Then came out of Burgstead men making semblance of chapmen with a
wain bearing wares, and they made as though they were wending down
the Portway westward to go out of the Dale. Then arose the weaponed
maidens and barred the way to them, and turned them back amidst
fresh-springing merriment.
Again in a while, when the sun was westering and the shadows growing
long, came herdsmen from down the Dale driving neat, and making as
though they would pass by into Burgstead, but to them also did the
maidens gainsay the road, so that needs must they turn back amidst
laughter and mockery, they themselves also laughing and mocking.
And so at last, when the maidens had been all alone a while, and it
was now hard on sunset, they drew together and stood in a ring, and
fell to singing; and one Gold-may of the House of the Bridge, a most
sweet singer, stood amidst their ring and led them. And this is
somewhat of the meaning of their words:
The sun will not tarry; now changeth the light,
Fail the colours that marry the Day to the Night.
Amid the sun's burning bright weapons we bore,
For this eve of our earning comes once and no more.
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