Do ye go fetch hither our horses,
since we be on the road, and I will do here what need is meanwhile.
So they went on that errand, and then Hugh and Birdalone between them
dug a hole with the swords and laid the head of the captain of the
Red Knight therein. And forsooth, somewhat would Birdalone have wept
for him had she had a tear to spare.
Then they fell to and bound the dead Baudoin on the Red Knight's
mighty bay steed, so that no time might be wasted; and when that was
done, and the others had not come back with their horses, Hugh took
Birdalone's hand and led her down to the stream and washed the gore
off her bosom, and she washed her face and her hands and let him lead
her back again in such wise that now she could hearken to the words
of comfort he spake to her, and piteous kind he seemed unto her; so
that at last she plucked up heart, and asked him how Viridis did.
Quoth he: They be all safe at home in the castle, and Viridis is
well and loveth thee well. And Aurea was well, woe worth the while
for her now! As for Atra, she has not been so glad as the other
twain, I wot not wherefore.
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