“It was not Denewulf, Edward. I demanded it, for none were there who believed in my innocence. God alone could show it, for man had forsaken me. Grieve not over it, because of it was I led to Anlaf’s, where I found Siegbert, my brother. Through him was it that thy father did enter our dwelling, and thus, at last, was I brought to thee.”
“Truly, it was God’s providence,” answered Edward. “Yet doth my heart beat, and a mist comes before mine eyes at thy hardships. Tell on, brave heart; I will be calm.”
“There is but little else to tell,” answered she, and continued her narrative.
“Edward, Edward,” called some merry voices as a group of youths and maidens came trooping toward them, “come and join us.”
Catching sight of Egwina, they stopped in surprise, and then called joyously: “’Tis Egwina! Egwina hath come to us again!” They gathered round her, welcoming her warmly. Edward took from a maiden near him a garland of cowslips, daisies, and primroses, and kneeling before Egwina said: “Thus do I crown thee my Summer and queen of my heart.”
“They have exchanged the true-lofa!” went up the merry shout. “Edward hath chosen his mate! Lord and lady of the Summer are they!”
Bursting into a gay song, they joined hands and circled joyously round the loving pair.
“Merry is the throstle’s song
And blithe the mead doth bloom;
For we have brought the Summer home
From Winter’s dreary tomb.
“Merry is the song of youth
And blithely do we sing;
For each hath brought his Summer fair
To join our mystic ring.”
Footnotes
| [1] | Bulwer Lytton’s versification. By some this poem is placed in the tenth century. Morley puts it in the eighth. |