When they had drunken enough, and more,
"Here is white money to pay the score.
"And now shall your little serving-maid come,
With her lantern lighted, to guide us home."
"Gentles, in all our wide Brittany
There is no man would harm her, so let it be."
Forth went the maid, full of innocent pride,
Fearless and free, with her light by her side.
*****
When they were far on their lonely way,
They began to whisper, and mutter, and say,
"Little maid, your face is as fair and bright
As the foam on the wave in the morning light."
"Gentles, I pray you, flatter me not:
It is as God made it—no other, God wot;
"And were it fairer, I tell you true—
Ay, a hundred times fairer—'twere nought to you."
"To judge, little maid, by your sober speech,
You know all the good priests at the school can teach;