Dismayed were we thereat; but more dismayed had we been but that we
deemed that all this was but a cheat and a painted show put upon us
by the witch to back up her lying. Nevertheless we fared the next
day to seek the wood and the cave in the sheer rock, but nowise might
we find either wood or cave.
Now it was the night of the day hereafter, as we went to our
chambers, that the witch-wife took me by the hand and led me apart,
and said me many soft things of her accursed lust, whereof I will not
say one again. But the upshot of it all was that she would bring me
to her chamber and her bed. And whereas I was determined what to do,
and had my war-sword by my side, I naysaid her not, but made her good
countenance. And when we came to her chamber, which was full
gloriously dight, and fragrant as with the scent of the roses and
lilies of mid-June, she bade me to lie in her bed of gold and ivory
and she would be with me anon. So I unclad myself and laid me down,
but I drew forth my sword, and laid the ancient naked blade betwixt
my side and her place.
Pages:
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393