William Morris

“ So we crept to the very edge of the wood and looked forth privily, and presently we saw our chapman riding off west with his saddle-bags and all, and his face was worn and doleful; at that Anna grinned spitefully, nor for my part might I altogether refrain my laughter. But thou dost not laugh, Osberne? He sprang up and cried out fiercely: I would I had been there to cleave his skull! Many a better man have I slain for less cause.
Then they were silent awhile, and she sat looking on him fondly, till she spake at last: Sweetheart, art thou angry with me for telling thee this tale? ”

“ But what shall we do now? said I. Said Anna: We will abide here in the shaw: there is meat on the board for the guest, and his raiment will not be hard to find, and he knows where are his horse and his gear and his saddle-bags. I doubt me he will not be eager to say farewell either to thee or to me; for he is not man enough to take his sword in his fist against even an old carline and a young maiden. ”

“ Now I bid thee tarry no longer, but fall to and tell me the tale of thy deeds; for soon shall the short autumn day be waning, and the moment of parting shall steal upon us ere we be ware. Even so he did now; but at first, to say sooth, he made but a poor minstrel, so much his mind was turned unto what she had been telling him; but after a while his scaldship quickened him, and he told her much in manner like life, so that she might as it were see the tidings going on before her. ”