Noon
But all noted that goodly weapon , the yoke-fellow of so many great deeds . There then on the Portway , between the water and the rock-wall , rose up plenteous and gleeful talk of clear voices shrill and soft ; and whiles the maidens sang , and whiles they told tales of old days , and whiles they joined hands and danced together on the sweet summer dust of the highway . Then they mostly grew aweary , and sat down on the banks of the road or under their leafy bowers . Noon came , and therewithal goodwives of the neighbouring Dale , who brought them meat and drink , and fruit and fresh flowers from the teeming gardens ; and thereafter for a while they nursed their joy in their bosoms , and spake but little and softly while the day was at its hottest in the early afternoon . Then came out of Burgstead men making semblance of chapmen with a wain bearing wares , and they made as though they were wending down the Portway westward to go out of the Dale . Then arose the weaponed maidens and barred the way to them , and turned them back amidst fresh-springing merriment . Again in a while , when the sun was westering and the shadows growing long , came herdsmen from down the Dale driving neat , and making as though they would pass by into Burgstead , but to them also did the maidens gainsay the road , so that needs must they turn back amidst laughter and mockery , they themselves also laughing and mocking .