But he who would bicker, it must needs be with me. Here is a man of
the Dale, who hath sought the wood in peace, and hath found us. His
hand is ready and his heart is guileless: if ye fear him, run away
to the wood, and come back when he is gone; but none shall mock him
while I sit by: now, lads, be merry and blithe with the guest.'
Then the young men greeted Gold-mane, and the old man said: 'Art
thou of Burgstead? then wilt thou be of the House of the Face, and
thy name will be Face-of-god; for that man is called the fairest of
the Dale, and there shall be none fairer than thou.'
Face-of-god laughed and said: 'There be but few mirrors in Burgdale,
and I have no mind to journey west to the cities to see what manner
of man I be: that were ill husbandry. But now I have heard the
names of the three swains, tell me thy name, father!'
Spake the huntress: 'This is my father's brother, and his name is
Wood-father; or ye shall call him so: and I am called Bow-may
because I shoot well in the bow: and this old carline is my eme's
wife, and now belike my mother, if I need one. But thou, fair-faced
Dalesman, little dost thou need a mirror in the Dale so long as women
abide there; for their faces shall be instead of mirrors to tell thee
whether thou be fair and lovely.
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