhistwoattendantminstrels，steppingbeneaththewindowsofthestrangers’apartments，joinedinthefollowingroundelay，thedeepvoicesoftherangersandfalconersmakingupachorusthatcausedtheverybattlementstoringagain。