axe hanging about his neck, and with his right hand he seemed
to be leading something, Ralph could not see what at first,
as his left side was turned toward Ralph and the want-way.

Now, as Ralph looked, he saw that at the spearman's saddle-bow was
hung a man's head, red-haired and red-bearded; for this man now drew
a little nigher, and cried out to Ralph in a loud and merry voice:
"Hail, knight! whither away now, that thou ridest the green-wood
sword in hand?"

Ralph was just about to answer somewhat, when the first man moved a little
nigher, and as he did so he turned so that Ralph could see what betid on his
right hand; and lo! he was leading a woman by a rope tied about her neck
(though her hands were loose), as though he were bringing a cow to market.
When the man stayed his horse she came forward and stood within the slack
of the rope by the horse's head, and Ralph could see her well, that though she
was not to say naked, her raiment was but scanty, for she had nought to cover
her save one short and strait little coat of linen, and shoes on her feet.
Yet Ralph deemed her to be of some degree, whereas he caught the gleam
of gold and gems on her hands, and there was a golden chaplet on her head.
She stood now by the horse's head with her hands folded, looking on,
as if what was tiding and to betide, were but a play done for her pleasure.

So when Ralph looked on her, he was silent a while; and the spearman cried
out again: "Ho, young man, wilt thou speak, or art thou dumb-foundered
for fear of us?"

But Ralph knit his brows, and was first red and then pale;
for he was both wroth, and doubtful how to go to work;
but he said: