The Well at the World's End: A Tale

to Whitw

d rested for the night, because evening was at hand. So when those four had eaten and drunk there together, Ralph spoke and said: "Michael-a-dale, thou art for Swevenham to-morrow?" "Yea,

eem, thou shalt not lack company betwixt here and Swevenham, whereas our d

n him: "It is the last word which we have heard from thee of this matter, though verily it was spoken a while ago. What wilt thou a

road hence to Upmeads may yet be a rough one." "Yea," said the Sage,

father, come with us, and let thy wisdom bless our roof-tree. Wilt thou not teach our c

hee, it shall be as I said e'en-now; and forsooth I looked for this bidding of th

fain of each other, and the eve

one to thy kindred, and may fair days befall thee in Swevenham. But if thou deem at any time that matters go not so we

age looked into the palm thereof, and said: "This man shall make old bones, and it is more like than not, King's son, that he shall seek to thee at Upmeads ere he d

ode his ways to Swevenham, going hastily,

nd the streets were thronged, and they looked on the folk and were fain of them, since they seemed to them to be something more than aliens. The folk also

man warrior-like to look on, and girt with a long sword. Ralph lighted down from his horse, and met the man, who was coming toward him, cast his arms about his neck, and kissed him, and lo, it was Richard the Red. The people round about, when they saw it, clapped their hands, and cro

d walked by Ralph's side, and as he went he said: "Moreover, lad, I can see that thy tale is no ill one; therefore my heart is not wrung for

these parts like you. Now I see the words on thy lips; so I tell thee that Blaise thy brother is alive and well and happy; which last word means that

w went the war with

rothea, who rode by him now as Ursula. But Richard spake: "Short is the tale to tell. I slew him in shock of battle, and his men craved

old sorrow. Ursula looked on him lovingly and blithely; and when they were within doors Richard turned to the Sage and said: "Hail to thee, reverend man! wert thou forty years older to behold, outwor

at like am I yet to myself of forty yea

de a banquet to be brought in thither. So they went up into a goodly chamber high aloft; and Ursula went forth from it awhile, and came back presently clad in very fair woman's raiment, which Ralph had bought for her at Goldburg. Richard looked on her and nothing else for a while; then he walked about th

bantling and cosset him in whatso corner thou wilt,

all sadden thee by my question, but I mind me what our last talking together was about

t not," quoth he, "since sh

ay, that she is without a blemish.

nd is this woman of a good heart? Is she va

: "How may I tell, unless they were tried in one way?" Y

ard. "Truer than myself," said Ralph

r than well; for now hast thou wedded into the World o

at last he said: "Old friend, I were well content if thou wert t

w I have said it, and thou needest not fear me, what I have to say thereon an

gs how it had betid, bringing in all that Ursula had told him of Utterbol; while as for her she put in no word of it. So that at last Ralph, being wishful to hear her tell somewhat, made more of some things than was really in them, so t

e), Richard said: "Well, fosterling, thou hast seen much, and done much, and many would say that thou art a luc

save to the House of my Fathers, and the fields that fed them? What should I do but live amongst my people, warding them from evil, and loving

man than thou wert, and the Master of Masters maybe. To Upmeads wilt thou go; but wilt thou abide there? Upmeads is a fair land, but a narrow; one day is like

upon whom should they call to their helping rather than him who can help them most, and is their very lord?" Said Richard: "It may be so, wise man, though as yet we

h brought back peace to the land, it will be so that both he shall need the people, and they him, so that if

een silence awhile: "Wise man, thou sayest sooth; yea, and so it is, that though we here have heard no tale concerning war in Upmeads, yet, as it were, we have been feeling some stirring

said: "When shall to-morrow be, that we may get us gone fr

other's son and tell him of thine haps?" "Yea," said Ralph, "and so would

night; but make this hour the sunrise, and begone by the cl

st thou not that as now he speaketh as a Friend of the Well, and wo

rawing nigh to the High House of Upmeads: yea, or if the very House were shining as a

though the night be growing old; we shall go our ways, dear friend, and mayhappen we shall meet again, and mayhappen not: and thou shalt tell my brother Blaise who wotteth not of my coming h

l younger and defter than I be. But now suffer me to send a swain for my horse and arms, and another to the captain of the watch at West-gate Bar that he be ready to open to me and three of my friends, and to send me a let-pass for the occasion. So shall we go forth ere it be known that the brother

bid the host here open his gates with little noise when we be ready; and we will presently ride out by the clear of the moon. But thou, beloved, shalt don thine armour no more, but shalt ride henceforth in thy woman's raiment, for the wild and the wast

n dealing with the messengers. But the Sage said: "Ralph, my son, since ye have lost one man-at-arms, and have gotten but this golden angel in his stead, I may better t

or as need be. By this time was Richard's horse and war-gear come, and he armed him speedily and gave money to the host, and they rode therewith all four out of the hostel, and found the street empty a