But she said: Alas! that thou wilt
give me what I may not take, and wouldst have of me what I may not
give.
But now he waxed hotter, and said: This once I command thee to do my
will, and take my gift. It will be nought to my gain if thou take it
not; for I may not live in this house when thou art gone from it; and
I swear by All-hallows that I will not let any have it to hire, nor
will I sell it, since thou hast made it holy by dwelling therein.
Yet was she sore moved by his generous fashion, and she said: I will
take thy gift then, and live here in honour of thee and thy
friendship; for well I wot thou hadst no mind to buy me with thy
gift.
So she spake, and he stood up stark and stern, and so departed, and
kissed her not again; though meseems she would have suffered him had
he offered it. Nay, belike had he at that moment pressed his wooing
somewhat masterfully, it is not so sure but she might have yeasaid
it, and suffered him to wed her and lead her to bed; though it would
have gone ill both with him and with her thereafter.
Thenceforth dwelt Birdalone with her mother and her maidens and her
men in that house, and it became famous in the Five Crafts because of
her beauty and her wisdom, which minished not, but waxed day by day;
but therewithal as the time wore, waxed her longing and sadness.
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