But the Maiden went to the window weeping thus to lose her friend, and
the Carline came to her there, and they looked forth, and beheld the
Knight ride down to his men. And then all the array shook and clashed,
as they shouted for joy that their captain was come amongst them; and
there were the two young squires, gay and bright in their broidered
surcoats, and they fell into their places beside the lord, and Roland
bore the wavy banner. Then arose the sun, and Sir Mark drew forth his
sword and waved it aloft, and Roland shook the banner loose and
displayed it in the clear air. The horns blew up, and the whole band
of them got on to the bridge and went their ways toward the place
where the road to the south and the east turned off from the northern
road. Even so departed that glorious piece of ordered might; and when
they were quite gone those two turned away from the window, and the
days which were next to come seemed empty and dull.
But the Maiden told the Carline all that the Blue Knight had said to
her about fleeing straightway to the Grey Sisters if he himself should
fall in the war; and the two looked at each other a while, and each
knew the thoughts which were in the other's heart, and which each left
unspoken; to wit that Sir Mark feared his mother's pride and malice,
what she might do if he were no longer there to refrain it; yea, and
she seeking some outlet to her grief and solace for it in wrath and
cruelty.
Chapter LXI. The Maiden and the Carline Flee to the Grey Sisters
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account