But he said to her: 'Fair damsel-at-arms, faithful is thy face, and
the fashion of thee is goodly: now art thou become one of the best
of our friends, and this is little enough to give thee; yet would we
fain ward thy body against the foeman; so grieve us not by gainsaying
us.'
And Bow-may was exceeding glad, and scarce knew how to cease handling
that marvel of ring-mail.
Then to Wood-wise Iron-face gave a most goodly sword, the blade all
marked with dark lines like the stream of an eddying river, the hilts
of steel and gold marvellously wrought; and all the work of a smith
who had dwelt in the house of his father's father, and was a great
warrior.
Unto Wood-father he gave a very goodly helm parcel-gilded; and to his
sons and the other folk fair gifts of weapons and jewels and girdles
and cups and other good things; so that their hearts were full of
joy, and they all praised his open hand.
Then some of the best and merriest of the kinsmen of the Face, and
Face-of-god with them, brought the Guests out into the street and
among the booths. There Face-of-god beheld the Bride again; and she
was standing by the booth of a chapman and dealing with him for a
piece of goodly silken cloth to be a gown for one of her guests, and
she was talking and smiling as she chaffered with him, as her wont
was; for she was ever very friendly of demeanour with all men.
Pages:
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400