Yea, I know her
sorrow, and see it and grieve for it: so canst not thou, unless thou
verily see her before thee, her face unhappy, and her voice changed
and hard. Well, I will tell thee what thou askest. When I drew thee
to me on the Mountain I thought but of the friendship and brotherhood
to be knitted up between our two Folks, nor did I anywise desire thy
love of a young man. But when I saw thee on the heath and in the
Hall that day, it pleased me to think that a man so fair and
chieftain-like should one day lie by my side; and again when I saw
that the love of me had taken hold of thee, I would not have thee
grieved because of me, but would have thee happy. And now what shall
I say?--I know not; I cannot tell. Yet am I the Friend, as erst I
called myself.
'And, Gold-mane, I have seen hitherto but the outward show and image
of thee, and though that be goodly, how would it be if thou didst
shame me with little-heartedness and evil deeds? Let me see thee in
the Folk-mote and the battle, and then may I answer thee.'
Then she held her peace, and he answered nothing; and she turned her
face from him and said:
'Out on it! have I beguiled myself as well as thee? These are but
empty words I have been saying.
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