There had
they iron, both in pigs and forged scrap and nails; steel they had,
and silver, both in ingots and vessel; pearls from over sea; cinnabar
and other colours for staining, such as were not in the mountains:
madder from the marshes, and purple of the sea, and scarlet grain
from the holm-oaks by its edge, and woad from the deep clayey fields
of the plain; silken thread also from the outer ocean, and rare webs
of silk, and jars of olive oil, and fine pottery, and scented woods,
and sugar of the cane. But gold they had none with them, for that
they took there; and for weapons, save a few silver-gilt toys, they
had no market.
So presently they fell to chaffer; for the carles brought them little
bags of the river-borne gold, so that the weights and scales were at
work; others had with them scrolls and tallies to tell the number of
the beasts which they had to sell, and the chapmen gave them wares
therefor without beholding the beasts; for they wotted that the
Dalesmen lied not in chaffer. While the day was yet young withal
came the Dalesmen from the mid and nether Dale with their wares and
set up their booths; and they had with them flasks and kegs of the
wine which they had to sell; and bales of the good winter-woven
cloth, some grey, some dyed, and pieces of fine linen; and blades of
swords, and knives, and axes of such fashion as the Westland men
used; and golden cups and chains, and fair rings set with mountain-
blue stones, and copper bowls, and vessels gilt and parcel-gilt, and
mountain-blue for staining.
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