Then she stayed him, and laughed sweetly in his face, and said:
"It is a long while now since the beginning of the June day,
and meseems I know thy lack, and the slaking of it lieth somewhat
nearer than Hampton under Scaur, which we shall not reach these two
days if we go afoot all the way."
"My lack?" said he; "I lack nought now, that I may not have when I will."
And he put his arms about her shoulders and strained her to his bosom.
But she strove with him, and freed herself and laughed outright,
and said: "Thou art a bold man, and rash, my knight, even unto me.
Yet must I see to it that thou die not of hunger." He said merrily:
"Yea, by St. Nicholas, true it is: a while ago I felt no hunger,
and had forgotten that men eat; for I was troubled with much longing,
and in doubt concerning my life; but now am I free and happy,
and hungry therewithal."
"Look," she said, pointing up to the heavens, "it is now
past two hours after noon; that is nigh two hours since we
left the lawn amidst the hazels, and thou longest to eat,
as is but right, so lovely as thou art and young; and I withal
long to tell thee something of that whereof thou hast asked me;
and lastly, it is the hottest of the day, yea, so hot,
that even Diana, the Wood-wife of yore agone, might have
fainted somewhat, if she had been going afoot as we twain
have been, and little is the risk of our resting awhile.
And hereby is a place where rest is good as regards the place,
whatever the resters may be; it is a little aside the straightest way,
but meseems we may borrow an hour or so of our journey,
and hope to pay it back ere nightfall.
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