In vain might she weep and bewail her; he asked not her yea, or nay, But took from her lips unwilling the kiss she would fain gainsay; And the ring of gold from her finger with ungentle hand he'ld take, And the clasp that her shift had fastened from the garment he roughly brake: In vain were her tears and struggles, she was but a woman still, 325 And his strength was to hers as an army, perforce must she do his will. Then the lad spake aloud, he hungered, from his hand was the lady free, And she quoth, 'Of a truth 'twere better thou shouldst not make meal of me! If thou wert but a little wiser thou wouldst choose thee some other meat, There stand bread and wine, and two game-birds, of them mayst thou freely eat, 330 Methinks when my maiden brought them, 'twas scarcely of thee she thought!' Then he asked not where sat the hostess, but he ate e'en as hunger taught, And he drank his fill; and the lady she deemed all too long his stay, For she thought him bereft of his senses, and she wished he were well away, And for fear and shame the sweat-drops stood thickly upon her brow-- 335 And she spake, 'Thou my ring shalt give me, and the clasp thou didst take but now, And get thee away, if he cometh, my husband, then shalt thou bear The weight of his wrath, and I think me thou wouldst then wish thyself elsewhere!' Quoth the noble youth, 'What care I how fierce thy lord's wrath may be? If my presence doth shame thine honour, then from hence will I swiftly flee.' 340 And he stepped to the bedside boldly, and kissed her as there she lay, Tho' little it pleased the Duchess, and without leave he rode away; And he spake a word of parting as he vaulted upon his steed, 'God have thee in His safe keeping, so my mother she gave me rede.'