Forsooth how shall I tell thee of myself, when, whatever I say,
thou shalt believe every word I tell thee? But O my heart,
how shouldest thou, so sweet and fair and good, be taken
with the love of an evil thing? At the least I will say this,
that whatsoever I have been, I am good to thee--I am good to thee,
and will be true to thee."
He drew her down to him as he knelt there, and took his arms about her,
and though she yet shrank from him a little and the eager flame of his love,
he might not be gainsayed, and she gave herself to him and let her
body glide into his arms, and loved him no less than he loved her.
And there between them in the wilderness was all the joy of love
that might be.
CHAPTER 2
They Break Their Fast in the Wildwood
Now when it was hard on noon, and they had lain long in
that grassy place, Ralph rose up and stood upon his feet,
and made as one listening. But the Lady looked on him and said:
"It is naught save a hart and his hind running in the wood;
yet mayhappen we were best on the road, for it is yet long."
"Yea," said Ralph, "and it may be that my master will
gather folk and pursue us." "Nay, nay," she said,
"that were to wrong him, to deem that he would gather folk
to follow one man; if he come, he will be by himself alone.
When he found us gone he doubtless cast himself on Silverfax,
my horse, in trust of the beast following after my feet."
"Well," said Ralph, "and if he come alone, there is yet a sword
betwixt him and thee.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199