“Alas!” said the lady, “what shall I do?  I doubt that I am lost, for my lord will find that his bride is not a maid.  If this becomes known they will make me a bondwoman for all my days.  Would that my friend were here to free me from this coil.  It were good for me to die rather than to live, but by no means can I escape from their hands.  They have set warders about me, men, old and young, whom they call my chamberlains, contemners of love, who delight themselves in sadness.  But endure it I must, for, alas, I know not how to die.”

So on the appointed day the lady was wedded to the baron, and her husband took her to dwell with him in his fief.

When Milon returned to his own country he was right heavy and sorrowful to learn of this marriage.  He lamented his wretched case, but in this he found comfort, that he was not far from the realm where the lady abode whom so tenderly he loved.  Milon commenced to think within himself how best he might send letters to the damsel that he was come again to his home, yet so that none should have knowledge thereof.  He wrote a letter, and sealed it with his seal.  This message he made fast to the neck, and hid within the plumage of a swan that was long his, and was greatly to his heart.  He bade his squire to come, and made him his messenger.

“Change thy raiment swiftly,” said he, “and hasten to the castle of my friend.  Take with thee my swan, and see that none, neither servant nor handmaid, delivers the bird to my lady, save thyself alone.”

The squire did according to his lord’s commandment.  He made him ready quickly, and went forth, bearing the swan with him.  He went by the nearest road, and passing through the streets of the city, came before the portal of the castle.  In answer to his summons the porter drew near.

“Friend,” said he, “hearken to me.  I am of Caerleon, and a fowler by craft.  Within my nets I have snared the most marvellous swan in the world.  This wondrous bird I would bestow forthwith upon your lady, but perforce I must offer her the gift with my own hand.”

“Friend,” replied the porter, “fowlers are not always welcomed of ladies.  If you come with me I will bring you where I may know whether it pleases my lady to have speech with you and to receive your gift.”

The porter entered in the hall, where he found none but two lords seated at a great table, playing chess for their delight.  He swiftly returned on his steps, and the fowler with him, so furtively withal that the lords were not disturbed at their game, nor perceived aught of the matter.  They went therefore to the chamber of the lady.  In answer to their call the door was opened to them by a maiden, who led them before her dame.  When the swan was proffered to the lady it pleased her to receive the gift.  She summoned a varlet of her household and gave the bird to his charge, commanding him to keep it safely, and to see that it ate enough and to spare.