Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/321

 him, and know not how to come to him; but I will seek him the world over till I find him, and he me. And if I find him not, then never shall I come into any man's arms in this world. What sayest thou now? The Knight rose up and walked to and fro awhile, casting a look on the Chapman every now and then. At last he came to the Maiden, and said to her in a low voice: I make thee the same offer, and will swear to thee on my father's sword, which here is. She looked on him, and the tears came into her eyes; nor forsooth were they very far from his. But she said: This goes with it, that thou take along with thee my foster-mother, who is hereby, and suffer her to be ever with me if I will. That is soon yeasaid, quoth he. Then he set her down in his chair, and said: Fear nothing, I will see to this matter straightway.

Then he turned to the Chapman, who sat scowling on the Maiden, and said: Now, Chapman, wilt thou sell me thy thrall as thou hast sold me those pretty things? The other answered him not awhile, and the Knight said: Nay, it avails nought to draw faces at me; one way or the other the thing can soon be settled. For look to it, that thy war-taken thrall may be mine by the same title. There are weapons enough hereby, and ye are five and we three; and thou shalt arm thee, or I will unarm me to my kirtle and sword, and then let us out on to the green and fight for the Maiden. The Chapman said: I see thou wilt take her perforce; so