Nay,evennow,asIlookonthee,themeadow—sweetthathangethfromthygirdle—steadhaswaxendull,andwelted;andtheblossomingeyebrightthatisforahemtothelittlewhitecoatoftheeisalreadyforgettinghowtobebrightandblue。Whatsayestthouthen?\"
Shelaughedathisword,andstoodstill,andlookedbackoverhershoulder,whilewithherfingersshedealtwiththeflowersabouthersideliketoabirdpreeninghisfeathers。Thenshesaid:\"Isitverilysoasthousayest?Lookagain!\"
Sohelooked,andwondered;forlo!beneathhiseyesthespiresofthemeadow—sweetgrewcrispandclearagain,theeyebrightblossomsshoneoncemoreoverthewhitenessofherlegs;theeglantinerosesopened,andallwasasfreshandbrightasifitwerestillgrowingonitsownroots。
Hewondered,andwasevensomedealaghast;butshesaid:\"Dearfriend,benottroubled!didInottelltheethatIamwiseinhiddenlore?Butinmywisdomshallbenolongeranyscathetoanyman。Andagain,thismywisdom,asItoldtheeerst,shallendonthedaywhereonIammadeallhappy。Anditisthouthatshallwielditall,myMaster。Yetmustmywisdomneedsendureforalittleseasonyet。Letusonthen,boldlyandhappily。\"
CHAPTERXXVI:THEYCOMETOTHEFOLKOFTHEBEARS
Ontheywent,andbeforelongtheywerecomeupontothedown—
country,wherewasscarceatree,savegnarledandknottythorn—
busheshereandthere,butnoughtelsehigherthanthewhin。Andhereontheseupperlandstheysawthatthepasturesweremuchburnedwiththedrought,albeitsummerwasnotwornold。Nowtheywentmakingduesouthtowardthemountains,whoseheadstheysawfromtimetotimerisingdeepblueoverthebleakgreynessofthedown—landridges。Andsotheywent,tillatlast,hardonsunset,aftertheyhadclimbedlongoverahighbent,theycametothebrowthereof,and,lookingdown,beheldnewtidings。
Therewasawidevalleybelowthem,greenerthanthedownswhichtheyhadcomeover,andgreeneryetamidmost,fromthewateringofastreamwhich,allbesetwithwillows,woundaboutthebottom。Sheepandneatwerepasturingaboutthedale,andmoreoveralonglineofsmokewasgoingupstraightintothewindlessheavensfromthemidstofaringoflittleroundhousesbuiltofturfs,andthatchedwithreed。Andbeyondthat,towardaneastward—lyingbightofthedale,theycouldseewhatlookedliketoadoom—ringofbigstones,thoughtherewerenorockyplacesinthatland。Aboutthecooking—fireamidstofthehouses,andhereandthereotherwhere,theysaw,standingorgoingtoandfro,hugefiguresofmenandwomen,withchildrenplayingaboutbetwixtthem。
Theystoodandgazeddownatitforaminuteortwo,andthoughallwereatpeacethere,yettoWalter,atleast,itseemedstrangeandawful。Hespakesoftly,asthoughhewouldnothavehisvoicereachthosemen,thoughtheywere,forsooth,outofearshotofanythingsaveashout:\"ArethesethenthechildrenoftheBear?Whatshallwedonow?\"
Shesaid:\"Yea,oftheBeartheybe,thoughtherebeotherfolksofthemfarandfarawaytothenorthwardandeastward,neartothebordersofthesea。Andastowhatweshalldo,letusgodownatonce,andpeacefully。Indeed,bynowtherewillbenoescapefromthem;forloyou!theyhaveseenus。\"
Forsooth,somethreeorfourofthebigmenhadturnedthemtowardthebentwhereonstoodthetwain,andwerehailingtheminhuge,roughvoices,wherein,howsoever,seemedtobenoangerorthreat。
SotheMaidtookWalterbythehand,andthustheywentdownquietly,andtheBear—folk,seeingthem,stoodalltogether,facingthem,toabidetheircoming。Waltersawofthem,thatthoughtheywereverytallandbiglymade,theywerenotsofarabovethestatureofmenastobemarvels。Thecarleswerelong—haired,andshaggyofbeard,andtheirhairallredortawny;theirskins,wheretheirnakedfleshshowed,wereburnedbrownwithsunandweather,buttoafairandpleasantbrown,noughtliketoblackamoors。Thequeanswerecomelyandwell—eyed;norwasthereanythingoffierceorevil—lookingabouteitherthecarlesorthequeans,butsomewhatgraveandsolemnofaspectwerethey。Cladweretheyall,savingtheyoungmen—children,butsomewhatscantily,andinnoughtsavesheep—skinsordeer—skins。
Forweaponstheysawamongstthemclubs,andspearsheadedwithboneorflint,anduglyaxesofbigflintssetinwoodenhandles;norwasthere,asfarastheycouldsee,eithernoworafterward,anybowamongstthem。Butsomeoftheyoungmenseemedtohaveslingsdoneabouttheirshoulders。
Nowwhentheywerecomebutthreefathomfromthem,theMaidlifteduphervoice,andspakeclearlyandsweetly:\"Hail,yefolkoftheBears!wehavecomeamongstyou,andthatforyourgoodandnotforyourhurt:whereforewewouldknowifwebewelcome。\"
Therewasanoldmanwhostoodforemostinthemidst,cladinamantleofdeer—skinsworkedverygoodly,andwithagoldringonhisarm,andachapletofbluestonesonhishead,andhespake:
\"Littleareye,butsogoodly,thatifyewerebutbigger,weshoulddeemthatyewerecomefromtheGods’House。YethaveIheard,thathowmightysoevermaytheGodsbe,andchieflyourGod,theybeatwhilesnoughtsobiglymadeasweoftheBears。Howthismaybe,I
wotnot。ButifyebenotoftheGodsortheirkindred,thenareyemerealiens;andweknownotwhattodowithaliens,savewemeettheminbattle,orgivethemtotheGod,orsavewemakethemchildrenoftheBear。Butyetagain,yemaybemessengersofsomefolkwhowouldbindfriendshipandalliancewithus:inwhichcaseyeshallattheleastdepartinpeace,andwhilesyearewithusshallbeourguestsinallgoodcheer。Now,therefore,webidyoudeclarethematteruntous。\"
ThenspaketheMaid:\"Father,itwereeasyforustodeclarewhatwebeuntoyouherepresent。But,meseemeth,yewhobegatheredroundthefireherethiseveningarelessthanthewholetaleofthechildrenoftheBear。\"
\"Soitis,Maiden,\"saidtheelder,\"thatmanymorechildrenhaththeBear。\"
\"Thisthenwebidyou,\"saidtheMaid,\"thatyesendthetokensroundandgatheryourpeopletoyou,andwhentheybeassembledintheDoom—ring,thenshallweputourerrandbeforeyou;andaccordingtothat,shallyedealwithus。\"
\"Thouhastspokenwell,\"saidtheelder;\"andevensohadwebiddenyouourselves。To—morrow,beforenoon,shallyestandintheDoom—
ringinthisDale,andspeakwiththechildrenoftheBear。\"
Therewithheturnedtohisownfolkandcalledoutsomething,whereofthosetwainknewnotthemeaning;andtherecametohim,oneafteranother,sixyoungmen,untoeachofwhomhegaveathingfromouthispouch,butwhatitwasWaltermightnotsee,savethatitwaslittleandofsmallaccount:toeach,also,hespakeawordortwo,andstraighttheysetoffrunning,oneaftertheother,turningtowardthebentwhichwasoveragainstthatwherebythetwainhadcomeintotheDale,andweresoonoutofsightinthegatheringdusk。
ThentheelderturnedhimagaintoWalterandtheMaid,andspake:
\"Manandwoman,whatsoeveryemaybe,orwhatsoevermayabideyouto—morrow,to—night,yearewelcomegueststous;sowebidyoucomeeatanddrinkatourfire。\"
Sotheysatalltogetheruponthegrassroundabouttheembersofthefire,andatecurdsandcheese,anddrankmilkinabundance;andasthenightgrewonthemtheyquickenedthefire,thattheymighthavelight。Thiswildfolktalkedmerrilyamongstthemselves,withlaughterenoughandfriendlyjests,buttothenew—comerstheywerefew—spoken,though,asthetwaindeemed,fornoenmitythattheyborethem。ButthisfoundWalter,thattheyoungerones,bothmenandwomen,seemedtofinditahardmattertokeeptheireyesoffthem;andseemed,withal,togazeonthemwithsomewhatofdoubt,or,itmightbe,offear。
Sowhenthenightwaswearingalittle,theelderaroseandbadethetwaintocomewithhim,andledthemtoasmallhouseorbooth,whichwasamidmostofall,andsomewhatbiggerthantheothers,andhedidthemtowitthattheyshouldresttherethatnight,andbadethemsleepinpeaceandwithoutfeartillthemorrow。Sotheyentered,andfoundbedsthereonofheatherandling,andtheylaidthemdownsweetly,likebrotherandsister,whentheyhadkissedeachother。Buttheynotedthatfourbriskmenlaywithoutthebooth,andacrossthedoor,withtheirweaponsbesidethem,sothattheymustneedslookuponthemselvesascaptives。
ThenWaltermightnotrefrainhim,butspake:\"Sweetanddearfriend,IhavecomealongwayfromthequayatLangton,andthevisionoftheDwarf,theMaid,andtheLady;andforthiskisswherewithIhavekissedtheee’ennow,andthekindnessofthineeyes,itwasworththetimeandthetravail。Butto—morrow,meseemeth,Ishallgonofurtherinthisworld,thoughmyjourneybefarlongerthanfromLangtonhither。AndnowmayGodandAllHallowskeeptheeamongstthiswildfolk,whenasIshallbegonefromthee。\"
Shelaughedlowandsweetly,andsaid:\"Dearfriend,dostthouspeaktomethusmournfullytomovemetolovetheebetter?Thenisthylabourlost;fornobettermayIlovetheethannowIdo;andthatiswithminewholeheart。Butkeepagoodcourage,Ibidthee;
forwebenotsunderedyet,norshallwebe。NordoIdeemthatweshalldiehere,orto—morrow;butmanyyearshence,afterwehaveknownallthesweetnessoflife。Meanwhile,Ibidtheegood—night,fairfriend!\"
CHAPTERXXVII:MORNINGAMONGSTTHEBEARS
SoWalterlaidhimdownandfellasleep,andknewnomoretillheawokeinbrightdaylightwiththeMaidstandingoverhim。Shewasfreshfromthewater,forshehadbeentotherivertobatheher,andthesunthroughtheopendoorfellstreamingonherfeetclosetoWalter’spillow。Heturnedaboutandcasthisarmaboutthem,andcaressedthem,whileshestoodsmilinguponhim;thenhearoseandlookedonher,andsaid:\"Howthouartfairandbrightthismorning!Andyet……andyet……wereitnotwellthatthoudoofftheeallthisfadedanddroopingbraveryofleavesandblossoms,thatmakeththeelookliketoajongleur’sdamselonamorrowofMay—day?\"
Andhegazedruefullyonher。
Shelaughedonhimmerrily,andsaid:\"Yea,andbeliketheseothersthinknobetterofmyattire,ornotmuchbetter;foryondertheyaregatheringsmallwoodfortheburnt—offering;which,forsooth,shallbethouandI,unlessIbetteritallbymeansofthewisdomI
learnedoftheoldwoman,andperfectedbetwixtthestripesofmyMistress,whomalittlewhileagothoulovedstsomewhat。\"
Andasshespakehereyessparkled,hercheekflushed,andherlimbsandherfeetseemedasiftheycouldscarcerefrainfromdancingforjoy。ThenWalterknithisbrow,andforamomentathoughthalf—
framedwasinhismind:Isitso,thatshewillbewraymeandlivewithoutme?andhecasthiseyesontotheground。Butshesaid:
\"Lookup,andintomineeyes,friend,andseeiftherebeinthemanyfalsenesstowardthee!ForIknowthythought;Iknowthythought。Dostthounotseethatmyjoyandgladnessisfortheloveofthee,andthethoughtoftherestfromtroublethatisathand?\"
Helookedup,andhiseyesmettheeyesofherlove,andhewouldhavecasthisarmsabouther;butshedrewabackandsaid:\"Nay,thoumustrefraintheeawhile,dearfriend,lestthesefolkcasteyesonus,anddeemusoverlover—likeforwhatIamtobidthemdeemme。Abideawhile,andthenshallallbeinmeaccordingtothywill。ButnowImusttelltheethatitisnotveryfarfromnoon,andthattheBearsarestreamingintotheDale,andalreadythereisanhostofmenattheDoom—ring,and,asIsaid,thebalefortheburnt—offeringiswellnighdight,whetheritbeforus,orforsomeothercreature。AndnowIhavetobidtheethis,anditwillbeathingeasyfortheetodo,towit,thatthoulookasifthouwertoftheraceoftheGods,andnottoblench,orshowsignofblenching,whateverbetide:toyea—saybothmyyea—sayandmynay—say:andlastlythis,whichistheonlyhardthingforthee(butthouhastalreadydoneitbeforesomewhat),tolookuponmewithnomasterfuleyesoflove,norasifthouwertatonceprayingmeandcommandingme;ratherthoushaltsodemeantheeasifthouwertmymanallsimply,andnowisemymaster。\"
\"Ofriendbeloved,\"saidWalter,\"hereatleastartthouthemaster,andIwilldoallthybidding,incertainhopeofthis,thateitherweshalllivetogetherordietogether。\"
Butastheyspoke,incametheelder,andwithhimayoungmaiden,bearingwiththemtheirbreakfastofcurdsaridcreamandstrawberries,andhebadethemeat。Sotheyate,andwerenotunmerry;andthewhileoftheireatingtheeldertalkedwiththemsoberly,butnothardly,orwithanyseemingenmity:andeverhistalkgatontothedrought,whichwasnowburningupthedown—
pastures;andhowthegrassinthewatereddales,whichwasnowidespreadofland,wouldnotholdoutmuchlongerunlesstheGodsentthemrain。AndWalternotedthatthosetwo,theelderandtheMaid,eyedeachothercuriouslyamidstofthistalk;theelderintentonwhatshemightsay,andifshegaveheedtohiswords;whileonhersidetheMaidansweredhisspeechgraciouslyandpleasantly,butsaidlittlethatwasofanyimport:norwouldshehavehimfixhereyes,whichwanderedlightlyfromthisthingtothat;norwouldherlipsgrowsternandstable,buteversmiledinanswertothelightofhereyes,asshesattherewithherfaceastheveryfaceofthegladnessofthesummerday。
CHAPTERXXVIII:OFTHENEWGODOFTHEBEARS
Atlasttheoldmansaid:\"Mychildren,yeshallnowcomewithmeuntotheDoom—ringofourfolk,theBearsoftheSouthernDales,anddelivertothemyourerrand;andIbeseechyoutohavepityuponyourownbodies,asIhavepityonthem;onthineespecially,Maiden,sofairandbrightacreatureasthouart;forsoitis,thatifyedealusoutlightandlyingwordsafterthemannerofdastards,yeshallmisstheworshipandgloryofwendingawayamidstoftheflames,agifttotheGodandahopetothepeople,andshallbepassedbytherodsofthefolk,untilyefaintandfailamongstthem,andthenshallyebethrustdownintotheflowattheDale’sEnd,andastone—ladenhurdlecastuponyou,thatwemaythenceforthforgetyourfolly。\"
TheMaidnowlookedfullintohiseyes,andWalterdeemedthattheoldmanshrankbeforeher;butshesaid:\"Thouartoldandwise,O
greatmanoftheBears,yetnoughtIneedtolearnofthee。NowleadusonourwaytotheSteadoftheErrands。\"
SotheelderbroughtthemalongtotheDoom—ringattheeasternendoftheDale;anditwasnowallpeopledwiththosehugemen,weaponedaftertheirfashion,andstandingup,sothatthegreystonesthereofbutshowedalittleovertheirheads。ButamidmostofthesaidRingwasabigstone,fashionedasachair,whereonsataveryoldman,long—hoaryandwhite—bearded,andoneithersideofhimstoodagreat—limbedwomancladinwar—gear,holding,eachofthem,alongspear,andwithaflint—bladedknifeinthegirdle;andtherewerenootherwomeninalltheMote。
ThentheelderledthosetwainintothemidstoftheMote,andtherebadethemgoupontoawide,flat—toppedstone,sixfeetabovetheground,justoveragainsttheancientchieftain;andtheymounteditbyaroughstair,andstoodtherebeforethatfolk;Walterinhisarrayoftheoutwardworld,whichhadbeenfairenough,ofcrimsonclothandsilk,andwhitelinen,butwasnowtravel—stainedandworn;andtheMaidwithnoughtuponher,savethesmockwhereinshehadfledfromtheGoldenHouseoftheWoodbeyondtheWorld,deckedwiththefadedflowerswhichshehadwreathedaboutheryesterday。
Nevertheless,soitwas,thatthosebigmeneyedherintently,andwithsomewhatofworship。
NowdidWalter,accordingtoherbidding,sinkdownonhiskneesbesideher,anddrawinghissword,holditbeforehim,asiftokeepallinterlopersalooffromtheMaid。AndtherewassilenceintheMote,andalleyeswerefixedonthosetwain。
Atlasttheoldchiefaroseandspake:\"Yemen,herearecomeamanandawoman,weknownotwhence;whereastheyhavegivenwordtoourfolkwhofirstmetthem,thattheywouldtelltheirerrandtononesavetheMoteofthePeople;whichitwastheirduetodo,iftheyweremindedtoriskit。Foreithertheybealienswithoutanerrandhither,save,itmaybe,tobeguileus,inwhichcasetheyshallpresentlydieanevildeath;ortheyhavecomeamongstusthatwemaygivethemtotheGodwithflint—edgeandfire;ortheyhaveamessagetousfromsomefolkorother,ontheissueofwhichliethlifeordeath。Nowshallyehearwhattheyhavetosayconcerningthemselvesandtheirfaringhither。But,meseemeth,itshallbethewomanwhoisthechiefandhaththewordinhermouth;for,loyou!
themankneelethatherfeet,asonewhowouldserveandworshipher。Speakoutthen,woman,andletourwarriorshearthee。\"
ThentheMaidlifteduphervoice,andspakeoutclearandshrilling,liketoafluteofthebestoftheminstrels:\"YemenoftheChildrenoftheBear,Iwouldaskyouaquestion,andletthechieftainwhosittethbeforemeanswerit。\"
Theoldmannoddedhishead,andshewenton:\"Tellme,ChildrenoftheBear,howlongatimeiswornsinceyesawtheGodofyourworshipmademanifestinthebodyofawoman!\"
Saidtheelder:\"Manywintershavewornsincemyfather’sfatherwasachild,andsawtheveryGodinthebodilyformofawoman。\"
Thenshesaidagain:\"Didyerejoiceathercoming,andwouldyerejoiceifoncemoreshecameamongstyou?\"
\"Yea,\"saidtheoldchieftain,\"forshegaveusgifts,andlearneduslore,andcametousinnoterribleshape,butasayoungwomanasgoodlyasthou。\"
ThensaidtheMaid:\"Now,then,isthedayofyourgladnesscome;
fortheoldbodyisdead,andIamthenewbodyofyourGod,comeamongstyouforyourwelfare。\"
ThenfellagreatsilenceontheMote,tilltheoldmanspakeandsaid:\"WhatshallIsayandlive?ForifthoubeverilytheGod,andIthreatenthee,wiltthounotdestroyme?Butthouhastspokenagreatwordwithasweetmouth,andhasttakentheburdenofbloodonthylilyhands;andiftheChildrenoftheBearbebefooledoflightliars,howshalltheyputtheshameoffthem?ThereforeI
say,showtousatoken;andifthoubetheGod,thisshallbeeasytothee;andifthoushowitnot,thenisthyfalsehoodmanifest,andthoushaltdreetheweird。Forweshalldelivertheeintothehandsofthesewomenhere,whoshallthrusttheedownintotheflowwhichishereby,aftertheyhaveweariedthemselveswithwhippingthee。ButthymanthatkneelethatthyfeetshallwegivetothetrueGod,andheshallgotoherbytheroadoftheflintandthefire。Hastthouheard?Thengivetousthesignandthetoken。\"
Shechangedcountenancenowhitathisword;buthereyeswerethebrighter,andhercheekthefresherandherfeetmovedalittle,asiftheyweregrowinggladbeforethedance;andshelookedoutovertheMote,andspakeinherclearvoice:\"Oldman,thouneedestnottofearforthywords。Forsoothitisnotmewhomthouthreatenestwithstripesandafouldeath,butsomelightfoolandliar,whoisnothere。Nowhearken!Iwotwellthatyewouldhavesomewhatofme,towit,thatIshouldsendyouraintoendthisdrought,whichotherwiseseemethliketolielonguponyou:butthisrain,Imustgointothemountainsofthesouthtofetchityou;thereforeshallcertainofyourwarriorsbringmeonmyway,withthismyman,uptothegreatpassofthesaidmountains,andweshallsetoutthitherwardthisveryday。\"
Shewassilentawhile,andalllookedonher,butnonespakeormoved,sothattheyseemedasimagesofstoneamongstthestones。
Thenshespakeagainandsaid:\"Somewouldsay,menoftheBear,thatthiswereasignandatokengreatenough;butIknowyou,andhowstubbornandperverseofheartyebe;andhowthatthegiftnotyetwithinyourhandisnogifttoyou;andthewonderyeseenot,yourheartstrownot。ThereforelookyeuponmeashereIstand,I
whohavecomefromthefairercountryandthegreenwoodofthelands,andseeifIbearnotthesummerwithme,andtheheartthatmakethincreaseandthehandthatgiveth。\"
Lothen!asshespake,thefadedflowersthathungabouthergatheredlifeandgrewfreshagain;thewoodbineroundherneckandhersleekshouldersknititselftogetherandembracedherfreshly,andcastitsscentaboutherface。Theliliesthatgirdedherloinslifteduptheirheads,andthegoldoftheirtasselsfelluponher;
theeyebrightgrewcleanblueagainuponhersmock;theeglantinefounditsbloomsagain,andthenbegantoshedtheleavesthereofuponherfeet;themeadow—sweetwreathedamongstitmadeclearthesweetnessofherlegs,andthemouse—earstuddedherraimentaswithgems。Thereshestoodamidstoftheblossoms,likeagreatorientpearlagainstthefretworkofthegoldsmiths,andthebreezethatcameupthevalleyfrombehindborethesweetnessofherfragranceallovertheMan—mote。
Then,indeed,theBearsstoodup,andshoutedandcried,andsmoteontheirshields,andtossedtheirspearsaloft。Thentheelderrosefromhisseat,andcameuphumblytowhereshestood,andprayedhertosaywhatshewouldhavedone;whiletheothersdrewaboutinknots,butdurstnotcomeverynightoher。Sheansweredtheancientchief,andsaid,thatshewoulddepartpresentlytowardthemountains,wherebyshemightsendthemtherainwhichtheylacked,andthatthenceshewouldawaytothesouthwardforawhile;
butthattheyshouldhearofher,or,itmightbe,seeher,beforetheywhowerenowofmiddleageshouldbegonetotheirfathers。
Thentheoldmanbesoughtherthattheymightmakeheralitteroffragrantgreenboughs,andsobearherawaytowardthemountainpassamidstatriumphofthewholefolk。Butsheleaptlightlydownfromthestone,andwalkedtoandfroonthegreensward,whileitseemedofherthatherfeetscarcetouchedthegrass;andshespaketotheancientchiefwherehestillkneeledinworshipofher,andsaid\"Nay;deemestthouofmethatIneedbearingbymen’shands,orthatIshalltireatallwhenIamdoingmywill,andI,theveryheartoftheyear’sincrease?Soitis,thatthegoingofmyfeetoveryourpasturesshallmakethemtothrive,boththisyearandthecomingyears:surelywillIgoafoot。\"
Sotheyworshippedherthemore,andblessedher;andthenfirstofalltheybroughtmeat,thedaintiesttheymight,bothforherandforWalter。ButtheywouldnotlookontheMaidwhilessheate,orsufferWaltertobeholdherthewhile。Afterwards,whentheyhadeaten,sometwentymen,weaponedaftertheirfashion,madethemreadytowendwiththeMaidenupintothemountains,andanontheysetoutthitherwardalltogether。Howbeit,thehugemenheldthemeversomewhatalooffromtheMaid;andwhentheycametotheresting—placeforthatnight,wherewasnohouse,foritwasupamongstthefoot—hillsbeforethemountains,thenitwasawondertoseehowcarefullytheybuiltupasleeping—placeforher,andtilteditoverwiththeirskin—cloaks,andhowtheywatchednightlongabouther。ButWaltertheyletsleeppeacefullyonthegrass,alittlewayalooffromthewatchersroundtheMaid。
CHAPTERXXIX:WALTERSTRAYSINTHEPASSANDISSUNDEREDFROMTHE
MAID
Morningcame,andtheyaroseandwentontheirways,andwentalldaytillthesunwasnighset,andtheywerecomeupintotheverypass;andinthejawsthereofwasanearthenhowe。TheretheMaidbadethemstay,andshewentupontothehowe,andstoodthereandspaketothem,andsaid:\"OmenoftheBear,Igiveyouthanksforyourfollowing,andIblessyou,andpromiseyoutheincreaseoftheearth。Butnowyeshallturnaback,andleavemetogomyways;andmymanwiththeironswordshallfollowme。Now,maybe,IshallcomeamongsttheBear—folkagainbeforelong,andyetagain,andlearnthemwisdom;butforthistimeitisenough。AndIshalltellyouthatyewerebesttohastenhomestraightwaytoyourhousesinthedownlanddales,fortheweatherwhichIhavebiddenforyouisevennowcomingforthfromtheforgeofstormsintheheartofthemountains。NowthislastwordIgiveyou,thattimesarechangedsinceIworethelastshapeofGodthatyehaveseen,whereforeachangeIcommandyou。Ifsobealienscomeamongstyou,Iwillnotthatyesendthemtomebytheflintandthefire;rather,unlesstheybebalefuluntoyou,andworthyofanevildeath,yeshallsufferthemtoabidewithyou;yeshallmakethembecomechildrenoftheBears,iftheybegoodlyenoughandworthy,andtheyshallbemychildrenasyebe;otherwise,iftheybeill—favouredandweakling,letthemliveandbethrallstoyou,butnotjoinwithyou,mantowoman。Nowdepartyewithmyblessing。\"
Therewithshecamedownfromthemound,andwentherwaysupthepasssolightly,thatitwastoWalter,standingamongsttheBears,asifshehadvanishedaway。ButthemenofthatfolkabodestandingandworshippingtheirGodforalittlewhile,andthatwhilehedurstnotsunderhimfromtheircompany。Butwhentheyhadblessedhimandgoneontheirwaybackward,hebetookhiminhastetofollowingtheMaid,thinkingtofindherabidinghiminsomenookofthepass。
Howsoever,itwasnowtwilightormore,and,forallhishaste,darknightovertookhim,sothatperforcehewasstayedamidstthetangleofthemountainways。And,moreover,erethenightwasgrownold,theweathercameuponhimonthebackofagreatsouthwind,sothatthemountainnooksrattledandroared,andtherewastherainandthehail,withthunderandlightning,monstrousandterrible,andallthehugearrayofasummerstorm。Sohewasdrivenatlasttocrouchunderabigrockandabidetheday。
Butnotsowerehistroublesatanend。Forunderthesaidrockhefellasleep,andwhenheawokeitwasdayindeed;butastothepass,thewaytherebywasblindwiththedrivingrainandtheloweringlift;sothat,thoughhestruggledaswellashemightagainstthestormandthetangle,hemadebutlittleway。
Andnowoncemorethethoughtcameonhim,thattheMaidwasofthefays,orofsomeraceevenmightier;anditcameonhimnownotaserst,withhalffearandwholedesire,butwithabitteroppressionofdread,oflossandmisery;sothathebegantofearthatshehadbutwonhislovetoleavehimandforgethimforanew—comer,afterthewontoffay—women,asoldtalestell。
Twodayshebattledthuswithstormandblindness,andwanhopeofhislife;forhewasgrowingweakandfordone。Butthethirdmorningthestormabated,thoughtherainyetfellheavily,andhecouldseehiswaysomewhataswellasfeelit:withalhefoundthatnowhispathwasleadinghimdownwards。Asitgrewdusk,hecamedownintoagrassyvalleywithastreamrunningthroughittothesouthward,andtherainwasnowbutlittle,comingdownbutindashesfromtimetotime。Sohecreptdowntothestream—side,andlayamongstthebushesthere;andsaidtohimself,thatonthemorrowhewouldgethimvictual,sothathemightlivetoseekhisMaidenthroughthewideworld。Hewasofsomewhatbetterheart:
butnowthathewaslaidquiet,andhadnomoreforthatpresenttotroublehimabouttheway,theanguishofhislossfelluponhimthekeener,andhemightnotrefrainhimfromlamentinghisdearMaidenaloud,asonewhodeemedhimselfintheemptywilderness:andthushelamentedforhersweetnessandherloveliness,andthekindnessofhervoiceandherspeech,andhermirth。Thenhefelltocryingoutconcerningthebeautyofhershaping,praisingthepartsofherbody,asherface,andherhands,andhershoulders,andherfeet,andcursingtheevilfatewhichhadsunderedhimfromthefriendlinessofher,andthepeerlessfashionofher。
CHAPTERXXX:NOWTHEYMEETAGAIN
Complainingthus—wise,hefellasleepfromsheerweariness,andwhenheawokeitwasbroadday,calmandbrightandcloudless,withthescentoftheearthrefreshedgoingupintotheheavens,andthebirdssingingsweetlyinthebushesabouthim:forthedalewhereuntohewasnowcomewasafairandlovelyplaceamidsttheshelvingslopesofthemountains,aparadiseofthewilderness,andnoughtbutpleasantandsweetthingsweretobeseenthere,nowthatthemornwassoclearandsunny。
Hearoseandlookedabouthim,andsawwhere,ahundredyardsaloof,wasathicketofsmallwood,asthornandelderandwhitebeam,allwreathedaboutwiththebinesofwayfaringtree;ithidabightofthestream,whichturnedroundaboutit,andbetwixtitandWalterwasthegrassshortandthick,andsweet,andallbesetwithflowers;andhesaidtohimselfthatitwasevensuchaplaceaswhereintheangelswereleadingtheBlessedinthegreatpaintedparadiseinthechoirofthebigchurchatLangtononHolm。Butlo!
ashelookedhecriedaloudforjoy,forforthfromthethicketontotheflowerygrasscameoneliketoanangelfromoutofthesaidpicture,white—cladandbare—foot,sweetofflesh,withbrighteyesandruddycheeks;foritwastheMaidherself。Soherantoher,andsheabodehim,holdingforthkindhandstohim,andsmiling,whilesheweptforjoyofthemeeting。Hethrewhimselfuponher,andsparednottokissher,hercheeksandhermouth,andherarmsandhershoulders,andwheresoevershewouldsufferit。Tillatlastshedrewabackalittle,laughingonhimforlove,andsaid:
\"Forbearnow,friend,foritisenoughforthistime,andtellmehowthouhastsped。\"
\"Ill,ill,\"saidhe。
\"Whatailsthee?\"shesaid。
\"Hunger,\"hesaid,\"andlongingforthee。\"
\"Well,\"shesaid,\"methouhast;thereisoneillquenched;takemyhand,andwewillseetotheotherone。\"
Sohetookherhand,andtoholditseemedtohimsweetbeyondmeasure。Buthelookedup,andsawalittlebluesmokegoingupintotheairfrombeyondthethicket;andhelaughed,forhewasweakwithhunger,andhesaid:\"Whoisatthecookingyonder?\"
\"Thoushaltsee,\"shesaid;andledhimtherewithintothesaidthicketandthroughit,andlo!afairlittlegrassyplace,fullofflowers,betwixtthebushesandthebightofthestream;andonthelittlesandyere,justoffthegreensward,wasafireofsticks,andbesideittwotroutslying,fatandred—flecked。
\"Hereisthebreakfast,\"saidshe;\"whenitwastimetowashthenightoffmee’ennow,Iwentdownthestrandhereintotheripplingshallow,andsawthebankbelowit,wherethewaterdrawstogetheryonder,anddeepens,thatitseemedliketoholdfish;andwhereasI
lookedtomeettheepresently,Igropedthebankforthem,goingsoftly;andlothou!Helpmenow,thatwecookthem。\"
Sotheyroastedthemontheredembers,andfelltoandatewell,bothofthem,anddrankofthewaterofthestreamoutofeachother’shollowhands;andthatfeastseemedglorioustothem,suchgladnesswentwithit。
Butwhentheyweredonewiththeirmeat,WaltersaidtotheMaid:
\"Andhowdidstthouknowthatthoushouldstseemepresently?\"
Shesaid,lookingonhimwistfully:\"Thisneedednowizardry。I
laynotsofarfromtheelastnight,butthatIheardthyvoiceandknewit。\"
Saidhe,\"Whydidstthounotcometomethen,sincethouheardestmebemoaningthee?\"
Shecasthereyesdown,andpluckedattheflowersandgrass,andsaid:\"Itwasdeartoheartheepraisingme;IknewnotbeforethatIwassosoredesired,orthatthouhadsttakensuchnoteofmybody,andfounditsodear。\"
Thenshereddenedsorely,andsaid:\"Iknewnotthataughtofmehadsuchbeautyasthoudidstbewail。\"
Andsheweptforjoy。Thenshelookedonhimandsmiled,andsaid:
\"Wiltthouhavetheverytruthofit?Iwentcloseuptothee,andstoodtherehiddenbythebushesandthenight。Andamidstthybewailing,Iknewthatthouwouldstsoonfallasleep,andinsoothI
out—wakedthee。\"
Thenwasshesilentagain;andhespakenot,butlookedonhershyly;andshesaid,reddeningyetmore:\"Furthermore,ImustneedstelltheethatIfearedtogototheeinthedarknight,andmyheartsoyearningtowardsthee。\"
Andshehungherheadadown;buthesaid:\"Isitsoindeed,thatthoufearestme?Thendoththatmakemeafraid——afraidofthynay—
say。ForIwasgoingtoentreatthee,andsaytothee:Beloved,wehavenowgonethroughmanytroubles;letusnowtakeagoodrewardatonce,andwedtogether,hereamidstthissweetandpleasanthouseofthemountains,erewegofurtheronourway;ifindeedwegofurtheratall。Forwhereshallwefindanyplacesweeterorhappierthanthis?\"
Butshespranguptoherfeet,andstoodtheretremblingbeforehim,becauseofherlove;andshesaid:\"Beloved,Ihavedeemedthatitweregoodforustogoseekmankindastheyliveintheworld,andtoliveamongstthem。Andasforme,Iwilltelltheethesooth,towit,thatIlongforthissorely。ForIfeelafraidinthewilderness,andasifIneededhelpandprotectionagainstmyMistress,thoughshebedead;andIneedthecomfortofmanypeople,andthethrongsofthecities。Icannotforgether:itwasbutlastnightthatIdreamed(Isupposeasthedawngrewa—cold)thatI
wasyetunderherhand,andshewasstrippingmeforthetorment;sothatIwokeuppantingandcryingout。Ipraytheebenotangrywithmefortellingtheeofmydesires;forifthouwouldstnothaveitso,thenherewillIabidewiththeeasthymate,andstrivetogathercourage。\"
Heroseupandkissedherface,andsaid:\"Nay,Ihadinsoothnomindtoabidehereforever;Imeantbutthatweshouldfeastawhilehere,andthendepart:soothitis,thatifthoudreadestthewilderness,somewhatIdreadthecity。\"
Sheturnedpale,andsaid:\"Thoushalthavethywill,myfriend,ifitmustbeso。Butbethinktheewebenotyetatourjourney’send,andmayhavemanythingsandmuchstrifetoendure,beforewebeatpeaceandinwelfare。NowshallItellthee——didInotbefore?——
thatwhileIamamaiduntouched,mywisdom,andsomedealofmight,abidethwithme,andonlysolong。ThereforeIentreatthee,letusgonow,sidebyside,outofthisfairvalley,evenasweare,sothatmywisdomandmightmayhelptheeatneed。For,myfriend,I
wouldnotthatourlivesbeshort,somuchofjoyashathnowcomeintothem。\"
\"Yea,beloved,\"hesaid,\"letusonstraightwaythen,andshortenthewhilethatsunderethus。\"
\"Love,\"shesaid,\"thoushaltpardonmeonetimeforall。Butthisistobesaid,thatIknowsomewhatofthehapsthatliealittlewayaheadofus;partlybymylore,andpartlybywhatIlearnedofthislandofthewildfolkwhilesthouwertlyingasleepthatmorning。\"
Sotheyleftthatpleasantplacebythewater,andcameintotheopenvalley,andwenttheirwaysthroughthepass;anditsoonbecamestonyagain,astheymountedthebentwhichwentupfromoutthedale。Andwhentheycametothebrowofthesaidbent,theyhadasightoftheopencountrylyingfairandjoyousinthesunshine,andamidstofit,againstthebluehills,thewallsandtowersofagreatcity。
ThensaidtheMaid:\"O,dearfriend,loyou!isnotthatourabodethatliethyonder,andissobeauteous?Dwellnotourfriendsthere,andourprotectionagainstuncouthwights,andmereevilthingsinguilefulshapes?Ocity,Ibidtheehail!\"
ButWalterlookedonher,andsmiledsomewhat;andsaid:\"Irejoiceinthyjoy。Buttherebeevilthingsinyondercityalso,thoughtheybenotfaysnordevils,oritisliketonocitythatIwotof。
Andineverycityshallfoesgrowuptouswithoutrhymeorreason,andlifethereinshallbetangleduntous。\"
\"Yea,\"shesaid;\"butinthewildernessamongstthedevils,whatwastobedonebymanlymightorvaliancy?TherehadstthoutofallbackupontheguileandwizardrywhichIhadfilchedfrommyveryfoes。Butwhenwecomedownyonder,thenshallthyvaliancyprevailtocleavethetangleforus。Orattheleast,itshallleaveataleoftheebehind,andIshallworshipthee。\"
Helaughed,andhisfacegrewbrighter:\"Masterymowsthemeadow,\"
quothhe,\"andonemanisoflittlemightagainstmany。ButI
promisetheeIshallnotbeslothfulbeforethee。\"
CHAPTERXXXI:THEYCOMEUPONNEWFOLK
Withthattheywentdownfromthebentagain,andcametowherethepassnarrowedsomuch,thattheywentbetwixtasteepwallofrockoneitherside;butafteranhour’sgoing,thesaidwallgavebacksuddenly,and,ortheywerewarealmost,theycameonanotherdaleliketothatwhichtheyhadleft,butnotsofair,thoughitwasgrassyandwellwatered,andnotsobigeither。Buthereindeedbefellachangetothem;forlo!tentsandpavilionspitchedinthesaidvalley,andamidstofitathrongofmen,mostlyweaponed,andwithhorsesreadysaddledathand。Sotheystayedtheirfeet,andWalter’sheartfailedhim,forhesaidtohimself:Whowottethwhatthesemenmaybe,savethattheybealiens?Itismostlikethatweshallbetakenasthralls;andthen,atthebest,weshallbesundered;andthatisallonewiththeworst。
ButtheMaid,whenshesawthehorses,andthegaytents,andthepennonsfluttering,andtheglitterofspears,andgleamingofwhitearmour,smoteherpalmstogetherforjoy,andcriedout:\"Herenowarecomethefolkofthecityforourwelcoming,andfairandlovelyarethey,andofmanythingsshalltheybethinking,andamanythingsshalltheydo,andweshallbepartakersthereof。Comethen,andletusmeetthem,fairfriend!\"
ButWaltersaid:\"Alas!thouknowestnot:wouldthatwemightflee!Butnowisitoverlate;soputweagoodfaceonit,andgotothemquietly,aserewhilewedidintheBear—country。\"
Sodidthey;andtheresunderedsixfromthemen—at—armsandcametothosetwain,andmadehumbleobeisancetoWalter,butspakenoword。
Thentheymadeastheywouldleadthemtotheothers,andthetwainwentwiththemwondering,andcameintotheringofmen—at—arms,andstoodbeforeanoldhoarknight,armedall,savehishead,withmostgoodlyarmour,andhealsobowedbeforeWalter,butspakenoword。
Thentheytookthemtothemasterpavilion,andmadesignstothemtosit,andtheybroughtthemdaintymeatandgoodwine。Andthewhileoftheireatingaroseupastiraboutthem;andwhentheyweredonewiththeirmeat,theancientknightcametothem,stillbowingincourteouswise,anddidthemtowitbysignsthattheyshoulddepart:andwhentheywerewithout,theysawalltheothertentsstruck,andmenbeginningtobusythemwithstrikingthepavilion,andtheothersmountedandrankedingoodorderfortheroad;andthereweretwohorse—littersbeforethem,whereintheywerebiddentomount,Walterinone,andtheMaidintheother,andnootherwisemighttheydo。Thenpresentlywasahornblown,andalltooktotheroadtogether;andWaltersawbetwixtthecurtainsofthelitterthatmen—at—armsrodeoneithersideofhim,albeittheyhadlefthimhisswordbyhisside。
Sotheywentdownthemountain—passes,andbeforesunsetweregottenintotheplain;buttheymadenostayfornightfall,savetoeatamorselanddrinkadraught,goingthroughthenightasmenwhoknewtheirwaywell。Astheywent,Walterwonderedwhatwouldbetide,andifperadventuretheyalsowouldbeforofferingthemuptotheirGods;whereastheywerealiensforcertain,andbelikealsoSaracens。MoreovertherewasacoldfearathisheartthatheshouldbesunderedfromtheMaid,whereastheirmastersnowweremightymenofwar,holdingintheirhandsthatwhichallmendesire,towit,themanifestbeautyofawoman。Yethestrovetothinkthebestofitthathemight。Andsoatlast,whenthenightwasfarspent,anddawnwasathand,theystayedatagreatandmightygateinahugewall。Theretheyblewloudlyonthehornthrice,andthereafterthegateswereopened,andtheyallpassedthroughintoastreet,whichseemedtoWalterintheglimmertobebothgreatandgoodlyamongsttheabodesofmen。Thenitwasbutalittleeretheycameintoasquare,wide—spreading,onesidewhereofWaltertooktobethefrontofamostgoodlyhouse。Therethedoorsofthecourtopenedtothemoreverthehornmightblow,though,forsooth,blowitdidloudlythreetimes;alltheyenteredtherein,andmencametoWalterandsignedtohimtoalight。Sodidhe,andwouldhavetarriedtolookaboutfortheMaid,buttheysuffereditnot,butledhimupahugestairintoachamber,verygreat,andbutdimlylightedbecauseofitsgreatness。Thentheybroughthimtoabeddightasfairasmightbe,andmadesignstohimtostripandlietherein。Perforcehedidso,andthentheyboreawayhisraiment,andlefthimlyingthere。Sohelaytherequietly,deemingitnoavailforhim,amother—nakedman,toseekescapethence;butitwaslongerehemightsleep,becauseofhistroubleofmind。Atlast,purewearinessgotthebetterofhishopesandfears,andhefellintoslumberjustasthedawnwaspassingintoday。
CHAPTERXXXII:OFTHENEWKINGOFTHECITYANDLANDOFSTARK—WALL
Whenheawokeagainthesunwasshiningbrightlyintothatchamber,andhelooked,andbeheldthatitwaspeerlessofbeautyandriches,amongstallthathehadeverseen:theceilingdonewithgoldandover—seablue;thewallshungwitharrasofthefairest,thoughhemightnottellwhatwasthehistorydonetherein。Thechairsandstoolswereofcarvenworkwellbe—painted,andamidmostwasagreativorychairunderaclothofestate,ofbawdekinofgoldandgreen,muchbe—pearled;andallthefloorwasoffineworkalexandrine。
Helookedonallthis,wonderingwhathadbefallenhim,whenlo!
therecamefolkintothechamber,towit,twoserving—menwell—
bedight,andthreeoldmencladinrichgownsofsilk。Thesecametohimand(stillbysigns,withoutspeech)badehimariseandcomewiththem;andwhenhebadethemlooktoitthathewasnaked,andlaugheddoubtfully,theyneitherlaughedinanswer,norofferedhimanyraiment,butstillwouldhavehimarise,andhedidsoperforce。
Theybroughthimwiththemoutofthechamber,andthroughcertainpassagespillaredandgoodly,tilltheycametoabathasfairasanymightbe;andtheretheserving—menwashedhimcarefullyandtenderly,theoldmenlookingonthewhile。Whenitwasdone,stilltheyofferednottoclothehim,butledhimout,andthroughthepassagesagain,backtothechamber。Onlythistimehemustpassbetweenadoublehedgeofmen,someweaponed,someinpeacefularray,butallcladgloriously,andfullchieftain—likeofaspect,eitherforvaliancyorwisdom。
Inthechamberitselfwasnowaconcourseofmen,ofgreatestatebydeemingoftheirarray;butallthesewerestandingorderlyinaringabouttheivorychairaforesaid。NowsaidWaltertohimself:
Surelyallthislookstowardtheknifeandthealtarforme;buthekeptastoutcountenancedespiteofall。
Sotheyledhimuptotheivorychair,andhebeheldoneithersidethereofabench,andoneachwaslaidasetofraimentfromtheshirtupwards;buttherewasmuchdiversitybetwixtthesearrays。
Foronewasallofrobesofpeace,gloriousandbe—gemmed,unmeetforanysaveagreatking;whiletheotherwaswar—weed,seemly,well—fashioned,butlittleadorned;nayrather,wornandbestainedwithweather,andthepeltingofthespear—storm。
NowthoseoldmensignedtoWaltertotakewhichofthoseraimentshewould,anddoiton。Helookedtotherightandtheleft,andwhenhehadlookedonthewar—gear,theheartaroseinhim,andhecalledtomindthearrayoftheGoldingsintheforefrontofbattle,andhemadeonesteptowardtheweapons,andlaidhishandthereon。
Thenranagladmurmurthroughthatconcourse,andtheoldmendrewuptohimsmilingandjoyous,andhelpedhimtodothemon;andashetookupthehelm,henotedthatoveritsbroadbrownironsatagoldencrown。
Sowhenhewascladandweaponed,girtwithasword,andasteelaxeinhishand,theeldersshowedhimtotheivorythrone,andhelaidtheaxeonthearmofthechair,anddrewforththeswordfromthescabbard,andsathimdown,andlaidtheancientbladeacrosshisknees;thenhelookedaboutonthosegreatmen,andspake:\"Howlongshallwespeaknowordtoeachother,orisitsothatGodhathstrickenyoudumb?\"
Thenalltheycriedoutwithonevoice:\"AllhailtotheKing,theKingofBattle!\"
SpakeWalter:\"IfIbeking,willyedomywillasIbidyou?\"
Answeredtheelder:\"Noughthavewewilltodo,lord,saveasthoubiddest。\"
SaidWalter:\"Thouthen,wiltthouansweraquestioninalltruth?\"
\"Yea,lord,\"saidtheelder,\"ifImayliveafterward。\"
ThensaidWalter:\"ThewomanthatcamewithmeintoyourCampoftheMountain,whathathbefallenher?\"
Theelderanswered:\"Noughthathbefallenher,eitherofgoodorevil,savethatshehathsleptandeatenandbathedher。What,then,istheKing’spleasureconcerningher?\"
\"Thatyebringherhithertomestraightway,\"saidWalter。
\"Yea,\"saidtheelder;\"andinwhatguiseshallwebringherhither?
shallshebearrayedasaservant,oragreatlady?\"
ThenWalterponderedawhile,andspakeatlast:\"Askherwhatisherwillherein,andasshewillhaveit,soletitbe。Butsetyeanotherchairbesidemine,andleadherthereto。Thouwiseoldman,sendoneortwotobringherinhither,butabidethou,forIhaveaquestionortwotoaskoftheeyet。Andye,lords,abideherethecomingofmyshe—fellow,ifitwearyyounot。\"
Sotheelderspaketothreeofthemosthonourableofthelords,andtheywenttheirwaystobringintheMaid。
CHAPTERXXXIII:CONCERNINGTHEFASHIONOFKING—MAKINGINSTARK—WALL
MeanwhiletheKingspaketotheelder,andsaid:\"NowtellmewhereofIambecomeking,andwhatisthefashionandcauseoftheking—making;forwondrousitistome,whereasIambutanalienamidstofmightymen。\"
\"Lord,\"saidtheoldman,\"thouartbecomekingofamightycity,whichhathunderitmanyothercitiesandwidelands,andhavensbythesea—side,andwhichlackethnowealthwhichmendesire。Manywisemendwelltherein,andoffoolsnotmorethaninotherlands。
Avalianthostshallfollowtheetobattlewhenneedsmustthouwendafield;anhostnottobewithstood,savebytheancientGod—folk,ifanyofthemwereleftupontheearth,asbelikenoneare。Andastothenameofoursaidcity,ithighttheCityoftheStark—wall,ormoreshortly,Stark—wall。Nowastothefashionofourking—
making:Ifourkingdiethandleavethanheirmale,begottenofhisbody,thenishekingafterhim;butifhedieandleavenoheir,thensendweoutagreatlord,withknightsandsergeants,tothatpassofthemountainwheretoyecameyesterday;andthefirstmanthatcomethuntothem,theytakeandleadtothecity,astheydidwiththee,lord。Forwebelieveandtrowthatofoldtimeourforefatherscamedownfromthemountainsbythatsamepass,poorandrude,butfullofvaliancy,beforetheyconqueredtheselands,andbuildedtheStark—wall。Butnowfurthermore,whenwehavegottenthesaidwanderer,andbroughthimhometoourcity,webeholdhimmother—naked,allthegreatmenofus,bothsagesandwarriors;thenifwefindhimill—fashionedandcounterfeitofhisbody,werollhiminagreatcarpettillhedies;orwhiles,ifhebebutasimpleman,andwithoutguile,wedeliverhimforthralltosomeartificeramongstus,asashoemaker,awright,orwhatnot,andsoforgethim。Butineithercasewemakeasifnosuchmanhadcometous,andwesendagainthelordandhisknightstowatchthepass;forwesaythatsuchanonetheFathersofoldtimehavenotsentus。Butagain,whenwehaveseentothenew—comerthatheiswell—fashionedofhisbody,allisnotdone;forwedeemthatneverwouldtheFatherssendusadoltoracraventobeourking。Thereforewebidthenakedonetaketohimwhichhewilloftheseraiments,eithertheancientarmour,whichnowthoubearest,lord,orthisgoldenraimenthere;andifhetakethewar—gear,asthoutakedstit,King,itiswell;butifhetaketheraimentofpeace,thenhathhethechoiceeithertobethrallofsomegoodmanofthecity,ortobeprovenhowwisehemaybe,andsofarethenarrowedgebetwixtdeathandkingship;forifhefallshortofhiswisdom,thenshallhediethedeath。Thusisthyquestionanswered,King,andpraisebetotheFathersthattheyhavesentusonewhomnonemaydoubt,eitherforwisdomorvaliancy。\"
CHAPTERXXXIV:NOWCOMETHTHEMAIDTOTHEKING
ThenalltheybowedbeforetheKing,andhespakeagain:\"WhatisthatnoisethatIhearwithout,asifitweretherisingoftheseaonasandyshore,whenthesouth—westwindisblowing。\"
Thentheelderopenedhismouthtoanswer;butbeforehemightgetouttheword,therewasastirwithoutthechamberdoor,andthethrongparted,andlo!amidstofthemcametheMaid,andsheyetcladinnoughtsavethewhitecoatwherewithshehadwonthroughthewilderness,savethatonherheadwasagarlandofredroses,andhermiddlewaswreathedwiththesame。FreshandfairshewasasthedawnofJune;herfacebright,red—lipped,andclear—eyed,andhercheeksflushedwithhopeandlove。ShewentstraighttoWalterwherehesat,andlightlyputawaywithherhandtheelderwhowouldleadhertotheivorythronebesidetheKing;butshekneltdownbeforehim,andlaidherhandonhissteel—cladknee,andsaid:\"O
mylord,nowIseethatthouhastbeguiledme,andthatthouwertallalongaking—bornmancominghometothyrealm。Butsodearthouhastbeentome;andsofairandclear,andsokindwithaldothineeyesshineonmefromunderthegreywar—helm,thatIwillbeseechtheenottocastmeoututterly,butsuffermetobethyservantandhandmaidforawhile。Wiltthounot?\"
ButtheKingstoopeddowntoherandraisedherup,andstoodonhisfeet,andtookherhandsandkissedthem,andsetherdownbesidehim,andsaidtoher:\"Sweetheart,thisisnowthyplacetillthenightcometh,evenbymyside。\"
Soshesatdowntheremeekandvaliant,herhandslaidinherlap,andherfeetoneovertheother;whiletheKingsaid:\"Lords,thisismybeloved,andmyspouse。Now,therefore,ifyewillhavemeforKing,yemustworshipthisoneforQueenandLady;orelsesufferusbothtogoourwaysinpeace。\"
Thenalltheythatwereinthechambercriedoutaloud:\"TheQueen,theLady!Thebelovedofourlord!\"
Andthiscrycamefromtheirhearts,andnottheirlipsonly;forastheylookedonher,andthebrightnessofherbeauty,theysawalsothemeeknessofherdemeanour,andthehighheartofher,andtheyallfelltolovingher。Buttheyoungmenofthem,theircheeksflushedastheybeheldher,andtheirheartswentouttoher,andtheydrewtheirswordsandbrandishedthemaloft,andcriedoutforherasmenmadesuddenlydrunkwithlove:\"TheQueen,theLady,thelovelyone!\"
CHAPTERXXXV:OFTHEKINGOFSTARK—WALLANDHISQUEEN
Butwhilethisbetid,thatmurmurwithout,whichisaforesaid,grewlouder;anditsmoteontheKing’sear,andhesaidagaintotheelder:\"Tellusnowofthatnoisewithoutward,whatisit?\"
Saidtheelder:\"Ifthou,King,andtheQueen,wiltbutariseandstandinthewindow,andgoforthintothehanginggallerythereof,thenshallyeknowatoncewhatisthisrumour,andtherewithalshallyeseeasightmeettorejoicetheheartofakingnewcomeintokingship。\"
SotheKingaroseandtooktheMaidbythehand,andwenttothewindowandlookedforth;andlo!thegreatsquareoftheplaceallthrongedwithfolkasthickastheycouldstand,andthemorepartofthecarleswithaweaponinhand,andmanyarmedrightgallantly。
ThenhewentoutintothegallerywithhisQueen,stillholdingherhand,andhislordsandwisemenstoodbehindhim。Straightwaythenaroseacry,andashoutofjoyandwelcomethatrenttheveryheavens,andthegreatplacewasallglitteringandstrangewiththetossingupofspearsandthebrandishingofswords,andthestretchingforthofhands。
ButtheMaidspakesoftlytoKingWalterandsaid:\"Herethenisthewildernessleftbehindalongway,andhereiswardingandprotectionagainstthefoesofourlifeandsoul。Oblessedbethouandthyvaliantheart!\"
ButWalterspakenothing,butstoodasoneinadream;andyet,ifthatmightbe,hislongingtowardherincreasedmanifold。
Butdownbelow,amidstofthethrong,stoodtwoneighbourssomewhatanightothewindow;andquothonetotheother:\"Seethou!thenewmanintheancientarmouroftheBattleoftheWaters,bearingtheswordthatslewthefoemankingontheDayoftheDoubtfulOnset!
Surelythisisasignofgood—lucktousall。\"
\"Yea,\"saidthesecond,\"hebearethhisarmourwell,andtheeyesarebrightintheheadofhim:buthastthoubeheldwellhisshe—
fellow,andwhatthelikeofheris?\"
\"Iseeher,\"saidtheother,\"thatsheisafairwoman;yetsomewhatworsecladthansimply。Sheisinhersmock,man,andwereitnotforthebalustersIdeemyeshouldseeherbarefoot。Whatisamisswithher?\"
\"Dostthounotseeher,\"saidthesecondneighbour,\"thatsheisnotonlyafairwoman,butyetmore,oneofthoselovelyonesthatdrawtheheartoutofaman’sbody,onemayscarcesayforwhy?SurelyStark—wallhathcastaluckynetthistime。Andastoherraiment,Iseeofherthatsheiscladinwhiteandwreathedwithroses,butthatthefleshofherissowhollypureandsweetthatitmakethallherattirebutapartofherbody,andhallowethit,sothatithaththesemblanceofgems。Alas,myfriend!letushopethatthisQueenwillfareabroadunseldomamongstthepeople。\"
Thus,then,theyspake;butafterawhiletheKingandhismatewentbackintothechamber,andhegavecommandthatthewomenoftheQueenshouldcomeandfetchheraway,toattireherinroyalarray。
Andthithercamethefairestofthehonourabledamsels,andwerefainofbeingherwaiting—women。TherewithaltheKingwasunarmed,anddightmostgloriously,butstillheboretheSwordoftheKing’sSlaying:andsithenceweretheKingandtheQueenbroughtintothegreathallofthepalace,andtheymetonthedais,andkissedbeforethelordsandotherfolkthatthrongedthehall。Theretheyateamorselanddrankacuptogetherwhileallbeheldthem;andthentheywerebroughtforth,andawhitehorseofthegoodliest,wellbedight,broughtforeachofthem,andthereontheymountedandwenttheirwaystogether,bythelanewhichthehugethrongmadeforthem,tothegreatchurch,forthehallowingandthecrowning;andtheywereledbyonesquirealone,andheunarmed;forsuchwasthecustomofStark—wallwhenanewkingshouldbehallowed:socametheytothegreatchurch(forthatfolkwasnotmiscreant,sotosay),andtheyenteredit,theytwoalone,andwentintothechoir:
andwhentheyhadstoodtherealittlewhilewonderingattheirlot,theyheardhowthebellsfella—ringingtunefullyovertheirheads;
andthendrewnearthesoundofmanytrumpetsblowingtogether,andthereafterthevoicesofmanyfolksinging;andthenwerethegreatdoorsthrownopen,andthebishopandhispriestscameintothechurchwithsingingandminstrelsy,andthereaftercamethewholethrongofthefolk,andpresentlythenaveofthechurchwasfilledbyit,aswhenthewaterfollowsthecuttingofthedam,andfillsupthedyke。Thereaftercamethebishopandhismatesintothechoir,andcameuptotheKing,andgavehimandtheQueenthekissofpeace。Thiswasmasssunggloriously;andthereafterwastheKinganointedandcrowned,andgreatjoywasmadethroughoutthechurch。Afterwardstheywentbackafoottothepalace,theytwoalonetogether,withnonebuttheesquiregoingbeforetoshowthemtheway。Andastheywent,theypassedclosebesidethosetwoneighbours,whosetalkhasbeentoldofafore,andthefirstone,hewhohadpraisedtheKing’swar—array,spakeandsaid:\"Truly,neighbour,thouartintherightofit;andnowtheQueenhasbeendightduly,andhathacrownonherhead,andiscladinwhitesamitedonealloverwithpearls,Iseehertobeofexceedinggoodliness;asgoodly,maybe,astheLordKing。\"
Quoththeother:\"Untomesheseemethasshedide’ennow;sheiscladinwhite,asthenshewas,anditisbyreasonofthepureandsweetfleshofherthatthepearlsshineoutandglow,andbytheholinessofherbodyisherrichattirehallowed;but,forsooth,itseemedtomeasshewentpastasthoughparadisehadcomeanightoourcity,andthatalltheairbreathedofit。SoIsay,praisebetoGodandHisHallowswhohathsufferedhertodwellamongstus!\"
Saidthefirstman:\"Forsooth,itiswell;butknowestthouatallwhenceshecometh,andofwhatlineageshemaybe?\"
\"Nay,\"saidtheother,\"Iwotnotwhencesheis;butthisIwotfullsurely,thatwhenshegoethaway,theywhomsheleadethwithhershallbewellbestead。Again,ofherlineagenoughtknowI;butthisIknow,thattheythatcomeofher,tothetwentiethgeneration,shallblessandpraisethememoryofher,andhallowhernamelittlelessthantheyhallowthenameoftheMotherofGod。\"
Sospakethosetwo;buttheKingandQueencamebacktothepalace,andsatamongthelordsandatthebanquetwhichwasheldthereafter,andlongwasthetimeoftheirglory,tillthenightwasfarspentandallmenmustseektotheirbeds。
CHAPTERXXXVI:OFWALTERANDTHEMAIDINTHEDAYSOFTHEKINGSHIP
Longitwas,indeed,tillthewomen,bytheKing’scommand,hadbroughttheMaidtotheKing’schamber;andhemether,andtookherbytheshouldersandkissedher,andsaid:\"Artthounotweary,sweetheart?Dothnotthecity,andthethrongingfolk,andthewatchingeyesofthegreatones……dothitnotalllieheavyonthee,asitdothuponme?\"
Shesaid:\"Andwhereisthecitynow?isnotthisthewildernessagain,andthouandIalonetogethertherein?\"
Hegazedathereagerly,andshereddened,sothathereyesshonelightamidstthedarknessoftheflushofhercheeks。
Hespaketremblingandsoftly,andsaid:\"Isitnotinonematterbetterthanthewilderness?isnotthefeargone,yea,everywhitthereof?\"
Thedarkflushhadleftherface,andshelookedonhimexceedingsweetly,andspokesteadilyandclearly:\"Evensoitis,beloved。\"
Therewithshesetherhandtothegirdlethatgirtherloins,anddiditoff,andhelditouttowardhim,andsaid:\"Hereisthetoken;thisisamaid’sgirdle,andthewomanisungirt。\"
Sohetookthegirdleandherhandwithal,andcasthisarmsabouther:andamidstthesweetnessoftheirloveandtheirsafety,andassuredhopeofmanydaysofjoy,theyspaketogetherofthehourswhentheyfaredtherazor—edgebetwixtguileandmiseryanddeath,andthesweeteryetitgrewtothembecauseofit;andmanythingsshetoldhimerethedawn,oftheevildaysbygone,andthedealingsoftheMistresswithher,tillthegreydaystoleintothechambertomakemanifestherloveliness;which,forsooth,wasbettereventhanthedeemingofthatmanamidstthethrongwhosehearthadbeensodrawntowardsher。Sotheyrejoicedtogetherinthenewday。
Butwhenthefulldaywas,andWalterarose,hecalledhisthanesandwisementothecouncil;andfirsthebadeopentheprison—
doors,andfeedtheneedyandclothethem,andmakegoodcheertoallmen,highandlow,richandunrich;andthereafterhetookcounselwiththemonmanymatters,andtheymarvelledathiswisdomandthekeennessofhiswit;andsoitwas,thatsomewerebuthalfpleasedthereat,whereastheysawthattheirwillwasliketogivewaybeforehisinallmatters。Butthewiserofthemrejoicedinhim,andlookedforgooddayswhilehislifelasted。
Nowofthedeedsthathedid,andhisjoysandhisgriefs,thetaleshalltellnomore;norofhowhesawLangtonagain,andhisdealingsthere。
InStark—wallhedwelt,andreignedaKing,wellbelovedofhisfolk,sorelyfearedoftheirfoemen。Strifehehadtodealwith,athomeandabroad;butthereinhewasnotquelled,tillhefellasleepfairandsoftly,whenthisworldhadnomoreofdeedsforhimtodo。
Normayitbesaidthattheneedylamentedhim;fornoneedyhadheleftinhisownland。Andfewfoesheleftbehindtohatehim。
AstotheMaid,shesowaxedinlovelinessandkindness,thatitwasayear’sjoyforanytohavecasteyesuponherinstreetoronfield。Allwizardrylefthersincethedayofherwedding;yetofwitandwisdomshehadenoughleft,andtospare;forsheneedednogoingabout,andnoguile,anymorethanhardcommands,tohaveherwilldone。Solovedshewasbyallfolk,forsooth,thatitwasamerejoyforanytogoabouthererrands。Tobeshort,shewastheland’sincrease,andthecity’ssafeguard,andtheblissofthefolk。
Somewhat,asthedayspassed,itmisgaveherthatshehadbeguiledtheBear—folktodeemhertheirGod;andsheconsideredandthoughthowshemightatoneit。
SothesecondyearaftertheyhadcometoStark—wall,shewentwithcertainfolktotheheadofthepassthatleddowntotheBears;andthereshestayedthemen—at—arms,andwentonfurtherwithatwoscoreofhusbandmenwhomshehadredeemedfromthralldominStark—
wall;andwhentheywerehardonthedalesoftheBears,sheleftthemthereinacertainlittledale,withtheirwainsandhorses,andseed—corn,andirontools,andwentdownallbird—alonetothedwellingofthosehugemen,unguardednowbysorcery,andtrustinginnoughtbutherlovelinessandkindness。Cladshewasnow,aswhenshefledfromtheWoodbeyondtheWorld,inashortwhitecoatalone,withbarefeetandnakedarms;butthesaidcoatwasnowembroideredwiththeimageryofblossomsinsilkandgold,andgems,whereasnowherwizardryhaddepartedfromher。
SoshecametotheBears,andtheyknewheratonce,andworshippedandblessedher,andfearedher。Butshetoldthemthatshehadagiftforthem,andwascometogiveit;andtherewithshetoldthemoftheartoftillage,andbadethemlearnit;andwhentheyaskedherhowtheyshoulddoso,shetoldthemofthemenwhowereabidingtheminthemountaindale,andbadetheBearstakethemfortheirbrothersandsonsoftheancientFathers,andthentheyshouldbetaughtofthem。Thistheybehighthertodo,andsosheledthemtowhereherfreedmenlay,whomtheBearsreceivedwithalljoyandloving—kindness,andtookthemintotheirfolk。
Sotheywentbacktotheirdalestogether;buttheMaidwentherwaysbacktohermen—at—armsandthecityofStark—wall。
ThereaftershesentmoregiftsandmessagestotheBears,butneveragainwentherselftoseethem;forasgoodafaceassheputonitthatlasttime,yetherheartwaxedcoldwithfear,anditalmostseemedtoherthatherMistresswasaliveagain,andthatshewasescapingfromherandplottingagainstheroncemore。
AsfortheBears,theythroveandmultiplied;tillatlaststrifearosegreatandgrimbetwixtthemandotherpeoples;fortheyhadbecomemightyinbattle:yea,onceandagaintheymetthehostofStark—wallinfight,andoverthrewandwereoverthrown。ButthatwasalongwhileaftertheMaidhadpassedaway。
NowofWalterandtheMaidisnomoretobetold,savingthattheybegatbetweenthemgoodlysonsandfairdaughters;whereofcameagreatlineageinStark—wall;whichlineagewassostrong,andenduredsolongawhile,thatbythenithaddiedout,folkhadcleanforgottentheirancientCustomofking—making,sothatafterWalterofLangtontherewasneveranotherkingthatcamedowntothempoorandlonelyfromoutoftheMountainsoftheBears。