# XIX: Habundia Hideth Birdalone’s Nakedness with Faery Raiment explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

Birdalone meets Habundia at the Trysting Tree, who gifts her with exquisite faery raiment. Birdalone joyfully dons the new clothes, but her pleasure is tempered by thoughts of how she will appear to her beloved. She then resumes her tale from where she left off, describing her journey toward the Isle of the Young and the Old.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Autonomy

Birdalone actively chooses to accept the faery raiment and continues to control her own story.

### Identity and Transformation

The new raiment symbolizes a transformation in Birdalone's appearance and self-perception.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Receives faery raiment from Habundia and continues her narrative.

### Habundia

Gifts Birdalone with faery clothing and listens to her tale.

## Key lines

> Now, thou darling of the world, I have been no worse than my word, and if thou durst wear web of the Faery thou shalt presently be clad as goodly as ever thou wert down there amongst the knighthood; and then thy tale, my dear, and, if it may be, the wisdom of the barren wood-wife set thereto.

Habundia tells Birdalone that she has kept her promise and offers her faery garments that will make her as beautifully dressed as she was among the knights, and then asks to hear her story.

_Habundia reaffirms her promise and invites Birdalone to share her tale._

> Birdalone quivered for joy of the fair things, and crowed in her speech as she knelt before Habundia to thank her: then in a twinkling had she done off her beggar’s raiment, and then the smock clung about her darling nakedness, and next the gown was shimmering all over her, and the golden girdle embraced her loins as though it loved them worthily;

Birdalone trembled with delight at the beautiful clothes, thanked Habundia, quickly removed her old rags, and put on the fine smock and shimmering gown, with a golden girdle that seemed to lovingly encircle her waist.

_Birdalone's joyful transformation through the faery raiment._

> But in a little while was Birdalone sobered; for the thought of how fair she should look to the eyes of her beloved when she was shown unto him on the day of days, thrust her light and eager pleasure aside;

Soon Birdalone became serious, as the thought of how beautiful she would appear to her beloved on their special day overshadowed her initial lighthearted joy.

_Birdalone's joy is tempered by thoughts of her beloved._

## Links

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