Cynerith bit her lip.
"Have ye indeed bestowed your ring upon the beggars?" Ethelfrith whispered.
"Surely, aye," answered he. "The sad, sorry souls! These do fear lest they be besmirched by fellowship with the mean and ailing. But I think that a king, before all men in the earth ought to be lowly." Bending towards her, he said softly, "Tell me now, are all things truly to thy liking?"
"Oh, my lord…." said she. Here, amongst all these people—before all her kindred!
"'High and mighty' I greeted thee," he pursued. "Dearest, I knew not then to whom I spake. 'Soft and lovely lady' hail I thee now!"
He handed her down the slope and together they wandered slowly through the fields.
The royal party followed immediately, and they proceeded, mostly on foot, along the path which leads through the lush meadow-land. Presently Cynerith called the King of East Anglia to her, and they in their turn headed the company.
"May-tide is God's gift to lovers," she said. "The Queen's words are sooth," was his rejoinder.
"Hearken to the live things, and to the birds," said Cynerith, and her eyes were languishing. "Ethelbert, a woman's heart blooms blithe and tender in this month of May!"
Eadburh looked her sister from head to foot.