noon
And therewith he laid him down on the further side of the pass , and fell asleep straightway . WHEN the morning was come down into the straitness of their secret road , Birdalone opened her eyes and saw the Black Knight busy over dighting their horses : so she arose and thrust her grief back into her heart , and gave her fellow-farer the sele of the day , and he brought her victual , and they ate a morsel , and gat to horse thereafter and departed ; and the way became smoother , and it was lighter overhead everywhere now , and the rocks never again met overhead athwart the way ; and it seemed to Birdalone that now they were wending somewhat downward . The knight was courteous unto Birdalone , and no longer for the present thrust his love upon her , so that now she had some solace of his fellowship , though he was but few-spoken to her . It was betimes when they arose , and they rode all the morning till it was noon , which they might well wot of , because the way was much wider , and the cliff-walls of the pass much lower , so that the sun shone in upon them and cheered them . Now the Black Knight drew rein and said : Shall we rest , lady , and eat ? And thereafter , if thou wilt , I shall tell thee my tale . Or rather , if thou wilt suffer me , I shall speak first and eat afterwards , or else the morsel might stick in my throat .