Morfinn rode on quietly, and by then he came up, Ralph was
mounting again, and when he was in the saddle he turned
away his head from his fellow and said in a husky voice:
"Morfinn, I command thee, or if thou wilt I beseech thee,
that thou speak not to me again of this woman whom I am seeking;
for it moveth me over much." "That is well, lord," said Morfinn,
"I will do after thy command; and there be many other matters
to speak of besides one fair woman."
Then they rode on soberly a while, and Ralph kept silence,
as he rode pondering much; but the minstrel hummed snatches
of rhyme as he rode the way.
But at last Ralph turned to him suddenly and said: "Tell me,
way-leader, in what wise did they seem to be using that woman?"
The minstrel chuckled: "Fair lord," said he, "if I had a mind
for mocking I might say of thee that thou blowest both hot
and cold, since it was but half an hour ago that thou badest me
speak naught of her: but I deem that I know thy mind herein:
so I will tell thee that they seemed to be using her courteously;
as is no marvel; for who would wish to mar so fair an image?
O, it will be well with her: I noted that the Lord seemed
to think it good to ride beside her, and eye her all over.
Yea, she shall have a merry life of it if she but do somewhat
after the Lord's will."
Ralph looked askance at him fiercely, but the other heeded it naught:
then said Ralph, "And how if she do not his will?" Said Morfinn, grinning:
"Then hath my Lord a many servants to do his will.
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