NowIhavetoldthee,indeed,oftwothingswhereofwebothwot;butnextImustneedstelltheeofthingswhereofIwot,andthouwottestnot。Yetthiswerebetter,thatthoupledgethywordnottotouchsomuchasoneofmyhands,andthatwegotogetheralittlewayhenceawayfromthesetumbledstones,andsitdownupontheopengreensward;whereashereiscoveriftherebespyingabroad。\"
Again,asshespoke,sheturnedverypale;butWaltersaid:\"Sinceitmustbeso,IpledgetheemywordtotheeasIlovethee。\"
Andtherewithshekneltdown,anddidonherfoot—gear,andthenspranglightlyovertherivulet;andthenthetwainofthemwentsidebysidesomehalfafurlongthence,andsatdown,shadowedbytheboughsofaslimquicken—treegrowingupoutofthegreensward,whereonforagoodspacearoundwasneitherbushnorbrake。
Therebeganthemaidentotalksoberly,andsaid:\"ThisiswhatI
mustneedssaytotheenow,thatthouartcomeintoalandperilousforanyonethatlovethaughtofgood;fromwhich,forsooth,Iwerefainthatthouwertgottenawaysafely,eventhoughIshoulddieoflongingforthee。Asformyself,myperilis,inameasure,lessthanthine;Imeantheperilofdeath。Butlo,thou,thisirononmyfootistokenthatIamathrall,andthouknowestinwhatwisethrallsmustpayfortransgressions。Furthermore,ofwhatIam,andhowIcamehither,timewouldfailmetotell;butsomewhile,maybe,Ishalltellthee。Iserveanevilmistress,ofwhomImaysaythatscarceIwotifshebeawomanornot;butbysomecreaturesissheaccountedforagod,andasagodisheried;andsurelynevergodwascruellernorcolderthanshe。Meshehatethsorely;yetifshehatedmelittleornought,smallwerethegaintomeifitwereherpleasuretodealhardlybyme。Butasthingsnoware,andareliketobe,itwouldnotbeforherpleasure,butforherpainandloss,tomakeanendofme,therefore,asIsaide’ennow,mymerelifeisnotinperilwithher;unless,perchance,somesuddenpassiongetthebetterofher,andsheslayme,andrepentofitthereafter。
Forsoitis,thatifitbetheleastevilofherconditionsthatsheiswanton,atleastwantonsheistotheletter。Manyatimehathshecastthenetforthecatchingofsomegoodlyyoungman;andherlatestprey(saveitbethou)istheyoungmanwhomInamed,whenfirstIsawthee,bythenameoftheKing’sSon。Heiswithusyet,andIfearhim;foroflatehathheweariedofher,thoughitisbutplaintruthtosayofher,thatsheisthewonderofallBeautiesoftheWorld。Hehathweariedofher,Isay,andhathcasthiseyesuponme,andifIwereheedless,hewouldbetraymetotheuttermostofthewrathofmymistress。ForneedsmustIsayofhim,thoughhebeagoodlyman,andnowfallenintothralldom,thathehathnobowelsofcompassion;butisadastard,whoforanhour’spleasurewouldundome,andthereafterwouldstandbysmilingandtakingmymistress’spardonwithgoodcheer,whileformewouldbenopardon。Seestthou,therefore,howitiswithmebetweenthesetwocruelfools?AndmoreoverthereareothersofwhomIwillnotevenspeaktothee。\"
Andtherewithsheputherhandsbeforeherface,andwept,andmurmured:\"Whoshalldelivermefromthisdeathinlife?\"
ButWaltercriedout:\"ForwhatelseamIcomehither,I,I?\"
Anditwasanearthingthathedidnottakeherinhisarms,butherememberedhispledgedword,anddrewabackfromherinterror,whereashehadaninklingofwhyshewouldnotsufferit;andheweptwithher。
ButsuddenlytheMaidleftweeping,andsaidinachangedvoice:
\"Friend,whereasthouspeakestofdeliveringme,itismorelikethatIshalldeliverthee。AndnowIpraythypardonforthusgrievingtheewithmygrief,andthatmoreespeciallybecausethoumaystnotsolacethygriefwithkissesandcaresses;butsoitwas,thatforonceIwassmittenbythethoughtoftheanguishofthisland,andthejoyofalltheworldbesides。\"
Therewithshecaughtherbreathinahalf—sob,butrefrainedherandwenton:\"Nowdearfriendanddarling,takegoodheedtoallthatI
shallsaytothee,whereasthoumustdoaftertheteachingofmywords。Andfirst,Ideembythemonsterhavingmettheeatthegatesoftheland,andrefreshedthee,thattheMistresshathlookedforthycoming;nay,bythycominghitheratall,thatshehathcasthernetandcaughtthee。Hastthounotedaughtthatmightseemtomakethismorelike?\"
SaidWalter:\"ThreetimesinfulldaylighthaveIseengopastmetheimagesofthemonsterandtheeandagloriouslady,evenasifyewerealive。\"
AndtherewithhetoldherinfewwordshowithadgonewithhimsincethatdayonthequayatLangton。
Shesaid:\"Thenitisnolongerperhaps,butcertain,thatthouartherlatestcatch;andevensoIdeemedfromthefirst:and,dearfriend,thisiswhyIhavenotsufferedtheetokissorcaressme,sosoreasIlongedforthee。FortheMistresswillhavetheeforheronly,andhathluredtheehitherfornoughtelse;andsheiswiseinwizardry(evenassomedealamI),andwertthoutotouchmewithhandormouthonmynakedflesh,yea,orwereitevenmyraiment,thenwouldshescentthesavourofthyloveuponme,andthen,thoughitmaybeshewouldsparethee,shewouldnotspareme。\"
Thenwasshesilentalittle,andseemedverydowncast,andWalterheldhispeacefromgriefandconfusionandhelplessness;forofwizardryheknewnought。
AtlasttheMaidspakeagain,andsaid:\"Neverthelesswewillnotdieredeless。Nowthoumustlooktothis,thatfromhenceforwarditisthee,andnottheKing’sSon,whomshedesireth,andthatsomuchthemorethatshehathnotseteyesonthee。Rememberthis,whatsoeverherseemingmaybetothee。Now,therefore,shalltheKing’sSonbefree,thoughheknowitnot,tocasthisloveonwhomsohewill;and,inaway,Ialsoshallbefreetoyeasayhim。
Though,forsooth,sofulfilledisshewithmaliceandspite,thateventhenshemayturnroundonmetopunishmefordoingthatwhichshewouldhavemedo。Nowletmethinkofit。\"
Thenwasshesilentagoodwhile,andspokeatlast:\"Yea,allthingsareperilous,andaperilousredeIhavethoughtof,whereofIwillnottelltheeasyet;sowastenottheshortwhilebyaskingme。Atleasttheworstwillbenoworsethanwhatshallcomeifwestrivenotagainstit。Andnow,myfriend,amongstperilsitisgrowingmoreandmoreperilousthatwetwainshouldbelongertogether。ButIwouldsayonethingyet;andmaybeanotherthereafter。Thouhastcastthyloveupononewhowillbetruetothee,whatsoevermaybefall;yetissheaguilefulcreature,andmightnothelpitherlifelong,andnowforthyverysakemustneedsbemoreguilefulnowthaneverbefore。Andasforme,theguileful,mylovehaveIcastuponalovelyman,andonetrueandsimple,andastout—heart;butatsuchapinchishe,thatifhewithstandalltemptation,hiswithstandingmaybelikeundobothhimandme。Thereforeswearwebothofus,thatbybothofusshallallguileandallfallingawaybeforgivenonthedaywhenweshallbefreetoloveeachtheotherasourheartswill。\"
Waltercriedout:\"Olove,Iswearitindeed!thouartmyHallow,andIwillswearitasontherelicsofaHallow;onthyhandsandthyfeetIswearit。\"
Thewordsseemedtoheradearcaress;andshelaughed,andblushed,andlookedfullkindlyonhim;andthenherfacegrewsolemn,andshesaid:\"OnthylifeIswearit!\"
Thenshesaid:\"NowistherenoughtfortheetodobuttogohencestraighttotheGoldenHouse,whichismyMistress’shouse,andtheonlyhouseinthisland(saveonewhichImaynotsee),andliethsouthwardnolongway。Howshewilldealwiththee,Iwotnot;butallIhavesaidofherandtheeandtheKing’sSonistrue。
ThereforeIsaytothee,bewaryandcoldatheart,whatsoeveroutwardsemblancethoumaystmake。Ifthouhavetoyieldtheetoher,thenyieldratherlatethanearly,soastogaintime。Yetnotsolateastoseemshamedinyieldingforfear’ssake。Holdfasttothylife,myfriend,forinwardingthat,thouwardestmefromgriefwithoutremedy。Thouwiltseemeerelong;itmaybeto—morrow,itmaybesomedayshence。Butforgetnot,thatwhatImaydo,thatI
amdoing。Takeheedalsothatthoupaynomoreheedtome,orratherless,thanifthouwertmeetingamaidenofnoaccountinthestreetsofthineowntown。Omylove!barrenisthisfirstfarewell,aswasourfirstmeeting;butsurelyshalltherebeanothermeetingbetterthanthefirst,andthelastfarewellmaybelongandlongyet。\"
Therewithshestoodup,andhekneltbeforeheralittlewhilewithoutanyword,andthenaroseandwenthisways;butwhenhehadgoneaspaceheturnedabout,andsawherstillstandinginthesameplace;shestayedamomentwhenshesawhimturn,andthenherselfturnedabout。
Sohedepartedthroughthefairland,andhisheartwasfullwithhopeandfearashewent。
CHAPTERXI:WALTERHAPPENETHONTHEMISTRESS
ItwasbutalittleafternoonwhenWalterlefttheMaidbehind:hesteeredsouthbythesun,astheMaidhadbiddenhim,andwentswiftly;for,asagoodknightwendingtobattle,thetimeseemedlongtohimtillheshouldmeetthefoe。
Soanhourbeforesunsethesawsomethingwhiteandgaygleamingthroughthebolesoftheoak—trees,andpresentlytherewasclearbeforehimamostgoodlyhousebuildedofwhitemarble,carvedallaboutwithknotsandimagery,andthecarvenfolkwereallpaintedoftheirlivelycolours,whetheritweretheirraimentortheirflesh,andthehousingswhereintheystoodalldonewithgoldandfairhues。Gaywerethewindowsofthehouse;andtherewasapillaredporchbeforethegreatdoor,withimagesbetwixtthepillarsbothofmenandbeasts:andwhenWalterlookeduptotheroofofthehouse,hesawthatitgleamedandshone;forallthetileswereofyellowmetal,whichhedeemedtobeofverygold。
Allthishesawashewent,andtarriednottogazeuponit;forhesaid,BeliketherewillbetimeformetolookonallthisbeforeI
die。Buthesaidalso,that,thoughthehousewasnotofthegreatest,itwasbeyondcompareofallhousesoftheworld。
Nowheentereditbytheporch,andcameintoahallmany—pillared,andvaultedover,thewallspaintedwithgoldandultramarine,thefloordark,andspangledwithmanycolours,andthewindowsglazedwithknotsandpictures。Midmostthereofwasafountainofgold,whencethewaterrantwowaysingold—linedrunnels,spannedtwicewithlittlebridgesofsilver。Longwasthathall,andnownotverylight,sothatWalterwascomepastthefountainbeforehesawanyfolktherein:thenhelookeduptowardthehigh—seat,andhimseemedthatagreatlightshonethence,anddazzledhiseyes;andhewentonalittleway,andthenfellonhisknees;fortherebeforehimonthehigh—seatsatthatwondrousLady,whoselivelyimagehadbeenshowntohimthricebefore;andshewascladingoldandjewels,ashehaderstseenher。Butnowshewasnotalone;forbyhersidesatayoungman,goodlyenough,sofarasWaltermightseehim,andmostrichlyclad,withajewelledswordbyhisside,andachapletofgemsonhishead。Theyheldeachotherbythehand,andseemedtobeindearconversetogether;buttheyspakesoftly,sothatWaltermightnothearwhattheysaid,tillatlastthemanspakealoudtotheLady:\"Seestthounotthatthereisamaninthehall?\"
\"Yea,\"shesaid,\"Iseehimyonder,kneelingonhisknees;lethimcomenigherandgivesomeaccountofhimself。\"
SoWalterstoodupanddrewnigh,andstoodthere,allshamefacedandconfused,lookingonthosetwain,andwonderingatthebeautyoftheLady。Asfortheman,whowasslim,andblack—haired,andstraight—featured,forallhisgoodlinessWalteraccountedhimlittle,andnowisedeemedhimtolookchieftain—like。
NowtheLadyspakenottoWalteranymorethanerst;butatlastthemansaid:\"Whydoestthounotkneelasthoudidsterewhile?\"
Walterwasonthepointofgivinghimbackafierceanswer;buttheLadyspakeandsaid:\"Nay,friend,itmattersnotwhetherhekneelorstand;buthemaysay,ifhewill,whathewouldhaveofme,andwhereforeheiscomehither。\"
ThenspakeWalter,foraswrothandashamedashewas:\"Lady,I
havestrayedintothisland,andhavecometothinehouseasI
suppose,andifIbenotwelcome,Imaywelldepartstraightway,andseekawayoutofthyland,ifthouwouldstdrivemethence,aswellasoutofthinehouse。\"
ThereattheLadyturnedandlookedonhim,andwhenhereyesmethis,hefeltapangoffearanddesiremingledshootthroughhisheart。Thistimeshespoketohim;butcoldly,withouteitherwrathoranythoughtofhim:\"Newcomer,\"shesaid,\"Ihavenotbiddentheehither;butheremaystthouabideawhileifthouwilt;
nevertheless,takeheedthathereisnoKing’sCourt。Thereis,forsooth,afolkthatservethme(or,itmaybe,morethanone),ofwhomthouwertbesttoknownought。OfothersIhavebuttwoservants,whomthouwiltsee;andtheoneisastrangecreature,whoshouldscaretheeorscathetheewithagoodwill,butofagoodwillshallservenoughtsaveme;theotherisawoman,athrall,oflittleavail,savethat,beingcompelled,shewillworkwoman’sserviceforme,butwhomnoneelseshallcompel……Yea,butwhatisallthistothee;ortomethatIshouldtellittothee?Iwillnotdrivetheeaway;butifthineentertainmentpleasetheenot,makenoplaintthereoftome,butdepartatthywill。Nowisthistalkbetwixtusoverlong,since,asthouseest,IandthisKing’sSonareinconversetogether。ArtthouaKing’sSon?\"
\"Nay,Lady,\"saidWalter,\"Iambutofthesonsofthemerchants。\"
\"Itmattersnot,\"shesaid;\"gothywaysintooneofthechambers。\"
Andstraightwayshefella—talkingtothemanwhosatbesideherconcerningthesingingofthebirdsbeneathherwindowinthemorning;andofhowshehadbathedherthatdayinapoolofthewoodlands,whenshehadbeenheatedwithhunting,andsoforth;andallasiftherehadbeennonetheresaveherandtheKing’sSon。
ButWalterdepartedallashamed,asthoughhehadbeenapoormanthrustawayfromarichkinsman’sdoor;andhesaidtohimselfthatthiswomanwashateful,andnoughtlove—worthy,andthatshewaslittleliketotempthim,despiteallthefairnessofherbody。
Nooneelsehesawinthehousethateven;hefoundmeatanddrinkdulyservedonafairtable,andthereafterhecameonagoodlybed,andallthingsneedful,butnochildofAdamtodohimservice,orbidhimwelcomeorwarning。Neverthelessheate,anddrank,andslept,andputoffthoughtofallthesethingstillthemorrow,allthemoreashehopedtoseethekindmaidensometimebetwixtsunriseandsunsetonthatnewday。
CHAPTERXII:THEWEARINGOFFOURDAYSINTHEWOODBEYONDTHEWORLD
Hearosebetimes,butfoundnoonetogreethim,neitherwasthereanysoundoffolkmovingwithinthefairhouse;sohebutbrokehisfast,andthenwentforthandwanderedamongstthetrees,tillhefoundhimastreamtobathein,andafterhehadwashedthenightoffhimhelaydownunderatreetherebyforawhile,butsoonturnedbacktowardthehouse,lestperchancetheMaidshouldcomethitherandheshouldmissher。
Itshouldbesaidthathalfabow—shotfromthehouseonthatside(i。e。duenorththereof)wasalittlehazel—brake,androundaboutitthetreesweresmallerofkindthantheoaksandchestnutshehadpassedthroughbefore,beingmostlyofbirchandquicken—beamandyoungash,withsmallwoodbetwixtthem;sonowhepassedthroughthethicket,and,comingtotheedgethereof,beheldtheLadyandtheKing’sSonwalkingtogetherhandinhand,fulllovinglybyseeming。
Hedeemeditunmeettodrawbackandhidehim,sohewentforthpastthemtowardthehouse。TheKing’sSonscowledonhimashepassed,buttheLady,overwhosebeauteousfaceflickeredthejoyousmorningsmiles,tooknomoreheedofhimthanifhehadbeenoneofthetreesofthewood。Butshehadbeensohighanddisdainfulwithhimtheeveningbefore,thathethoughtlittleofthat。Thetwainwenton,skirtingthehazel—copse,andhecouldnotchoosebutturnhiseyesonthem,sosorelydidtheLady’sbeautydrawthem。Thenbefellanotherthing;forbehindthemtheboughsofthehazelsparted,andtherestoodthatlittleevilthing,heoranotherofhiskind;forhewasquiteunclad,savebyhisfellofyellowy—brownhair,andthathewasgirtwithaleatherngirdle,whereinwasstuckanuglytwo—edgedknife:hestooduprightamoment,andcasthiseyesatWalterandgrinned,butnotasifheknewhim;andscarcecouldWaltersaywhetheritweretheonehehadseen,oranother:
thenhecasthimselfdownonhisbelly,andfelltocreepingthroughthelonggrasslikeaserpent,followingthefootstepsoftheLadyandherlover;andnow,ashecrept,Walterdeemed,inhisloathing,thatthecreaturewaslikertoaferretthanaughtelse。Hecreptonmarvellousswiftly,andwassooncleanoutofsight。ButWalterstoodstaringafterhimforawhile,andthenlaydownbythecopse—
side,thathemightwatchthehouseandtheentrythereof;forhethought,nowperchancepresentlywillthekindmaidencomehithertocomfortmewithawordortwo。Buthourpassedbyhour,andstillshecamenot;andstillhelaythere,andthoughtoftheMaid,andlongedforherkindnessandwisdom,tillhecouldnotrefrainhistears,andweptforthelackofher。Thenhearose,andwentandsatintheporch,andwasverydowncastofmood。
Butashesatthere,backcomestheLadyagain,theKing’sSonleadingherbythehand;theyenteredtheporch,andshepassedbyhimsoclosethattheodourofherraimentfilledalltheairabouthim,andthesleeknessofhersidenightouchedhim,sothathecouldnotfailtonotethathergarmentsweresomewhatdisarrayed,andthatshekeptherrighthand(forherlefttheKing’sSonheld)
toherbosomtoholdtheclothtogetherthere,whereastherichraimenthadbeentornofffromherrightshoulder。Astheypassedbyhim,theKing’sSononcemorescowledonhim,wordless,butevenmorefiercelythanbefore;andagaintheLadyheededhimnought。
Aftertheyhadgoneonawhile,heenteredthehall,andfounditemptyfromendtoend,andnosoundinitsavethetinklingofthefountain;buttherewasvictualsetontheboard。Heateanddrankthereoftokeeplifelustywithinhim,andthenwentoutagaintothewood—sidetowatchandtolong;andthetimehungheavyonhishandsbecauseofthelackofthefairMaiden。
Hewasofmindnottogointothehousetohisrestthatnight,buttosleepundertheboughsoftheforest。Butalittleaftersunsethesawabright—cladimagemovingamidstthecarvenimagesoftheporch,andtheKing’sSoncameforthandwentstraighttohim,andsaid:\"Thouarttoenterthehouse,andgointothychamberforthwith,andbynomeanstogoforthofitbetwixtsunsetandsunrise。MyLadywillnotawaywiththyprowlingroundthehouseinthenight—tide。\"
Therewithheturnedaway,andwentintothehouseagain;andWalterfollowedhimsoberly,rememberinghowtheMaidhadbiddenhimforbear。Sohewenttohischamber,andslept。
Butamidstofthenightheawokeanddeemedthatheheardavoicenotfaroff,sohecreptoutofhisbedandpeeredaround,lest,perchance,theMaidhadcometospeakwithhim;buthischamberwasduskandempty:thenhewenttothewindowandlookedout,andsawthemoonshiningbrightandwhiteuponthegreensward。Andlo!theLadywalkingwiththeKing’sSon,andhecladinthinandwantonraiment,butsheinnoughtelsesavewhatGodhadgivenheroflong,crispyyellowhair。ThenwasWalterashamedtolookonher,seeingthattherewasamanwithher,andgathimbacktohisbed;butyetalongwhileerehesleptagainhehadtheimagebeforehiseyesofthefairwomanonthedewymoonlitgrass。
Thenextdaymatterswentmuchthesameway,andthenextalso,savethathissorrowwasincreased,andhesickenedsorelyofhopedeferred。Onthefourthdayalsotheforenoonworeaserst;butintheheatoftheafternoonWaltersoughttothehazel—copse,andlaidhimdowntherehardbyalittleclearingthereof,andsleptfromverywearinessofgrief。There,afterawhile,hewokewithwordsstillhanginginhisears,andheknewatoncethatitwastheytwaintalkingtogether。
TheKing’sSonhadjustdonehissay,andnowitwastheLadybeginninginherhoney—sweetvoice,lowbutstrong,whereinevenwasalittleofhuskiness;shesaid:\"Otto,belikeitwerewelltohavealittlepatience,tillwefindoutwhatthemanis,andwhencehecometh;itwillalwaysbeeasytoridusofhim;itisbutawordtoourDwarf—king,anditwillbedoneinafewminutes。\"
\"Patience!\"saidtheKing’sSon,angrily;\"Iwotnothowtohavepatiencewithhim;forIcanseeofhimthatheisrudeandviolentandheadstrong,andalow—bornwilyone。Forsooth,hehadpatienceenoughwithmetheothereven,whenIratedhimin,likethedogthatheis,andhehadnomanhoodtosayonewordtome。Soothly,ashefollowedafterme,Ihadamindtoturnaboutanddealhimabuffetontheface,toseeifIcouldbutdrawoneangrywordfromhim。\"
TheLadylaughed,andsaid:\"Well,Otto,Iknownot;thatwhichthoudeemestdastardyinhimmaybebutprudenceandwisdom,andheanalien,farfromhisfriendsandnightohisfoes。Perchanceweshallyettryhimwhatheis。Meanwhile,Iredetheetryhimnotwithbuffets,savehebeweaponlessandwithboundenhands;orelseIdeemthatbutalittlewhileshaltthoubefainofthyblow。\"
NowwhenWalterheardherwordsandthevoicewhereintheyweresaid,hemightnotforbearbeingstirredbythem,andtohim,alllonelythere,theyseemedfriendly。
Buthelaystill,andtheKing’sSonansweredtheLadyandsaid:\"I
knownotwhatisinthineheartconcerningthisrunagate,thatthoushouldstbemockmewithhisvaliancy,whereofthouknowestnought。
Ifthoudeemmeunworthyofthee,sendmebacksafetomyfather’scountry;Imaylooktohaveworshipthere;yea,andtheloveoffairwomenbelike。\"
TherewithitseemedasifhehadputforthhishandtotheLadytocaressher,forshesaid:\"Nay,laynotthinehandonmyshoulder,forto—dayandnowitisnotthehandoflove,butofprideandfolly,andwould—bemastery。Nay,neithershaltthouriseupandleavemeuntilthymoodissofterandkindertome。\"
Thenwastheresilencebetwixtthemawhile,andthereaftertheKing’sSonspakeinawheedlingvoice:\"Mygoddess,Ipraytheepardonme!ButcanstthouwonderthatIfearthywearyingofme,andamthereforepeevishandjealous?thousofarabovetheQueensoftheWorld,andIapooryouththatwithouttheewerenothing!\"
Sheanswerednought,andhewentonagain:\"Wasitnotso,O
goddess,thatthismanofthesonsofthemerchantswaslittleheedfulofthee,andthylovelinessandthymajesty?\"
Shelaughedandsaid:\"Maybehedeemednotthathehadmuchtogainofus,seeingtheesittingbyourside,andwhereaswespaketohimcoldlyandsternlyanddisdainfully。Withal,thepooryouthwasdazzledandshamefacedbeforeus;thatwecouldseeintheeyesandthemienofhim。\"
Nowthisshespokesokindlyandsweetly,thatagainwasWalterallstirredthereat;anditcameintohismindthatitmightbesheknewhewasanighandhearingher,andthatshespakeasmuchforhimasfortheKing’sSon:butthatoneanswered:\"Lady,didstthounotseesomewhatelseinhiseyes,towit,thattheyhadbutoflatelookedonsomefairwomanotherthanthee?Asforme,IdeemitnotsounlikethatonthewaytothinehallhemayhavefalleninwiththyMaid。\"
Hespokeinafalteringvoice,asifshrinkingfromsomestormthatmightcome。AndforsooththeLady’svoicewaschangedassheanswered,thoughtherewasnooutwardheatinit;ratheritwassharpandeagerandcoldatonce。Shesaid:\"Yea,thatisnotillthoughtof;butwemaynotalwayskeepourthrallinmind。Ifitbesoasthoudeemest,weshallcometoknowitmostlikewhenwenextfallinwithher;orifshehathbeenshythistime,thenshallshepaytheheavierforit;forwewillquestionherbytheFountainintheHallastowhatbetidbytheFountainoftheRock。\"
SpaketheKing’sSon,falteringyetmore:\"Lady,wereitnotbettertoquestionthemanhimself?theMaidisstout—hearted,andwillnotbespeedilyquelledintoatruetale;whereasthemanIdeemofnoaccount。\"
\"No,no,\"saidtheLadysharply,\"itshallnotbe。\"
Thenwasshesilentawhile;andthenshesaid:\"Howifthemanshouldprovetobeourmaster?\"
\"Nay,ourLady,\"saidtheKing’sSon,\"thouartjestingwithme;
thouandthymightandthywisdom,andallthatthywisdommaycommand,tobeover—masteredbyagangrelchurl!\"
\"ButhowifIwillnothaveitcommand,King’sSon?\"saidtheLady。
\"ItelltheeIknowthineheart,butthouknowestnotmine。Butbeatpeace!Forsincethouhastprayedforthiswoman——nay,notwiththywords,Iwot,butwiththytremblinghands,andthineanxiouseyes,andknittedbrow——Isay,sincethouhastprayedforhersoearnestly,sheshallescapethistime。Butwhetheritwillbetohergaininthelongrun,Imisdoubtme。Seethoutothat,Otto!
thouwhohastheldmeinthinearmssooft。Andnowthoumayestdepartifthouwilt。\"
ItseemedtoWalterasiftheKing’sSonweredumbfounderedatherwords:heanswerednought,andpresentlyherosefromtheground,andwenthiswaysslowlytowardthehouse。TheLadylaytherealittlewhile,andthenwentherwaysalso;butturnedawayfromthehousetowardthewoodattheotherendthereof,wherebyWalterhadfirstcomethither。
AsforWalter,hewasconfusedinmindandshakeninspirit;andwithalheseemedtoseeguileandcrueldeedsunderthetalkofthosetwo,andwaxedwrathfulthereat。Yethesaidtohimself,thatnoughtmighthedo,butwasasoneboundhandandfoot,tillhehadseentheMaidagain。
CHAPTERXIII:NOWISTHEHUNTUP
Nextmorningwasheupbetimes,buthewascastdownandheavyofheart,notlookingforaughtelsetobetidethanhadbetidthoselastfourdays。Butotherwiseitfellout;forwhenhecamedownintothehall,therewastheladysittingonthehigh—seatallalone,cladbutinacoatofwhitelinen;andsheturnedherheadwhensheheardhisfootsteps,andlookedonhim,andgreetedhim,andsaid:\"Comehither,guest。\"
Sohewentandstoodbeforeher,andshesaid:\"Thoughasyetthouhasthadnowelcomehere,andnohonour,ithathnotenteredintothinehearttofleefromus;andtosaysooth,thatiswellforthee,forfleeawayfromourhandthoumightestnot,normightestthoudepartwithoutourfurtherance。Butforthiswecantheethank,thatthouhastabidedhereourbiddingandeatenthineheartthroughtheheavywearingoffourdays,andmadenoplaint。YetI
cannotdeemtheeadastard;thousowellknitandshapelyofbody,soclear—eyedandboldofvisage。WhereforenowIaskthee,artthouwillingtodomeservice,therebytoearnthyguesting?\"
Walteransweredher,somewhatfalteringatfirst,forhewasastonishedatthechangewhichhadcomeoverher;fornowshespoketohiminfriendlywise,thoughindeedasagreatladywouldspeaktoayoungmanreadytoserveherinallhonour。Saidhe:\"Lady,I
canthanktheehumblyandheartilyinthatthoubiddestmedotheeservice;forthesedayspastIhaveloathedtheemptinessofthehours,andnoughtbettercouldIaskforthantoservesogloriousaMistressinallhonour。\"
Shefrownedsomewhat,andsaid:\"ThoushaltnotcallmeMistress;
thereisbutonewhosocallethme,thatismythrall;andthouartnonesuch。ThoushaltcallmeLady,andIshallbewellpleasedthatthoubemysquire,andforthispresentthoushaltservemeinthehunting。Sogetthygear;takethybowandarrows,andgirdtheetothysword。Forinthisfairlandmayonefindbeastsmoreperilousthanbebuckorhart。Igonowtoarrayme;wewilldepartwhilethedayisyetyoung;forsomakewethesummerdaythefairest。\"
Hemadeobeisancetoher,andshearoseandwenttoherchamber,andWalterdighthimself,andthenabodeherintheporch;andinlessthananhourshecameoutofthehall,andWalter’sheartbeatwhenhesawthattheMaidfollowedherhardatheel,andscarcemightheschoolhiseyesnottogazeover—eagerlyathisdearfriend。Shewascladevenasshewasbefore,andwaschangedinnowise,savethatlovetroubledherfacewhenshefirstbeheldhim,andshehadmuchadotomasterit:howbeittheMistressheedednotthetroubleofher,ormadenosemblanceofheedingit,tilltheMaiden’sfacewasallaccordingtoitswont。
ButthisWalterfoundstrange,thatafterallthatdisdainoftheMaid’sthralldomwhichhehadheardoftheMistress,andafterallthethreatsagainsther,nowwastheMistressbecomemildanddebonairetoher,asagoodladytohergoodmaiden。WhenWalterbowedthekneetoher,sheturneduntotheMaid,andsaid:\"Lookthou,myMaid,atthisfairnewSquirethatIhavegotten!Willnothebevaliantinthegreenwood?Andseewhetherhebewellshapenornot。Dothhenottouchthineheart,whenthouthinkestofallthewoe,andfear,andtroubleoftheWorldbeyondtheWood,whichhehathescaped,todwellinthislittlelandpeaceably,andwell—
belovedbothbytheMistressandtheMaid?Andthou,mySquire,lookalittleatthisfairslimMaiden,andsayifshepleaseththeenot:didstthoudeemthatwehadanythingsofairinthislonelyplace?\"
Frankandkindwasthesmileonherradiantvisage,nordidsheseemtonoteanywhitthetroubleonWalter’sface,norhowhestrovetokeephiseyesfromtheMaid。Asforher,shehadsowhollymasteredhercountenance,thatbelikesheusedherfaceguilefully,forshestoodasonehumblebuthappy,withasmileonherface,blushing,andwithherheadhungdownasifshamefacedbeforeagoodlyyoungman,astranger。
ButtheLadylookeduponherkindlyandsaid:\"Comehither,child,andfearnotthisfrankandfreeyoungman,whobelikefeareththeealittle,andfullcertainlyfearethme;andyetonlyafterthemannerofmen。\"
AndtherewithshetooktheMaidbythehandanddrewhertoher,andpressedhertoherbosom,andkissedhercheeksandherlips,andundidthelacingofhergownandbaredashoulderofher,andsweptawayherskirtfromherfeet;andthenturnedtoWalterandsaid:
\"Lothou,Squire!isnotthisalovelythingtohavegrownupamongstourroughoak—boles?What!artthoulookingattheironringthere?Itisnought,saveatokenthatsheismine,andthatI
maynotbewithouther。\"
ThenshetooktheMaidbytheshouldersandturnedheraboutasinsport,andsaid:\"Gothounow,andbringhitherthegoodgreyones;
forneedsmustwebringhomesomevenisonto—day,whereasthisstoutwarriormaynotfeedonnoughtsavemanchetsandhoney。\"
SotheMaidwentherway,takingcare,asWalterdeemed,togivenosideglancetohim。Buthestoodthereshamefaced,soconfusedwithallthisopenheartedkindnessofthegreatLadyandwiththefreshsightofthedarlingbeautyoftheMaid,thathewentnightothinkingthatallhehadheardsincehehadcometotheporchofthehousethatfirsttimewasbutadreamofevil。
Butwhilehestoodponderingthesematters,andstaringbeforehimasonemazed,theLadylaughedoutinhisface,andtouchedhimonthearmandsaid:\"Ah,ourSquire,isitsothatnowthouhastseenmyMaidthouwouldstwithagoodwillabidebehindtotalkwithher?
Butcalltomindthywordpledgedtomee’ennow!AndmoreoverI
telltheethisforthybehoofnowsheisoutofear—shot,thatI
willaboveallthingstaketheeawayto—day:fortherebeothereyes,andtheynoughtuncomely,thatlookatwhilesonmyfair—
ankledthrall;andwhoknowsbuttheswordsmightbeoutifItakenotthebetterheed,andgivetheenoteverywhitofthywill。\"
Asshespokeandmovedforward,heturnedalittle,sothatnowtheedgeofthathazel—coppicewaswithinhiseye—shot,andhedeemedthatoncemorehesawtheyellow—brownevilthingcrawlingforthfromthethicket;then,turningsuddenlyontheLady,hemethereyes,andseemedinonemomentoftimetofindafarotherlookinthemthanthatoffranknessandkindness;thoughinaflashtheychangedbackagain,andshesaidmerrilyandsweetly:\"So,so,SirSquire,nowartthouawakeagain,andmayestforalittlewhilelookonme。\"
Nowitcameintohishead,withthatlookofhers,allthatmightbefallhimandtheMaidifhemasterednothispassion,nordidwhathemighttodissemble;sohebentthekneetoher,andspokeboldlytoherinherownvein,andsaid:\"Nay,mostgraciousofladies,neverwouldIabidebehindto—daysincethoufarestafield。Butifmyspeechbehampered,ormineeyesstray,isitnotbecausemymindisconfusedbythybeauty,andthehoneyofkindwordswhichflowethfromthymouth?\"
Shelaughedoutrightathisword,butnotdisdainfully,andsaid:
\"Thisiswellspoken,Squire,andevenwhatasquireshouldsaytohisliegelady,whenthesunisuponafairmorning,andsheandheandalltheworldareglad。\"
Shestoodquitenearhimasshespoke,herhandwasonhisshoulder,andhereyesshoneandsparkled。Soothtosay,thatexcusingofhisconfusionwaslikeenoughinseemingtothetruth;forsurenevercreaturewasfashionedfairerthanshe:cladshewasforthegreenwoodasthehunting—goddessoftheGentiles,withhergreengowngathereduntohergirdle,andsandalsonherfeet;abowinherhandandaquiveratherback:shewastallerandbiggeroffashionthanthedearMaiden,whiterofflesh,andmoreglorious,andbrighterofhair;asaflowerofflowersforfairnessandfragrance。
Shesaid:\"Thouartverilyafairsquirebeforethehuntisup,andifthoubeasgoodinthehunting,allwillbebetterthanwell,andtheguestwillbewelcome。Butlo!herecomethourMaidwiththegoodgreyones。Gomeether,andwewilltarrynolongerthanforthytakingtheleashinhand。\"
SoWalterlooked,andsawtheMaidcomingwithtwocoupleofgreathoundsintheleashstrainingagainstherasshecamealong。Heranlightlytomeether,wonderingifheshouldhavealook,orahalf—
whisperfromher;butshelethimtakethewhitethongsfromherhand,withthesamehalf—smileofshamefacednessstillsetonherface,and,goingpasthim,camesoftlyuptotheLady,swayinglikeawillow—branchinthewind,andstoodbeforeher,withherarmshangingdownbyhersides。ThentheLadyturnedtoher,andsaid:
\"Looktothyself,ourMaid,whileweareaway。Thisfairyoungmanthouneedestnottofearindeed,forheisgoodandleal;butwhatthoushaltdowiththeKing’sSonIwotnot。Heisahotloverforsooth,butahardman;andwhilesevilishismood,andperilousbothtotheeandme。Andifthoudohiswill,itshallbeillforthee;andifthoudoitnot,takeheedofhim,andletme,andmeonly,comebetweenhiswrathandthee。Imaydosomewhatforthee。
Evenyesterdayhewasinstantwithmetohavetheechastisedafterthemannerofthralls;butIbadehimkeepsilenceofsuchwords,andjeeredhimandmockedhim,tillhewentawayfrommepeevishandinanger。Solooktoitthatthoufallnotintoanytrapofhiscontrivance。\"
ThentheMaidcastherselfattheMistress’sfeet,andkissedandembracedthem;andassheroseup,theLadylaidherhandlightlyonherhead,andthen,turningtoWalter,criedout:\"Now,Squire,letusleaveallthesetroublesandwilesanddesiresbehindus,andflitthroughthemerrygreenwoodliketheGentilesofolddays。\"
Andtherewithshedrewupthelapsofhergowntillthewhitenessofherkneeswasseen,andsetoffswiftlytowardthewoodthatlaysouthofthehouse,andWalterfollowed,marvellingathergoodliness;nordursthecastalookbackwardtotheMaiden,forheknewthatshedesiredhim,anditwasheronlythathelookedtoforhisdeliverancefromthishouseofguileandlies。
CHAPTERXIV:THEHUNTINGOFTHEHART
Astheywent,theyfoundachangeintheland,whichgrewemptierofbigandwide—spreadingtrees,andmorebesetwiththickets。Fromoneofthesetheyrousedahart,andWalterletsliphishoundsthereafterandheandtheLadyfollowedrunning。Exceedingswiftwasshe,andwell—breathedwithal,sothatWalterwonderedather;
andeagershewasinthechaseastheveryhounds,heedingnothingthescratchingofbriarsorthewhippingofstifftwigsasshespedon。Butforalltheireagerhunting,thequarryoutranbothdogsandfolk,andgathimintoagreatthicket,amidmostwhereofwasawideplashofwater。Intothethickettheyfollowedhim,buthetooktothewaterundertheireyesandmadelandontheotherside;
andbecauseofthetangleofunderwood,heswamacrossmuchfasterthantheymighthaveanyhopetocomeroundonhim;andsowerethehuntersleftundoneforthattime。
SotheLadycastherselfdownonthegreengrassanighthewater,whileWalterblewthehoundsinandcoupledthemup;thenheturnedroundtoher,andlo!shewasweepingfordespitethattheyhadlostthequarry;andagaindidWalterwonderthatsolittleamattershouldraiseapassionoftearsinher。Hedurstnotaskwhatailedher,orprofferhersolace,butwasnotillapaidbybeholdingherlovelinessasshelay。
PresentlysheraisedupherheadandturnedtoWalter,andspaketohimangrilyandsaid:\"Squire,whydostthoustandstaringatmelikeafool?\"
\"Yea,Lady,\"hesaid;\"butthesightoftheemakethmefoolishtodoaughtelsebuttolookonthee。\"
Shesaid,inapeevishvoice:\"Tush,Squire,thedayistoofarspentforsoftandcourtlyspeeches;whatwasgoodthereisnoughtsogoodhere。Withal,Iknowmoreofthineheartthanthoudeemest。\"
Walterhungdownhisheadandreddened,andshelookedonhim,andherfacechanged,andshesmiledandsaid,kindlythistime:\"Lookye,Squire,Iamhotandweary,andill—content;butpresentlyitwillbebetterwithme;formykneeshavebeentellingmyshouldersthatthecoldwaterofthislittlelakewillbesweetandpleasantthissummernoonday,andthatIshallforgetmyfoilwhenIhavetakenmypleasuretherein。Wherefore,gothouwiththinehoundswithoutthethicketandthereabidemycoming。AndIbidtheelooknotabackasthougoest,forthereinwereperiltothee:Ishallnotkeeptheetarryinglongalone。\"
Hebowedhisheadtoher,andturnedandwenthisways。Andnow,whenhewasalittlespaceawayfromher,hedeemedherindeedamarvelofwomen,andwellnighforgatallhisdoubtsandfearsconcerningher,whethershewereafairimagefashionedoutofliesandguile,oritmightbebutanevilthingintheshapeofagoodlywoman。Forsooth,whenhesawhercaressingthedearandfriendlyMaid,hisheartallturnedagainsther,despitewhathiseyesandhisearstoldhismind,andsheseemedlikeasitwereaserpentenfoldingthesimplicityofthebodywhichheloved。
Butnowitwasallchanged,andhelayonthegrassandlongedforhercoming;whichwasdelayedforsomewhatmorethananhour。Thenshecamebacktohim,smilingandfreshandcheerful,hergreengownletdowntoherheels。
Hespranguptomeether,andshecameclosetohim,andspakefromalaughingface:\"Squire,hastthounomeatinthywallet?For,meseemeth,Ifedtheewhenthouwerthungrytheotherday;dothounowthesamebyme。\"
Hesmiled,andloutedtoher,andtookhiswalletandbroughtoutthencebreadandfleshandwine,andspreadthemalloutbeforeheronthegreengrass,andthenstoodbyhumblybeforeher。Butshesaid:\"Nay,mySquire,sitdownbymeandeatwithme,forto—dayarewebothhunterstogether。\"
Sohesatdownbyhertrembling,butneitherforaweofhergreatness,norforfearandhorrorofherguileandsorcery。
Awhiletheysattheretogetheraftertheyhaddonetheirmeat,andtheLadyfella—talkingwithWalterconcerningthepartsoftheearth,andthemannersofmen,andofhisjourneyingstoandfro。
Atlastshesaid:\"Thouhasttoldmemuchandansweredallmyquestionswisely,andasmygoodSquireshould,andthatpleasethme。Butnowtellmeofthecitywhereinthouwertbornandbred;acitywhereofthouhasthithertotoldmenought。\"
\"Lady,\"hesaid,\"itisafairandagreatcity,andtomanyitseemethlovely。ButIhaveleftit,andnowitisnothingtome。\"
\"Hastthounotkindredthere?\"saidshe。
\"Yea,\"saidhe,\"andfoemenwithal;andafalsewomanwaylayethmylifethere。\"
\"Andwhatwasshe?\"saidtheLady。
SaidWalter:\"Shewasbutmywife。\"
\"Wasshefair?\"saidtheLady。
Walterlookedonherawhile,andthensaid:\"Iwasgoingtosaythatshewaswellnighasfairasthou;butthatmayscarcebe。Yetwassheveryfair。Butnow,kindandgraciousLady,Iwillsaythiswordtothee:ImarvelthatthouaskestsomanythingsconcerningthecityofLangtononHolm,whereIwasborn,andwherearemykindredyet;formeseemeththatthouknowestitthyself。\"
\"Iknowit,I?\"saidtheLady。
\"What,then!thouknowestitnot?\"saidWalter。
SpaketheLady,andsomeofherolddisdainwasinherwords:\"DostthoudeemthatIwanderabouttheworldanditscheaping—steadslikeoneofthechap—men?Nay,IdwellintheWoodbeyondtheWorld,andnowhereelse。Whathathputthiswordintothymouth?\"
Hesaid:\"Pardonme,Lady,ifIhavemisdone;butthusitwas:
Mineowneyesbeheldtheegoingdownthequaysofourcity,andthenceaship—board,andtheshipsailedoutofthehaven。Andfirstofallwentastrangedwarf,whomIhaveseenhere,andthenthyMaid;andthenwentthygraciousandlovelybody。\"
TheLady’sfacechangedashespoke,andsheturnedredandthenpale,andsetherteeth;butsherefrainedher,andsaid:\"Squire,Iseeoftheethatthouartnoliar,norlightofwit,thereforeI
supposethatthouhastverilyseensomeappearanceofme;butneverhaveIbeeninLangton,northoughtthereof,norknownthatsuchasteadtherewasuntilthounamedstite’ennow。Wherefore,Ideemthatanenemyhathcasttheshadowofmeontheairofthatland。\"
\"Yea,myLady,\"saidWalter;\"andwhatenemymightestthouhavetohavedonethis?\"
Shewasslowofanswer,butspakeatlastfromaquiveringmouthofanger:\"Knowestthounotthesaw,thataman’sfoesaretheyofhisownhouse?IfIfindoutforatruthwhohathdonethis,thesaidenemyshallhaveanevilhourwithme。\"
Againshewassilent,andsheclenchedherhandsandstrainedherlimbsintheheatofheranger;sothatWalterwasafraidofher,andallhismisgivingscamebacktohisheartagain,andherepentedthathehadtoldhersomuch。Butinalittlewhileallthattroubleandwrathseemedtoflowoffher,andagainwassheofgoodcheer,andkindandsweettohimandshesaid:\"Butinsooth,howeveritmaybe,Ithankthee,mySquireandfriend,fortellingmehereof。AndsurelynowytedoIlayonthee。And,moreover,isitnotthisvisionwhichhathbroughttheehither?\"
\"Soitis,Lady,\"saidhe。
\"Thenhavewetothankit,\"saidtheLady,\"andthouartwelcometoourland。\"
Andtherewithsheheldoutherhandtohim,andhetookitonhiskneesandkissedit:andthenitwasasifared—hotironhadrunthroughhisheart,andhefeltfaint,andboweddownhishead。Butheheldherhandyet,andkisseditmanytimes,andthewristandthearm,andknewnotwherehewas。
Butshedrewalittleawayfromhim,andaroseandsaid:\"Nowisthedaywearing,andifwearetobearbackanyvenisonwemustbuckletothework。Soarise,Squire,andtakethehoundsandcomewithme;fornotfaroffisalittlethicketwhichmostlyharboursfoisonofdeer,greatandsmall。Letuscomeourways。\"
CHAPTERXV:THESLAYINGOFTHEQUARRY
Sotheywalkedonquietlythencesomehalfamile,andevertheLadywouldhaveWaltertowalkbyherside,andnotfollowalittlebehindher,aswasmeetforaservanttodo;andshetouchedhishandatwhilesassheshowedhimbeastandfowlandtree,andthesweetnessofherbodyovercamehim,sothatforawhilehethoughtofnothingsaveher。
Nowwhentheywerecometothethicket—side,sheturnedtohimandsaid:\"Squire,Iamnoillwoodman,sothatthoumaysttrustmethatweshallnotbebroughttoshamethesecondtime;andIshalldosagely;sonockanarrowtothybow,andabidemehere,andstirnothence;forIshallenterthisthicketwithoutthehounds,andarousethequarryforthee;andseethatthoubebriskandclean—
shooting,andthenshaltthouhavearewardofme。\"
Therewithshedrewupherskirtsthroughhergirdleagain,tookherbentbowinherhand,anddrewanarrowoutofthequiver,andsteppedlightlyintothethicket,leavinghimlongingforthesightofher,ashehearkenedtothetreadofherfeetonthedryleaves,andtherustlingofthebrakeasshethrustthroughit。
Thushestoodforafewminutes,andthenheheardakindofgibberingcrywithoutwords,yetasofawoman,comingfromthethicket,andwhilehisheartwasyetgatheringthethoughtthatsomethinghadgoneamiss,heglidedswiftly,butwithlittlestir,intothebrake。
HehadgonebutalittlewayerehesawtheLadystandingthereinanarrowclearing,herfacepaleasdeath,herkneescleavingtogether,herbodyswayingandtottering,herhandshangingdown,andthebowandarrowfallentotheground;andtenyardsbeforeheragreat—headedyellowcreaturecrouchingflattotheearthandslowlydrawingnigher。
Hestoppedshort;onearrowwasalreadynotchedtothestring,andanotherhungloosetothelesserfingersofhisstring—hand。Heraisedhisrighthand,anddrewandloosedinatwinkling;theshaftflewclosetotheLady’sside,andstraightwayallthewoodrungwithahugeroar,astheyellowlionturnedabouttobiteattheshaftwhichhadsunkdeepintohimbehindtheshoulder,asifaboltoutoftheheavenshadsmittenhim。ButstraightwayhadWalterloosedagain,andthen,throwingdownhisbow,heranforwardwithhisdrawnswordgleaminginhishand,whilethelionwelteredandrolled,buthadnomighttomoveforward。ThenWalterwentuptohimwarilyandthrusthimthroughtotheheart,andleaptaback,lestthebeastmightyethavelifeinhimtosmite;buthelefthisstruggling,hishugevoicediedout,andhelaytheremovelessbeforethehunter。
Walterabodealittle,facinghim,andthenturnedabouttotheLady,andshehadfallendowninaheapwhereasshestood,andlaythereallhuddledupandvoiceless。Sohekneltdownbyher,andliftedupherhead,andbadeherarise,forthefoewasslain。Andafteralittleshestretchedoutherlimbs,andturnedaboutonthegrass,andseemedtosleep,andthecolourcameintoherfaceagain,anditgrewsoftandalittlesmiling。Thusshelayawhile,andWaltersatbyherwatchingher,tillatlastsheopenedhereyesandsatup,andknewhim,andsmilingonhimsaid:\"Whathathbefallen,Squire,thatIhavesleptanddreamed?\"
Heanswerednothing,tillhermemorycamebacktoher,andthenshearose,tremblingandpale,andsaid:\"Letusleavethiswood,fortheEnemyistherein。\"
Andshehastenedawaybeforehimtilltheycameoutatthethicket—
sidewhereasthehoundshadbeenleft,andtheywerestandingthereuneasyandwhining;soWaltercoupledthem,whiletheLadystayednot,butwentawayswiftlyhomeward,andWalterfollowed。
Atlastshestayedherswiftfeet,andturnedroundonWalter,andsaid:\"Squire,comehither。\"
Sodidhe,andshesaid:\"Iamwearyagain;letussitunderthisquicken—tree,andrestus。\"
Sotheysatdown,andshesatlookingbetweenherkneesawhile;andatlastshesaid:\"Whydidstthounotbringthelion’shide?\"
Hesaid:\"Lady,Iwillgobackandflaythebeast,andbringonthehide。\"
Andhearosetherewith,butshecaughthimbytheskirtsanddrewhimdown,andsaid:\"Nay,thoushaltnotgo;abidewithme。Sitdownagain。\"
Hedidso,andshesaid:\"Thoushaltnotgofromme;forIamafraid:Iamnotusedtolookingonthefaceofdeath。\"
Shegrewpaleasshespoke,andsetahandtoherbreast,andsatsoawhilewithoutspeaking。Atlastsheturnedtohimsmiling,andsaid:\"HowwasitwiththeaspectofmewhenIstoodbeforetheperiloftheEnemy?\"Andshelaidahanduponhis。
\"Ograciousone,\"quothhe,\"thouwert,asever,fulllovely,butI
fearedforthee。\"
Shemovednotherhandfromhis,andshesaid:\"GoodandtrueSquire,IsaidereIenteredthethickete’ennowthatIwouldrewardtheeifthouslewestthequarry。Heisdead,thoughthouhastlefttheskinbehinduponthecarcase。Asknowthyreward,buttaketimetothinkwhatitshallbe。\"
Hefeltherhandwarmuponhis,anddrewinthesweetodourofhermingledwiththewoodlandscentsunderthehotsunoftheafternoon,andhisheartwascloudedwithmanlikedesireofher。Anditwasanearthingbuthehadspoken,andcravedofhertherewardofthefreedomofherMaid,andthathemightdepartwithherintootherlands;butashismindwaveredbetwixtthisandthat,theLady,whohadbeeneyeinghimkeenly,drewherhandawayfromhim;andtherewithdoubtandfearflowedintohismind,andherefrainedhimofspeech。
Thenshelaughedmerrilyandsaid:\"ThegoodSquireisshamefaced;
hefearethaladymorethanalion。WillitbearewardtotheeifIbidtheetokissmycheek?\"
Therewithsheleanedherfacetowardhim,andhekissedherwell—
favouredly,andthensatgazingonher,wonderingwhatshouldbetidetohimonthemorrow。
Thenshearoseandsaid:\"Come,Squire,andletushome;benotabashed,thereshallbeotherrewardshereafter。\"
Sotheywenttheirwaysquietly;anditwasnighsunsetagainsttheyenteredthehouseagain。WalterlookedroundfortheMaid,butbeheldhernot;andtheLadysaidtohim:\"Igotomychamber,andnowisthyserviceoverforthisday。\"
Thenshenoddedtohimfriendlyandwentherways。
CHAPTERXVI:OFTHEKING’SSONANDTHEMAID
ButasforWalter,hewentoutofthehouseagain,andfaredslowlyoverthewoodlawnstillhecametoanotherclosethicketorbrake;
heenteredfrommerewantonness,orthathemightbethemoreapartandhidden,soastothinkoverhiscase。Therehelaydownunderthethickboughs,butcouldnotsoherdhisthoughtsthattheywoulddwellsteadyinlookingintowhatmightcometohimwithinthenextdays;rathervisionsofthosetwowomenandthemonsterdidbutfloatbeforehim,andfearanddesireandthehopeofliferantoandfroinhismind。
Ashelaythusheheardfootstepsdrawingnear,andhelookedbetweentheboughs,andthoughthesunhadjustset,hecouldseeclosebyhimamanandawomangoingslowly,andtheyhandinhand;
atfirsthedeemeditwouldbetheKing’sSonandtheLady,butpresentlyhesawthatitwastheKing’sSonindeed,butthatitwastheMaidwhomhewasholdingbythehand。Andnowhesawofhimthathiseyeswerebrightwithdesire,andofherthatshewasverypale。Yetwhenheheardherbegintospeak,itwasinasteadyvoicethatshesaid:\"King’sSon,thouhastthreatenedmeoftandunkindly,andnowthouthreatenestmeagain,andnolessunkindly。
Butwhateverwerethyneedhereinbefore,nowistherenomoreneed;
formyMistress,ofwhomthouwertweary,isnowgrownwearyofthee,andbelikewillnotnowrewardmefordrawingthylovetome,asonceshewouldhavedone;towit,beforethecomingofthisstranger。ThereforeIsay,sinceIambutathrall,poorandhelpless,betwixtyoutwomightyones,Ihavenochoicebuttodothywill。\"
Asshespokeshelookedallroundabouther,asonedistraughtbytheanguishoffear。Walter,amidstofhiswrathandgrief,hadwellnighdrawnhisswordandrushedoutofhislairupontheKing’sSon。Buthedeemeditsurethat,sodoing,heshouldundotheMaidaltogether,andhimselfalsobelike,soherefrainedhim,thoughitwereahardmatter。
TheMaidhadstayedherfeetnowclosetowhereWalterlay,somefiveyardsfromhimonly,andhedoubtedwhethershesawhimnotfromwhereshestood。AstotheKing’sSon,hewassointentupontheMaid,andsogreedyofherbeauty,thatitwasnotlikethathesawanything。
NowmoreoverWalterlooked,anddeemedthathebeheldsomethingthroughthegrassandbrackenontheothersideofthosetwo,anuglybrownandyellowbody,which,ifitwerenotsomebeastofthefoumartkind,mustneedsbethemonstrousdwarf,oroneofhiskin;
andthefleshcreptuponWalter’sboneswiththehorrorofhim。ButtheKing’sSonspokeuntotheMaid:\"Sweetling,Ishalltakethegiftthougivestme,neithershallIthreatentheeanymore,howbeitthougivestitnotverygladlyorgraciously。\"
Shesmiledonhimwithherlipsalone,forhereyeswerewanderingandhaggard。\"Mylord,\"shesaid,\"isnotthisthemannerofwomen?\"
\"Well,\"hesaid,\"IsaythatIwilltakethyloveevensogiven。
Yetletmehearagainthatthoulovestnotthatvilenewcomer,andthatthouhastnotseenhim,savethismorningalongwithmyLady。
Naynow,thoushaltswearit。\"
\"WhatshallIswearby?\"shesaid。
Quothhe,\"Thoushaltswearbymybody;\"andtherewithhethrusthimselfcloseupagainsther;butshedrewherhandfromhis,andlaiditonhisbreast,andsaid:\"Iswearitbythybody。\"
Hesmiledonherlicorously,andtookherbytheshoulders,andkissedherfacemanytimes,andthenstoodalooffromher,andsaid:
\"NowhaveIhadhansel:buttellme,whenshallIcometothee?\"
Shespokeoutclearly:\"Withinthreedaysatfurthest;Iwilldotheetowitofthedayandthehourto—morrow,orthedayafter。\"
Hekissedheroncemore,andsaid:\"Forgetitnot,orthethreatholdsgood。\"
Andtherewithheturnedaboutandwenthiswaystowardthehouse;
andWaltersawtheyellow—brownthingcreepingafterhiminthegatheringdusk。
AsfortheMaid,shestoodforawhilewithoutmoving,andlookingaftertheKing’sSonandthecreaturethatfollowedhim。ThensheturnedabouttowhereWalterlayandlightlyputasidetheboughs,andWalterleaptup,andtheystoodfacetoface。Shesaidsoftlybuteagerly:\"Friend,touchmenotyet!\"
Hespakenot,butlookedonhersternly。Shesaid:\"Thouartangrywithme?\"
Stillhespakenot;butshesaid:\"Friend,thisatleastIwillpraythee;nottoplaywithlifeanddeath;withhappinessandmisery。Dostthounotremembertheoathwhichwesworeeachtoeachbutalittlewhileago?AnddostthoudeemthatIhavechangedinthesefewdays?Isthymindconcerningtheeandmethesameasitwas?Ifitbenotso,nowtellme。FornowhaveIthemindtodoasifneitherthounorIarechangedtoeachother,whoevermayhavekissedmineunwillinglips,orwhomsoeverthylipsmayhavekissed。
Butifthouhastchanged,andwiltnolongergivemethylove,norcravemine,thenshallthissteel\"(andshedrewasharpknifefromhergirdle)\"beforthefoolandthedastardwhohathmadetheewrothwithme,myfriend,andmyfriendthatIdeemedIhadwon。
Andthenletcomewhatwillcome!Butifthoubenoughtchanged,andtheoathyetholds,then,whenalittlewhilehathpassed,maywethrustallevilandguileandgriefbehindus,andlongjoyshallliebeforeus,andlonglife,andallhonourindeath:ifonlythouwiltdoasIbidthee,Omydear,andmyfriend,andmyfirstfriend!\"
Helookedonher,andhisbreastheavedupasallthesweetnessofherkindlovetookholdonhim,andhisfacechanged,andthetearsfilledhiseyesandranover,andraineddownbeforeher,andhestretchedouthishandtowardher。
Thenshesaidexceedingsweetly:\"NowindeedIseethatitiswellwithme,yea,andwiththeealso。Asorepainitistome,thatnotevennowmayItakethinehand,andcastminearmsaboutthee,andkissthelipsthatloveme。Butsoithastobe。Mydear,evensoIwerefaintostandherelongbeforethee,evenifwespakenomorewordtoeachother;butabidinghereisperilous;forthereiseveranevilspyuponmydoings,whohasnowasIdeemfollowedtheKing’sSontothehouse,butwhowillreturnwhenhehastrackedhimhomethither:sowemustsunder。Butbelikethereisyettimeforawordortwo:first,theredewhichIhadthoughtonforourdeliveranceisnowafoot,thoughIdurstnottelltheethereof,norhavetimethereto。ButthismuchshallItellthee,thatwhereasgreatisthecraftofmyMistressinwizardry,yetIalsohavesomelittlecrafttherein,andthis,whichshehathnot,tochangetheaspectoffolksoutterlythattheyseemotherthantheyverilyare;
yea,sothatonemayhavetheaspectofanother。Nowthenextthingisthis:whatsoevermyMistressmaybidthee,doherwillthereinwithnomorenay—sayingthanthoudeemestmaypleaseher。Andthenextthing:wheresoeverthoumaystmeetme,speaknottome,makenosigntome,evenwhenIseemtobeallalone,tillIstoopdownandtouchtheringonmyanklewithmyrighthand;butifIdoso,thenstaythee,withoutfail,tillIspeak。ThelastthingIwillsaytothee,dearfriend,erewebothgoourways,thisitis。Whenwearefree,andthouknowestallthatIhavedone,Ipraytheedeemmenotevilandwicked,andbenotwrothwithmeformydeed;
whereasthouwottestwellthatIamnotinlikeplightwithotherwomen。Ihaveheardtellthatwhentheknightgoethtothewar,andhathovercomehisfoesbytheshearingofswordsandguilefultricks,andhathcomebackhometohisownfolk,theypraisehimandblesshim,andcrownhimwithflowers,andboastofhimbeforeGodintheminsterforhisdeliveranceoffriendandfolkandcity。Whyshouldstthoubeworsetomethanthis?Nowisallsaid,mydearandmyfriend;farewell,farewell!\"
Therewithsheturnedandwentherwaystowardthehouseinallspeed,butmakingsomewhatofacompass。Andwhenshewasgone,Walterkneltdownandkissedtheplacewhereherfeethadbeen,andarosethereafter,andmadehiswaytowardthehouse,healso,butslowly,andstayingoftonhisway。
CHAPTERXVII:OFTHEHOUSEANDTHEPLEASANCEINTHEWOOD
OnthemorrowmorningWalterloiteredawhileaboutthehousetillthemornwasgrownold,andthenaboutnoonhetookhisbowandarrowsandwentintothewoodstothenorthward,togethimsomevenison。Hewentsomewhatfarereheshothimafawn,andthenhesathimdowntorestundertheshadeofagreatchestnut—tree,foritwasnotfarpastthehottestoftheday。Helookedaroundthenceandsawbelowhimalittledalewithapleasantstreamrunningthroughit,andhebethoughthimofbathingtherein,sohewentdownandhadhispleasureofthewaterandthewillowybanks;forhelaynakedawhileonthegrassbythelipofthewater,forjoyoftheflickeringshade,andthelittlebreezethatranoverthedown—longripplesofthestream。
Thenhedidonhisraiment,andbegantocomehiswaysupthebent,buthadscarcegonethreestepserehesawawomancomingtowardshimfromdownstream。Hisheartcameintohismouthwhenhesawher,forshestoopedandreacheddownherarm,asifshewouldlayherhandonherankle,sothatatfirsthedeemedithadbeentheMaid,butatthesecondeye—shothesawthatitwastheMistress。Shestoodstillandlookedonhim,sothathedeemedshewouldhavehimcometoher。Sohewenttomeether,andgrewsomewhatshamefacedashedrewnigher,andwonderedather,fornowwasshecladbutinonegarmentofsomedarkgreysilkystuff,embroideredwith,asitwere,agarlandofflowersaboutthemiddle,butwhichwassothinthat,asthewinddrifteditfromsideandlimb,ithidhernomore,butforthesaidgarland,thanifwaterwererunningoverher:herfacewasfullofsmilingjoyandcontentasshespaketohiminakind,caressingvoice,andsaid:\"Igivetheegoodday,goodSquire,andwellartthoumet。\"Andsheheldoutherhandtohim。
Hekneltdownbeforeherandkissedit,andabodestilluponhisknees,andhangingdownhishead。
Butshelaughedoutright,andstoopeddowntohim,andputherhandtohisarms,andraisedhimup,andsaidtohim:\"Whatisthis,mySquire,thatthoukneelesttomeastoanidol?\"
Hesaidfaltering:\"Iwotnot;butperchancethouartanidol;andIfearthee。\"
\"What!\"shesaid,\"morethanyesterday,whenasthousawestmeafraid?\"
Saidhe:\"Yea,forthatnowIseetheeunhidden,andmeseemeththerehathbeennonesuchsincetheolddaysoftheGentiles。\"
Shesaid:\"Hastthounotyetbethoughttheeofagifttocraveofme,arewardfortheslayingofmineenemy,andthesavingofmefromdeath?\"
\"OmyLady,\"hesaid,\"evensomuchwouldIhavedoneforanyotherlady,or,forsooth,foranypoorman;forsomymanhoodwouldhavebiddenme。Speaknotofgiftstomethen。Moreover\"(andhereddenedtherewith,andhisvoicefaltered),\"didstthounotgivememysweetrewardyesterday?WhatmoredurstIask?\"
Sheheldherpeaceawhile,andlookedonhimkeenly;andhereddenedunderhergaze。Thenwrathcameintoherface,andshereddenedandknitherbrows,andspaketohiminavoiceofanger,andsaid:
\"Nay,whatisthis?Itisgrowinginmymindthatthoudeemestthegiftofmeunworthy!Thou,analien,anoutcast;oneendowedwiththelittlewisdomoftheWorldwithouttheWood!AndhereIstandbeforethee,allgloriousinmynakedness,andsofulfilledofwisdom,thatIcanmakethiswildernesstoanywhomIlovemorefullofjoythanthekingdomsandcitiesoftheworld——andthou!——Ah,butitistheEnemythathathdonethis,andmadetheguilelessguileful!YetwillIhavetheupperhandatleast,thoughthousufferforit,andIsufferforthee。\"
Walterstoodbeforeherwithhanginghead,andheputforthhishandsasifprayingoffheranger,andponderedwhatanswerheshouldmake;fornowhefearedforhimselfandtheMaid;soatlasthelookeduptoher,andsaidboldly:\"Nay,Lady,Iknowwhatthywordsmean,whereasIrememberthyfirstwelcomeofme。Iwot,forsooth,thatthouwouldstcallmebase—born,andofnoaccount,andunworthytotouchthehemofthyraiment;andthatIhavebeenover—bold,andguiltytowardsthee;anddoubtlessthisissooth,andIhavedeservedthineanger:butIwillnotasktheetopardonme,forIhavedonebutwhatImustneeds。\"
Shelookedonhimcalmlynow,andwithoutanywrath,butratherasifshewouldreadwhatwaswritteninhisinmostheart。Thenherfacechangedintojoyousnessagain,andshesmoteherpalmstogether,andcriedout:\"Thisisbutfoolishtalk;foryesterdaydidIseethyvaliancy,andto—dayIhaveseenthygoodliness;andI
say,thatthoughthoumightestnotbegoodenoughforafoolwomanoftheearthlybaronage,yetartthougoodenoughforme,thewiseandthemighty,andthelovely。AndwhereasthousayestthatIgavetheebutdisdainwhenfirstthoucamesttous,grudgenotagainstmetherefor,becauseitwasdonebuttoprovethee;andnowthouartproven。\"
Thenagainhekneltdownbeforeher,andembracedherknees,andagainsheraisedhimup,andletherarmhangdownoverhisshoulder,andhercheekbrushhischeek;andshekissedhismouthandsaid:\"Herebyisallforgiven,boththineoffenceandmine;andnowcomethjoyandmerrydays。\"
Therewithhersmilingfacegrewgrave,andshestoodbeforehimlookingstatelyandgraciousandkindatonce,andshetookhishandandsaid:\"ThoumightestdeemmychamberintheGoldenHouseoftheWoodover—queenly,sincethouartnomasterfulman。Sonowhastthouchosenwelltheplacewhereintomeetmeto—day,forhardbyontheothersideofthestreamisabowerofpleasance,which,forsooth,noteveryonewhocomethtothislandmayfind;thereshallIbetotheeasoneoftheup—countrydamselsofthineownland,andthoushaltnotbeabashed。\"
Shesidleduptohimasshespoke,andwouldhe,wouldhenot,hersweetvoicetickledhisverysoulwithpleasure,andshelookedasideonhimhappyandwell—content。
SotheycrossedthestreambytheshallowbelowthepoolwhereinWalterhadbathed,andwithinalittletheycameuponatallfenceofflake—hurdles,andasimplegatetherein。TheLadyopenedthesame,andtheyenteredtherebyintoacloseallplantedasamostfairgarden,withhedgesofroseandwoodbine,andwithlinden—treesa—blossom,andlongwaysofgreengrassbetwixtbordersofliliesandclove—gilliflowers,andothersweetgarland—flowers。Andabranchofthestreamwhichtheyhadcrossederewhilewanderedthroughthatgarden;andinthemidstwasalittlehousebuiltofpostandpan,andthatchedwithyellowstraw,asifitwerenewdone。
ThenWalterlookedthiswayandthat,andwonderedatfirst,andtriedtothinkinhismindwhatshouldcomenext,andhowmatterswouldgowithhim;buthisthoughtwouldnotdwellsteadyonanyothermatterthanthebeautyoftheLadyamidstthebeautyofthegarden;andwithalshewasnowgrownsosweetandkind,andevensomewhattimidandshywithhim,thatscarcedidheknowwhosehandheheld,orwhosefragrantbosomandsleeksidewentsoclosetohim。
Sotheywanderedhereandtherethroughthewaningoftheday,andwhentheyenteredatlastintothecoolduskhouse,thentheylovedandplayedtogether,asiftheywereapairofloversguileless,withnofearforthemorrow,andnoseedsofenmityanddeathsownbetwixtthem。