iron-face

Updated: June 18, 2025

Then waxed Iron-face exceeding wroth, and he rose up before all men and cried loudly and fiercely: 'There is some lie abroad, that windeth about us as the gossamers in the lanes of an autumn morning.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

For my soul loathes the hunting that shall befall up and down the wood for the slaying of a man here, and two or three there, and the wearing of the days in wandering up and down with weapons in the hand, and the spinning out of hatred and delaying of peace. Then Iron-face reached his hand across the board and took his son's hand, and said: 'Hail to thee, son, for thy word!

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

Even so have I sworn, even so will I do. Her eyes glittered and her cheek was flushed, and her voice was clear and ringing now; and when she ended there arose a murmur of praise from the men round about her. But Iron-face said coldly: 'These are great words; but I know not what they mean.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale

Then said that elder: 'Give me place; for I have a word to say hereon. Therewith he arose, and made his way to the front of the ring of men, and said: 'Alderman, thou knowest me? 'Yea, said Iron-face, 'thou art called the Fiddle, because of thy sweet speech and thy minstrelsy; whereof I mind me well in the time when I was young and thou no longer young. 'So it is, said the Fiddle.

William Morris - The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale