"She comes here every Saturday, to wash her head; and, in the vessel where she washes, she leaves all her rings, and she never either comes herself, or sends any messengers, to fetch them."
"Will she come here if she is sent to?"
"Heaven knows that I will not destroy my soul, nor will I betray those that trust me. Unless you will pledge me your faith that you will not harm her, I will not send to her."
"We pledge it," said they. So a message was sent; and she came.
The maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-colored silk; and about her neck was a collar of ruddy gold, on which were precious emeralds and rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom; and her skin was whiter than the foam of the wave; and fairer were her hands and her fingers than the blossoms of the wood-anemone amidst the spray of the meadow fountain. The eye of the trained hawk, the glance of the three-mewed falcon, was not brighter than hers. Her bosom was more snowy than the breast of the white swan; her cheek was redder than the reddest roses. Whoso beheld her was filled with her love. Four white trefoils sprung up wherever she trod. And therefore was she called Olwen.
She entered the house, and sat beside Kilhwch, upon the foremost bench. And as soon as he saw her he knew her. And Kilhwch said unto her, "Ah, maiden! thou art she whom I have loved. Come away with me, lest they speak evil of thee and of me. Many a day have I loved thee."
"I cannot do this; for I have pledged my faith to my father not to go without his counsel, for his life will last only until the time of my espousals. Whatever is must be. But I will give thee advice, if thou wilt take it. Go, ask me of my father, and that which he shall require of thee, grant it, and thou wilt obtain me; but, if thou deny him any thing, thou wilt not obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life."
"I promise all this, if occasion offer," said he.
She returned to her chamber, and they all rose up, and followed her to the castle. And they slew the nine porters that were at the nine gates, in silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs, without one of them barking. And they went forward to the hall.
"The greeting of Heaven and of man be unto thee Yspaddaden Penkawr," said they.