As for the Sun-beam, she was clad in a white kirtle embroidered from
throat to hem with work of green boughs and flowers of the goodliest
fashion, and a garland of roses on her head. Dale-warden himself was
girt to her side by a girdle fair-wrought of golden wire, and she
bore no other weapon or war-gear; and she let him lie quiet in his
scabbard, nor touched the hilts once; whereas some of the other
damsels would be ever drawing their swords out and thrusting them
back. But all noted that goodly weapon, the yoke-fellow of so many
great deeds.
There then on the Portway, between the water and the rock-wall, rose
up plenteous and gleeful talk of clear voices shrill and soft; and
whiles the maidens sang, and whiles they told tales of old days, and
whiles they joined hands and danced together on the sweet summer dust
of the highway. Then they mostly grew aweary, and sat down on the
banks of the road or under their leafy bowers.
Noon came, and therewithal goodwives of the neighbouring Dale, who
brought them meat and drink, and fruit and fresh flowers from the
teeming gardens; and thereafter for a while they nursed their joy in
their bosoms, and spake but little and softly while the day was at
its hottest in the early afternoon.
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