Therefore I will take
thy bidding, and ride abroad in such wise that I shall scare the land
with an army, since no otherwise may I look on the summer land. But
to-day I will not go, nor to-morrow belike; but some day soon. And
in good sooth I thank thee for thy heedful care of me, and wish I
were better worth it. Nay, nay, thou shalt not kneel to me, but I to
thee: for thou art verily the master.
Therewith she rose from beside him, and knelt down before him and
took his hand and kissed it, and went her ways, leaving him ravished
with love of her. But now she had no scorn of him, but deemed, as
was true, that he was both valiant and trusty and kind, and she
thanked him in her heart as well as in words.
CHAPTER IV. OF BIRDALONE'S FARING ABROAD
Indeed Birdalone longed on any terms to be out-a-gates and to have
some joy of the summer; for now she began to see that she might have
to abide some while ere her friends should come to her in the Castle
of the Quest; and she was angry with herself that her longing was
thus wasting her, and she rebuked herself and said: Where is now
that Birdalone who let but few days go by without some joyance of the
earth and its creatures? she who bore lightly the toil of a thrall,
and gibes and mocking and stripes? Surely this is grievous folly,
that I should be worsened since I have come to be the friend of
gentle ladies, and noble champions, and mighty warriors.
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