Polonius was often annoyed by Herefyrth who rarely observed the moments around hi

m. For example, Herefyrth would not have noticed, being the oaf that he was that
the archangel Gabriel had wafted down from the sky, and scolded the Aegelnoth w
ho had been plaguing us as we journeyed along the road. Wherever we went an Aege
lnoth would pop up and throw darts or stones or hiss and spit while uttering unp
leasant words. It was impossible to discover a moments respite, at least for me.
But Herefyrth was constantly immersed in prayer or reading scripture or scourgin
g himself with the spare cassock rope that he carried in his cowl. He was irksom
ely oblivious to the irritations that plagued my moments as I trudged along besi
de him. But luckily, my guardian. Archangel Gabriel had come to my aid on this o
ccasion, saying, Show some courtesy, Aegelnoth, for you have been spared the sham
e of fleeing phantoms. Do not look so balefully upon your benefactor.
The words of the angel roused Herefyrth from his pious reverie, causing him to b
lurt out, Im sure it was my fault if he did, reasoned the humble Herefyrth. I must h
ave startled his poor, dumb horse. If only it could speak, like the excellent Eq
uus. However, I cannot imagine why the Aegelnoth would flee when it is to be exp
ected that clerical sprites are stirring all along the road in which he would ha
ve to flee. But greetings, Gabriel. I have not met you for such a long time. Even
in a contrite condition, Herefyrth had to apply a general idea to a particular
moment. He was obsessed with the abstract, unable to dwell on the moment. How I
pitied him, almost to the point of loathing.
Gabriel echoed my own sentiments with his less courteous response to Herefyrths k
indly but foolish greeting: Quite long. I have been spared, said the archangel, co
nfounding the gross-thighed monk, whose awareness of the moment was equally lack
ing when it came to grasping rebukes that were less than openly hostile. Leaving
Herefyrth to chew on the cud of confusion, Gabriel then turned his attention to
me, asking, Polonius, how are you, dear, old chap. It seems I have arrived at a
good moment. I remember how happily we travelled together towards Glastonbury, h
ow you trod the road so briskly with that gross-thighed monk in your wake, he rec
alled, waving dismissively in Herefyrths direction, and I moved above you, hoverin
g angelically in the air.
It was a happy journey, I agreed. A fine time indeed. There were many moments that
punctuate it happily in my memory, so that the whole of it stands out as a joyou
s experience. Even though much of it does not figure in my memory.
As I recall you were miffed he did not carry you the entire way, insisted Herefyrt
h, according to his habitual, callow indiscretion, his unfortunate memory. I lik
e to regard Herefyrths memory as fanciful, and provoked by envy, marred my own re
collections, and caused Gabriel to wince at the thought that I could have been u
ngrateful to a courteous, celestial being. In any case, Herefyrth had scarred th
e moment of my reunion with Gabriel, so that the joyous occasion would be tinged
with embarrassment and unwanted strain that had not existed in the first moment
s of our coming together again, in our spontaneous elation at being together. In
that moment, I longed to seize Herefyrths scourging rope from out of his cowl an
d flog his massive buttocks and wide thighs with a vicious that would be more pa
inful than any penance the oaf had yet inflicted upon himself.
But just then, I heard the dulcet strains of a maiden sitting on a hillock by t
he road. She sang prettily as she strummed her dulcimer, and lulled me into a mo
mentary harmony, an equanimity that was all to fleeting, and for that reason, ve
ry precious. Even Herefyrth stopped reading his breviary and Gabriel began pluck
ing on the harp he usually carried between his wings. The two musicians played i
n a blissful euphony, a glorious harmony that lulled the countryside into an unw
onted peace. But the moment was brief, for Herefyrth gasped and pointed to a hug
e serpents tail that moved from beneath the maidens skirt. It is Lilith, Satans wife
! bellowed Herefyrth.

My God, forgive me, moaned the Archangel, and cast a thunderbolt at the maiden who
immediately transformed into a hideous, cackling crone before she disappeared i
n a cloud of sulphurous fumes. Gabriel looked up to Heaven and waited for God t
o say some chastising words. The clouds were torn asunder, and a huge eye appear
ed in the sky. I see you have your blue eye today, good God.
Yes, Im far too cheerful for My black eye. So your penance will be light. You will
destroy all the dulcimers within an area of 300 square miles. And you will do s
o in the company of Herefyrth; Polonius will travel alone for the time being. I h
eard Gabriel groan quietly at the prospect of his penance, but he made no open p
rotest.
Damn you, Herefyrth! I seethed. Theres another happy moment youve sacked with your ke
enness for unpleasant detail. But at least I would have some moments to myself wh
ile the oaf went off destroying dulcimers.