The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
XXVIII: Fair Days in the House of Love explained
Birdalone and Arthur spend idyllic days together in the house by the Great Water, with Birdalone taking joy in domestic tasks and cherishing Arthur.
What happens
Birdalone and Arthur spend idyllic days together in the house by the Great Water, with Birdalone taking joy in domestic tasks and cherishing Arthur. She dresses in her woodland green and her wonder-raiment, and they walk through the meadows, recalling past moments. They playfully pretend the witch has returned, and Arthur vows to protect her. The chapter ends with them returning home, lighting candles, and chasing away the moonlight.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Desire
The chapter focuses on the tender and playful love between Birdalone and Arthur, highlighting their intimate bond and mutual care.
Nature and the Wild
The setting of meadows, brook, and Great Water underscores the harmony between the lovers and the natural world.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Takes joy in housekeeping and cherishing Arthur; dresses in woodland green and wonder-raiment; plays pretend about the witch.
- Arthur the Black Squire
Spends peaceful days with Birdalone; plays along with her game about the witch; vows to protect her.
Key passages
“On the morrow it was sweet times betwixt those twain, and what was hard and fierce of their love they seemed to have put behind them.”
The next day was filled with sweetness between the two, and the difficult, intense aspects of their love appeared to be behind them.
Describes the shift to a peaceful phase in their relationship.
“For in the morning she went in her woodland green let down to her heels, and when the day wore towards evening, and the wind came cool from over the Great Water, then she did on her wonder-raiment which the wood-wife had given her.”
In the morning she wore her long green woodland dress, and as evening approached with a cool wind from the Great Water, she put on the magical garment given by the wood-wife.
Highlights Birdalone's changing attire and connection to nature and magic.
“Then home they fared to the house; and again on the way must Birdalone feign for their disport that the witch was come back again, and was awaiting her to play the tyrant with her; and Arthur fell in with her game, and kissed her and clipped her, and then drew his sword and said: By Allhallows I shall smite off her head if she but lay a finger on thee.”
On the way home, Birdalone pretended for fun that the witch had returned to torment her, and Arthur joined in the game, embracing her and vowing to behead the witch if she harmed Birdalone.
Shows their playful dynamic and Arthur's protective nature.