Wondering thereat, but loved it nothing less.

But as they looked, a bright flame round it blazed,

And hid it for a space, and weariness

The souls of both the good folk did oppress,

And on the earth they lay down side by side,

And unto them it was as they had died.

"Yet did they know that o'er them hung the tree

Grown mighty, thick-leaved, on each bough did hang

Crown, sword or ship, or temple fair to see;

And therewithal a great wind through it sang,