She stepped ashore, and stood ankle-deep in the sweet
grass, and looked about her for a while, and saw no
shape of man astir. She was yet weary, and stiff
with abiding so long amongst the hard ribs of the
boat, so she laid herself down on the grass, and its
softness solaced her; and presently she fell asleep
again.
When she next awoke, the sun was not yet high, and
the morning young, yet she stood upon her feet much
refreshed by that short slumber. She turned toward
the hill and the gay house, and saw one coming over
the meadow to her, a woman to wit, in a shining golden
gown, and as she drew nigh Birdalone could see that
she was young and fair, tall, white-skinned and hazel-eyed,
with long red hair dancing all about her as she tripped
lightly and merrily over the greensward.
Now she comes up to Birdalone with wonder in her eyes,
and greets her kindly, and asked her of her name,
and Birdalone told it all simply; and the new-comer
said: What errand hast thou hither, that thou
art come thus naked and alone in this ill-omened ferry?
Birdalone trembled at her words, though she spake
kindly to her, and she said: It is a long story,
but fate drave me thereto, and misery, and I knew
not whither I was bound. But is there no welcome
for me in this lovely land? I lack not deftness
wholly; and I will be a servant of servants, and ask
no better if it must be so. Said the new-comer:
Unto that mayst thou come, but sore will be thy servitude.
I fear me thy welcome here may be but evil.
Said Birdalone: Wilt thou not tell me how so?
Quoth that lady: We know thy ferry here, that
it is the craft wherein cometh hither now and again
the sister of our lady the Queen, into whose realm
thou art now come, and who liveth up in the white
palace yonder, and whom we serve. And meseems
thou wilt not have come hither by her leave, or thou
wouldst be in other guise than this; so that belike
thou wilt be the runaway of thy mistress. Wherefore
I fear that thou wilt be sent back to thy said mistress
after a while, and that that while will be grievous
to thee, body and soul.
Birdalone’s heart sank, and she was pale and
trembling; but she said: O dear lady, might I
then depart as I have come hither, without the wotting
of this Queen! after thou hast given me a morsel of
bread, for I am hungry. Said the gold-clad one,
looking on her pitifully: Nay, maiden, I cannot
choose but bring thee before our mistress, whereas
most like she hath already seen thee from above there.
For she is far-sighted beyond the wont of folk who
be more manlike. But as for the bread, see thou!
I have brought a manchet in my pouch, and cheese
withal, as I came hurrying; for I thought, she will
be hungry. And she reached the victual out to
her. And Birdalone took it and kissed the golden
lady’s hands, and she might not refrain her
tears, but wept as she ate.
