And on Midsummer Day I went my ways to the dale according to my wont, when, as I as driving on my goats hastily I saw a bright thing coming over the heath toward me, and I went on my way to meet it, for I had no fear now, except what fear of my mistress lingered in my heart; nay, I looked that everything I saw of new should add some joy to my heart.

So presently I saw that it was a weaponed man riding a white horse, and anon he had come up to me and drawn rein before me.

I wondered exceedingly at beholding him and the heart leaped within me at his beauty; for though the carline had told me of the loveliness of the sons of men, that was but words and I knew not what they meant; and the others that I had seen were not young men or goodly, and those last, as I told thee, I could scarce see their faces.
"And this one was even fairer than the dead woman that I had buried, whose face was worn with toil and trouble, as now I called to mind.

He was clad in bright shining armour with a gay surcoat of green, embroidered with flowers over it; he had a light sallet on his head, and the yellow locks of his hair flowed down from under, and fell on his shoulders: his face was as beardless as thine, dear friend, but not clear brown like to thine but white and red like a blossom." Ralph spake and said: "Belike it was a woman;" and his voice sounded loud in the quiet place.

She smiled on him and kissed his cheek, and said: "Nay, nay, dear Champion, it is not so.