William Morris

“ Osberne stood beside his horse, looking after him and the way he had taken, and then mounted and rode his way homeward, somewhat downcast at first for the missing of this new father. But after a while, what for his new gift and his freshly-gained might, and the pride and pleasure of life, he became all joyous again, as though the earth were new made for him. ”

“ And the lad stood still before him, and Steelhead laid his hands on the head of him first, and let them abide there awhile; then he passed his hands over the shoulders and arms of the boy, and his legs and thighs and breast, and all over his body; and therewith he said: In our days and the olden time it was the wont of fathers to bless their children in this wise, but for thee, thy father is dead, and thy nighest kinsman is little-hearted and somewhat of a churl. Thus then have I done to thee to take the place of a father to thee, I who am of the warriors of while agone. ”

“ It is well thought of, lad, said Steelhead, and that the more, as I must needs see thee naked if I am to strengthen thee as I am minded to do. So they did off their raiment, both of them, and went into the biggest of the pools hard by; and if Steelhead were a noble-looking man clad, far nobler was he to look on naked, for he was both big and well shapen, so that better might not be. ”