And suddenly the dance ended and the children, formed into line, were saluting the royal onlookers.
“A fair dance and footed right featly,” said the King in a great, jolly voice. “Now get you wind, my merry men all, and give us a song for the honour of the May Queen and of my dear lady here.”
There was whispering and discussion. Then Richard Arden stepped out in front of the group of green-clad noble children.
“With a willing heart, my liege,” he said, “but first a song of the King’s good Majesty.”
And with that all the children began to sing—
“The hunt is up, the hunt is up,
And it is well-nigh day,
And Harry our King is gone a-hunting
To bring his deer to bay.”
It is a rousing tune, and it was only afterwards that Edred and Elfrida were surprised to find that they knew it quite well.