He came to a pool a little below where a wooden foot-bridge
crossed the water, and about the pool were willows growing,
which had not been shrouded these eight years, and the water
was clear as glass with a bottom of fine sand. There then
he bathed him, and as he sported in the water he bethought him
of the long smooth reaches of Upmeads Water, and the swimming
low down amidst the long swinging weeds between the chuckle of
the reed sparrows, when the sun was new risen in the July morning.
When he stood on the grass again, what with the bright weather
and fair little land, what with the freshness of the water,
and his good rest, and the hope of adventure to come, he felt
as if he had never been merrier in his life-days. Withal it
was a weight off his heart that he had escaped from the turmoil
of the wars of the Burg of the Four Friths, and the men
of the Dry Tree, and the Wheat-wearers, with the thralldom
and stripes and fire-raising, and the hard life of strife
and gain of the walled town and strong place.
When he came back to the castle gate there was the carline in the wicket
peering out to right and left, seeking him to bring him in to dinner.
And when she saw him so joyous, with his lips smiling and his eyes dancing
for mirth, she also became joyous, and said: "Verily, it is a pity of thee
that there is never a fair damsel or so to look on thee and love thee
here to-day. Far would many a maiden run to kiss thy mouth, fair lad.
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