But as to this flowery array of thine, in a few hours it shall be all faded and nought.

Nay, even now, as I look on thee, the meadow-sweet that hangeth from thy girdle-stead has waxen dull, and welted; and the blossoming eyebright that is for a hem to the little white coat of thee is already forgetting how to be bright and blue.

What sayest thou then ?" She laughed at his word, and stood still, and looked back over her shoulder, while with her fingers she dealt with the flowers about her side like to a bird preening his feathers.

Then she said: "Is it verily so as thou sayest?
Look again!" So he looked, and wondered; for lo! beneath his eyes the spires of the meadow-sweet grew crisp and clear again, the eyebright blossoms shone once more over the whiteness of her legs; the eglantine roses opened, and all was as fresh and bright as if it were still growing on its own roots.
He wondered, and was even somedeal aghast; but she said: "Dear friend, be not troubled! did I not tell thee that I am wise in hidden lore?
But in my wisdom shall be no longer any scathe to any man.

And again, this my wisdom, as I told thee erst, shall end on the day whereon I am made all happy.