Or has the earth become so full of lies, that there is no room amidst them for a true man to stand upon his feet and go his ways ?" Said the Sea-eagle: "Thou shalt tell us of what hath betid, and so ease the sorrow of thy soul if thou wilt.

Or if thou wilt, thou shalt nurse thy sorrow in thine heart and tell no man.

Do what thou wilt; am I not become thy friend ?" Said Hallblithe: "I will tell you twain the tidings, and thereafter ask me no more concerning them.

Hearken.

I went whereas ye bade me, and hid myself in the bay-tree thicket; and there came maidens into the blossoming orchard and made a resting-place with silken cushions close to where I was lurking, and stood about as though they were looking for some one to come.