XVII Of What Sir Halewyn Did on the Borders of His Domain
Not long afterwards a hard winter set in, with bitter cold and furious storm.
And the heart of the fifteenth virgin no longer beat strong against Sir Halewyn’s breast.
And he sang, but none came. Wherefore he was disappointed and angry.
But calling to mind that there were, in the castle of Sir Roel de Heurne, two girls supposed by common report to be virgins,
And that this castle was no more than the fifth part of a league from the borders of his land,
And that therefore the two maids would be able to hear and come to the call of his song,
He went each night and stationed himself on the farthest border of his demesne, and there sang towards the said castle, notwithstanding the bitter cold, and the snow beginning to fall abundantly.