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Water of the Wondrous Isles, The
Part 6. The Days Of Absence   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 7. Birdalone Cometh To Greenford...
William Morris
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       _ THE SIXTH PART. THE DAYS OF ABSENCE
       CHAPTER VII. BIRDALONE COMETH TO GREENFORD, AND HEARS OF THE WASTING OF THE CASTLE OF THE QUEST
       Now came Birdalone riding into Greenford an hour before sunset on a day of the latter end of May; and she had no doubt but to go straight to the hostelry, and that the less as she had not abided there before, as hath been told. To them that served her she told the tale of her vow, that she might not do off her sallet that seven days; and some trowed her, and some deemed her a woman, but whereas she seemed by her raiment to be of condition none meddled with her. Moreover, as she told her intent to ride on betimes in the morning, it mattered the less unto them: withal she gave out that she came from foreign parts, as sooth it was.
       In the evening she sat in the hall, and with her were three chapmen travelling with their wares, and two good men of the town sitting; and they were talking together, and were courteous and blithe, and amidst their talk they threw many a glance at the slim and fair young squire, as Birdalone seemed, and were fain to speak unto him, but refrained them for courtesy's sake. For her part, Birdalone longed sore to ask them somewhat of the Castle of the Quest, but the words clave to her throat for very fear; and she sat restless and ill at ease. However at last said a townsman to a chapman: Art thou for the Red Hold, Master Peter, when thou art done here? Birdalone turned very pale at that word; and Master Peter spake: Yea, surely, neighbour, if the folk leave aught in my packs for others to buy. He spake in a jovial voice, as if he were merry, and the others all laughed together, as though they were well pleased and in good contentment. And now, deemed Birdalone, would be her time to speak if she would learn aught; so she constrained herself at last, and spake, though in a quavering voice: Meseems then, masters, this good town is thriving as now? This I ask because I am a stranger in these parts this long while, and now I am come back hither fain were I to find the land in good peace; for I may chance to take up my abode hereby.
       The goodmen turned to her and smiled kindly when they heard the sweetness of her voice; and one of them said: Sir of the sallet, ye shall be content with the peace in this land, and the thriving of its folk; the very villeins hereabout live as well as franklins in most lands, and the yeomen and vavassours are clad as if they were knights of a good lord's household. Forsooth their houses are both goodly and easy to enter; and well is that, whereas there lacks never good meat and drink on the board therein. And moreover their women are for ever seeking whatso is fair and goodly, whatso is far-fetched and dear-bought, whereof we chapmen also thrive, as thou mayst well deem. Ah! it is a goodly land now!
       The others nodded and smiled. But Birdalone spake, hardening her heart thereto for very need: Belike then there is a change of days here, for when I last knew of the land there was little peace therein. And that will not be so long agone, said a townsman, smiling, for I doubt we should see no grey hair in thine head if thy sallet were off it. Birdalone reddened: It will be some five years agone, said she. Yea, yea, said the townsman, we were beginning to end the unpeace then, and it was the darkest hour before the dawn; for five years agone we and the good knights of the Castle of the Quest were lying before the walls of the Red Hold. Forsooth we cleared out that den of devils then and there. What betid unto it after ye won it? said Birdalone, and she trembled withal. Said the townsman: Heard ye never of the Black Squire, a very valiant knight, since thou sayest that thou hast known this country-side? She bowed a yeasay, for this time she found it hard to speak.
       Well, said the townsman, we held garrison in the Red Hold for some three months, and thereafter we craved of him to come and be our captain therein; for, even after the Hold was won, there was yet a sort of runagates that haunted the country-side, men who had no craft save lifting and slaying. And forsooth we knew this Lord Arthur for the keenest and deftest of men-at-arms; so he yeasaid our asking, and did all he might herein, and forsooth that was all there was to do; for he was ever in the saddle, and at the work. Forsooth he was not a merry man, save when he was at his busiest; and little he spake in hall or chamber, else had he been better beloved. But at least by no man better might the land have been served.
       There was silence a little, and Birdalone waxed deadly pale; then she strove with herself and said: Thou sayest he was and he was; is he dead then? Said the townsman: Not to our knowledge. When he had brought the land into good peace, which is some three years and a half agone, he went his ways from the Red Hold all alone, and we saw him no more. But some folk deem that he hath entered into religion.
       Birdalone's heart sickened, and she thought to herself that now all was to begin again; yet she felt that the worst was over since he was not dead, and she was able to think what she should do. So she said: Mayhappen he hath gone back to the Castle of the Quest? Nay, nay, said the townsman, that may not be; for waste is that house now; there is none dwelleth there, save, it may be, now and again a wandering carle or carline abideth there a day or two. Said Birdalone: How hath that befallen? or where is gone Sir Hugh, the Green Knight? Said the townsman: We knew the Green Knight well; frank and free and joyous was he; all men loved him; and his lady and speech-friend, none ever saw a lovelier, and as kind as was he. But we might not keep them with us; they are gone into their own country. Sir Hugh left the Castle of the Quest some three months after the Black Squire came to us for captain, and he gave over the castle to Sir Geoffrey of Lea, an old and wise man of war. But not many months thereafter we heard that he also had departed, leaving it ungarnished of men; and we deem that the cause thereof is that something uncouth is seen and heard therein, which folk may not endure. Is it not so, my masters?
       They all yeasaid that, and the talk went on to other matters. As for Birdalone, though her hope to come amongst friends was so utterly overthrown, yet she saw not what to do save to go her ways to the Castle of the Quest, and see if perchance she might find any tidings there. And she said to herself, that if the worst came to the worst, she would herself dwell there as an hermit of love; or, maybe, to face those uncouth things and see if any tidings might be compelled out of them. _
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Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 1. Catch At Utterhay
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 2. Now Shall Be Told Of The House By The Water-Side
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 3. Of Skin-Changing
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 4. Of The Waxing Of The Stolen Child
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 5. Of Birdalone, And How She Is Grown Into Maidenhood
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 6. Herein Is Told Of Birdalone's Raiment
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 7. Birdalone Hath An Adventure In The Wood
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 8. Of Birdalone And The Witch-Wife
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 9. Of Birdalone's Swimming
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 10. Birdalone Comes On New Tidings
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 11. Of Birdalone's Guilt And The Chastisement Thereof
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 12. The Words Of The Witch-Wife To Birdalone
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 13. Birdalone Meeteth The Wood-Woman Again
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 14. Of Birdalone's Fishing
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 15. Birdalone Weareth Her Serpent-Ring
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 16. Birdalone Meeteth Habundia Again...
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 17. The Passing Of The Year Into Winter
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 18. Of Spring-Tide And The Mind Of Birdalone
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 19. They Bid Farewell...
   Part 1. Of The House Of Captivity - Chapter 20. Of Birdalone And The Sending Boat
Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 1. The First Isle
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 2. Birdalone Falleth In With New Friends
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 3. Birdalone Is Brought Before The Witch-Wife's Sister
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 4. Of The Witch's Prison In The Wailing-Tower
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 5. They Feast In The Witch's Prison
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 6. Atra Tells Of How They Three Came Unto The Isle Of Increase Unsought
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 7. The Three Damsels...
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 8. In What Wise Birdalone Was Clad...
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 9. How Birdalone Came To The Isle...
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 10. Birdalone Comes To The Isle Of The Queens
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 11. And Now She Comes To The Isle Of The Kings
   Part 2. Of The Wondrous Isles - Chapter 12. Of Birdalone...
Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 1. Birdalone Comes To The Castle Of The Quest
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 2. Of Birdalone, And How She Rested The Night...
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 3. How Birdalone Dight Her For Meeting The Champions Of The Quest
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 4. And Now She Meets The Champions
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 5. Birdalone Has True Tokens From The Champions Of The Quest
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 6. How The Champions Would Do Birdalone To Be Clad Anew...
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 7. Of Birdalone, How She Told The Champions All Her Tale
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 8. In The Meanwhile Of The Departing Of The Champions...
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 9. Birdalone Cometh Before The Champions In Her New Array
   Part 3. Of The Castle Of The Quest - Chapter 10. The Champions Go Their Ways...
Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 1. Of Birdalone's Grief; And Of Leonard The Chaplain
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 2. Birdalone Learneth Lore Of The Priest...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 3. Now Would Birdalone Ride Abroad
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 4. Of Birdalone's Faring Abroad
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 5. Sir Aymeris...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 6. Birdalone Heareth Tell Tales Of The Black Valley Of The Greywethers
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 7. Birdalone Beguileth The Priest...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 8. Birdalone Fares On Her Adventure
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 9. Birdalone Comes To The Black Valley
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 10. How Birdalone Fell In With A Man In The Black Valley Of The Greywethers
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 11. Birdalone Is Led Up The Black Valley
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 12. How Those Twain Get Them From Out Of Black Valley...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 13. Now They Rest For The Night...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 14. The Black Knight Tells The Truth...
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 15. The Black Knight Brings Birdalone To The Bower In The Dale
   Part 4. Of The Days Of Abiding - Chapter 16. Yet A Day And A Night They Tarry In The Dale
Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 1. Of Sir Leonard's Trouble...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 2. Now Ask They Of Birdalone, And Sir Leonard Speaks
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 3. How They Follow The Slot Of Birdalone...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 4. Of The Slaying Of Friend And Foe
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 5. They Come Home To The Castle Of The Quest
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 6. Of The Talk Betwixt Birdalone And Viridis
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 7. Birdalone Telleth The Tale...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 8. Atra And Birdalone Talk Together...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 9. Hugh Tells The Story Of The Quest's Ending
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 10. How It Fared With The Three Ladies...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 11. Birdalone And The Black Squire Talk Together...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 12. The Knights And Their Fellows...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 13. Birdalone Bethinks Her To Fulfil The Promise...
   Part 5. The Tale Of The Quest's Ending - Chapter 14. Birdalone Leaves The Castle Of The Quest
Part 6. The Days Of Absence
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 1. Birdalone Rides To Greenford...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 2. Of Birdalone And Her Fellowship..
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 3. They Come To The City Of The Five Crafts...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 4. Of The Love Of Gerard's Sons...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 5. Of The Death Of Audrey...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 6. Of The Sundering Of Birdalone From Gerard And His Sons
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 7. Birdalone Cometh To Greenford...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 8. Birdalone Cometh To The Castle Of The Quest...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 9. Birdalone Findeth The Isle Of Nothing Greatly Bettered...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 10. Of Birdalone's Flitting...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 11. Coming To The Isle Of Kings Birdalone...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 12. Birdalone Cometh Again To The Isle Of Queens...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 13. Coming To The Isle Of The Young And The Old...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 14. The Sending Boat Disappeareth...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 15. Birdalone Lacketh Little Of Drowning...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 16. Birdalone Findeth Her Witch-Mistress Dead
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 17. Birdalone Layeth To Earth The Body Of The Witch...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 18. The Wood-Mother Cometh To Birdalone...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 19. Habundia Hideth Birdalone's Nakedness With Faery Raiment
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 20. Birdalone Telleth Habundia Of Her Love For Arthur...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 21. How The Wood-Wife Entered The Cot...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 22. Birdalone Wendeth The Wildwood In Fellowship With Habundia
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 23. The Wood-Wife...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 24. The Wood-Mother Changeth Her Form...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 25. The Wood-Wife Healeth And Tendeth The Black Squire
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 26. The Black Squire...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 27. Sir Arthur Cometh To The House Under The Wood
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 28. Fair Days In The House Of Love
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 29. Those Twain Will Seek The Wisdom Of The Wood-Wife
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 30. They Have Speech With Habundia...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 31. Habundia Cometh...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 32. Of The Fight In The Forest...
   Part 6. The Days Of Absence - Chapter 33. Viridis Telleth The Tale Of Their Seeking
Part 7. The Days Of Returning
   Part 7. The Days Of Returning - Chapter 1. Sir Hugh...
   Part 7. The Days Of Returning - Chapter 2. Birdalone Taketh Counsel...
   Part 7. The Days Of Returning - Chapter 3. Of The Journeying Through The Forest Of Evilshaw...
   Part 7. The Days Of Returning - Chapter 4. Of The Abiding In Utterhay In Love...