avail, therefore, is my goodliness and shapeliness? Child, I answer
thee that the time is coming when thou shalt see here a many of the
fairest of men, and then shalt thou be rather rose than lily, and
fully come to womanhood; and all those shall love and worship thee,
and thou mayst gladden whom thou wilt, and whom thou wilt mayst
sadden; and no lack soever shalt thou have of the sweetness of love,
or the glory of dominion.

Think of it then! All this is for thee if thou dwell here quietly
with me, doing my will till thy womanhood hath blossomed. Wherefore
I beseech and pray thee put out of thy mind the thought of fleeing
from me. For if thou try it, one of two things shall be: either I
shall bring thee back and slay thee, or make thee live in misery of
torment; or else thou wilt escape, and then what will it be? Dost
thou know how it shall go with thee, coming poor and nameless, an
outcast, into the world of men? Lust shalt thou draw unto thee, but
scarce love. I say an outcast shalt thou be, without worship or
dominion; thy body shall be a prey to ribalds, and when the fine
flower thereof hath faded, thou shalt find that the words of thy
lovers were but mockery. That no man shall love thee, and no woman
aid thee. Then shall Eld come to thee and find thee at home with
Hell; and Death shall come and mock thee for thy life cast away for
nought, for nought. This is my word to thee: and now I have nought
to do to thee save to change thee thy skin, and therein must thou do
as thou canst, but it shall be no ugly or evil shape at least. But
another time maybe I shall not be so kind as to give thee a new
shape, but shall let thee wander about seen by none but me. Then she
took the cup and took water in the hollow of her hand and cast it
into Birdalone's face, and muttered words withal; and presently she
saw herself indeed, that she was become a milk-white hind; and she