Going slowly in this wise, she came at last to the
castle gate; and now had all those three out-gone
her and stood afoot in the wicket to welcome her,
and the Golden Knight, who was the oldest of the three,
was the speaker of the welcome.
Over the threshold of the Castle of the Quest went
Birdalone’s feet then, and she was grown so
happy as she had never deemed she should be all her
life long.
Now they brought Birdalone into a very fair chamber,
where was presently everything she might need, save
a tiring woman, which, forsooth, was no lack unto
her, since never had she had any to help her array
her body. So she did what she might to make herself
the trimmer; and in a while came two fair swains of
service, who brought her in all honour into the great
hall, where were the three lords abiding her.
There were they served well and plenteously, and fair
was the converse between them; and in especial was
the talk of Arthur the Black Squire goodly and wise
and cheery, and well-measured; and the Green Knight’s
speech merry and kind, as of an happy child; and the
Golden Knight spake ever free and kindly, though not
of many words was he. And who was happy if Birdalone
were not?
But when they had eaten and washed their hands, then
spake the Golden Knight: Dear maiden, now are
we ready to hear the innermost of thine errand, all
we together, if thou wilt.
Birdalone smiled and reddened withal, as she said:
Fair lords, I doubt not but ye are even they unto
whom I was sent, but they who sent me, and who saved
me from death and worse, bade me do mine errand in
such a way, that I should speak with each one of you
privily, and that for a token each should tell me a
thing known but to him and his love, and to me unto
whom she hath told it. Now am I all ready to
do mine errand thus, and no other wise.
Laughed they now, and were merry, and the Green Knight
blushed like a maiden; forsooth like to his very speech-friend
Viridis. But the Black Squire said: Fair
fellows, get we all into the pleasance this fair morn,
and sit there on the grass, and our sweet lady shall
take us one after other into the plashed alley, and
have the tokens of us.
Even so they did, and went into the pleasance, which
was a goodly little garth south of the castle, grassed,
and set thick with roses and lilies and gillyflowers,
and other fragrant flowers. There then they
sat on the daisied greensward, the three lords together,
and Birdalone over against them, and they three watched
her beauty and loveliness and wondered thereat.
But she said: Now it comes to the very point
of mine errand; wherefore I bid thee, Baudoin the
Golden Knight, to come apart with me and answer to
my questions, so that I may know surely that I am
doing mine errand aright.
Therewith she arose to her feet, and he also, and
he led her into the plashed alley, out of earshot
of the other twain, who lay upon the grass biding
their turn with but little patience.
