,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #ah 
,( ,RALPH 9 ! ,CA/LE ( ,ABUNDANCE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,BROAD LAY ! SUN UPON ! PLA9 AMID ! WILDWOOD :5 HE AWOKE & SPRANG \T ( B$ & LOOK$ \T ( ! W9D[ 7= ! *AMB] WAS 9 ! GABLE ( ! HALL & !RE WAS NAU<T ( ! CA/LE BEYOND IT74 ,IT WAS BUT LITTLE AFT] NOON ( A FAIR ,JUNE DAY1 = ,RALPH HAD SLUMB]$ AS IT BEHOOV$ A Y\NG MAN4 ,! LI<T W9D BORE 9TO ! *AMB] ! SWEET SC5TS ( ! E>LY SUMM]1 ! *IEF ( ALL ( !M BE+ ! SAVOR ( ! NEW-CUT GRASS1 = AB\T ! WIDE MEAD[S ! C>LES & QUE5S W]E AWORK AT ! BEG9N+ ( HAY H>VE/2 & LATE AS IT WAS 9 ! DAY1 MORE ?AN ONE BLACKBIRD WAS S++ FROM ! BU%ES ( ! CA/LE PLEASANCE4 ,RALPH SI<$ = V]Y PLEASURE ( LIFE BE=E HE HAD YET WELL REMEMB]$ :]E HE WAS OR :AT HAD BEFALL5 ( LATE2 BUT AS HE /OOD AT ! W9D[ & GAZ$ OV] ! MEAD[S1 & ! MEMORY ( ALL CAME BACK TO HIM1 HE SI<$ ONCE MORE = A LACK ( SOME:AT ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HE>T1 & HE SMIL$ %AMEFAC$LY1 ?\< !RE WAS NO ONE NE>1 AS HIS ?\<T BADE HIM WOND] IF AMONG ! HAYMAK+ WOM5 YOND] !RE W]E ANY AS FAIR AS ?OSE YELL[-CLAD ?RALL-WOM5 ( ! ,BURG2 & AS HE TURN$ FROM ! W9D[ A NEW HOPE MADE HIS HE>T BEAT1 = HE DEEM$ ?AT HE HAD BE5 BR\<T TO ?AT H\SE ?AT HE MI<T MEET SOME ONE :O %\LD *ANGE HIS LIFE & MAKE HIM A NEW MAN4  

,SO HE DID ON HIS RAIM5T & W5T HIS WAYS D[N TO ! HALL1 & LOOK$ AB\T = ,ROG]1 BUT F\ND HIM NOT1 NOR ANY ONE ELSE SAVE ! C>L9E1 :O PRES5TLY CAME 9 FROM ! BUTT]Y1 & ( :OM HE ASK$1 :]E WAS ,ROG]4  ,QUO? %E3  0,HE HAS BE5 GONE !SE SIX H\RS1 BUT HA? LEFT A WORD = !E1 LORD1 TO WIT1 ?AT HE BESEE*ES !E TO ABIDE HIM H]E = TWO DAYS AT ! LEA/1 & !REAFT] ?\ >T FREE TO GO IF ?\ WILT4  ,BUT AS = ME0 7& !RE) %E SMIL$ ON HIM AS SWEETLY AS H] WR9KL$ OLD FACE MI<T COMPASS7 0,I SAY TO !E1 ABIDE BEYOND ?OSE TWO DAYS IF ,ROG] COME? NOT1 & AS LONG AS ?\ >T H]E ,I WILL MAKE !E ALL ! *E] ,I MAY4 ,& :O KN[E? BUT ?\ MAYE/ MEET WOR?Y ADV5TURES H]E4 ,SU* HAVE ]E N[ BEFALL5 GOOD KNI<TS 9 ?IS H\SE OR ANI< IT40  

0,I ?ANK !E1 MO!R10 QUO? ,RALPH1 0& IT IS LIKE ?AT ,I MAY ABIDE H]E BEYOND ! TWO DAYS IF ! ADV5TURE BEFALL ME NOT ]E !N4 ,BUT AT LEA/ ,I WILL BIDE ! EAT+ ( MY D9N] H]E TO-DAY40  

0,WELL IS !E1 FAIR LORD10 SAID ! C>L9E4  0,IF ?\ WILT BUT WALK 9 ! MEAD[ BUT A LITTLE HALF H\R ALL %ALL BE READY = !E4 ,=SOO? IT HAD BE5 DI<T BE=E N[1 BUT ?AT ,I WAIT$ ?Y COM+ =? FROM ?Y *AMB]1 = ,I W\LD NOT WAKE !E4  ,& ! SA9TS BE PRAIS$ = ! LONG SWEET SLEEP ?AT HA? PA9T$ ?Y GOODLY *EEKS40 ,SO SAY+ %E HURRI$ (F TO ! BUTT]Y1 LEAV+ ,RALPH LAU<+ AT H] \TSPOK5 FLATT]+ WORDS4  

,!N HE GOT HIM \T ( ! HALL & ! CA/LE1 = NO DOOR WAS %UT1 & !RE WAS NO MAN TO BE SE5 )9 OR AB\T ! H\SE4 ,SO HE WALK$ TO & FRO ! MEAD[ & SAW ! NEAT-H]DS 9 ! PA/URE1 & ! HAY-MAK+ FOLK BEYOND !M1 & ! S\ND ( !IR VOICES CAME TO HIM ON ! LITTLE AIRS ?AT W]E BREA?+4 ,HE ?\<T HE W\LD TALK TO SOME ( !SE FOLK ]E ! WORLD WAS MU* OLD]1 & ALSO HE NOT$ BETWE5 ! RIV] & ! WOOD MANY COTS ( ! HUSB&M5 TRIMLY BUILD$ & ?AT*$1 & AMID !M A LITTLE *UR*1 :ITE & DELICATE ( FA%ION2 BUT AS N[ HIS FACE WAS SET T[>D ! RIV] BECAUSE ( ! HOT DAY4 ,HE CAME TO A POOL A LITTLE BEL[ :]E A WOOD5 FOOT-BRIDGE CROSS$ ! WAT]1 & AB\T ! POOL W]E WILL[S GR[+1 :I* HAD NOT BE5 %R\D$ !SE EI<T YE>S1 & ! WAT] WAS CLE> AS GLASS ) A BOTTOM ( F9E S&4  ,!RE !N HE BA!D HIM1 & AS HE SPORT$ 9 ! WAT] HE BE?\<T HIM ( ! LONG SMOO? REA*ES ( ,UPMEADS ,WAT]1 & ! SWIMM+ L[ D[N AMID ! LONG SW++ WE$S BETWE5 ! *UCKLE ( ! RE$ SP>R[S1 :5 ! SUN WAS NEW RIS5 9 ! ,JULY MORN+4 ,:5 HE /OOD ON ! GRASS AGA91 :AT ) ! BRI<T WEA!R & FAIR LITTLE L&1 :AT ) ! FRE%NESS ( ! WAT]1 & HIS GOOD RE/1 & ! HOPE ( ADV5TURE TO COME1 HE FELT AS IF HE HAD NEV] BE5 M]RI] 9 HIS LIFE-DAYS4 ,)AL IT WAS A WEI<T (F HIS HE>T ?AT HE HAD ESCAP$ FROM ! TURMOIL ( ! W>S ( ! ,BURG ( ! ,F\R ,FRI?S1 & ! M5 ( ! ,DRY ,TREE1 & ! ,:EAT-WE>]S1 ) ! ?RALLDOM & /RIPES & FIRE-RAIS+1 & ! H>D LIFE ( /RIFE & GA9 ( ! WALL$ T[N & /RONG PLACE4  

,:5 HE CAME BACK TO ! CA/LE GATE !RE WAS ! C>L9E 9 ! WICKET PE]+ \T TO RI<T & LEFT1 SEEK+ HIM TO BR+ HIM 9 TO D9N]4 ,& :5 %E SAW HIM SO JOY\S1 ) HIS LIPS SMIL+ & HIS EYES DANC+ = MIR?1 %E ALSO BECAME JOY\S1 & SAID3  0,V]ILY1 IT IS A PITY ( !E ?AT !RE IS NEV] A FAIR DAMSEL OR SO TO LOOK ON !E & LOVE !E H]E TO-DAY4 ,F> W\LD MANY A MAID5 RUN TO KISS ?Y M\?1 FAIR LAD4 ,BUT N[ COME TO ?Y MEAT1 ?AT ?\ MAYE/ GR[ ! FAIR] & LA/ ! LONG]40  

,HE LAU<$ GAILY & W5T 9TO ! HALL ) H]1 & N[ WAS IT WELL DI<T ) BANK]S & DORS>S ( GOODLY FIGUR$ CLO?1 & ON ! WALLS A GOODLY HALL+ ( >RAS ( ! ,/ORY ( ,ALEX&]4 ,SO HE SAT TO TABLE1 & ! MEAT & DR9K WAS ( ! BE/1 & ! C>L9E S]V$ HIM1 PRAIS+ HIM EV] ) FULSOME WORDS AS HE ATE1 TILL HE WI%$ H] AWAY4  

,AFT] D9N] HE RE/$ A:ILE1 & CALL$ TO ! C>L9E & BADE H] BR+ HIM HIS SWORD & HIS BASNET4  0,:]E=E80 SAID %E4 0,:I!R WILT ?\80  

,SAID HE1 0,I W\LD WALK ABROAD TO DR9K ! AIR40  

0,WILT ?\ 9TO ! WILDWOOD80 SAID %E4  

0,NAY1 MO!R10 HE SAID1 0,I WILL BUT WALK AB\T ! MEAD[ & LOOK ON ! HAY-MAK+ FOLK40  

0,= ?AT10 SAID ! C>L9E1 0?\ NE$E/ NEI!R SWORD NOR HELM4 ,I WAS AFE>D ?AT ?\ W]T AB\T DEP>T+1 & ?Y DEP>TURE W\LD BE A GRIEF TO MY HE>T3  9 ! DEEP WOOD ?\ MI<TE/ BE SO BE/EAD AS TO NE$ A SWORD 9 ?Y FI/2 BUT :AT %\LD/ ?\ DO ) IT 9 ?IS ,PLA9 ( ,ABUNDANCE1 :]E >E NAU<T BUT PEACEFUL HUSB&M5 & FRANK & K9D MAID5S8 & ALL !SE >E AS IF !Y HAD DRUNK A DRAFT ( ! ,W,E,L,L ,A,T ,! ,W,O,R,L,D',S ,5,D40  

,RALPH />T$ AS %E SAID ! WORD1 BUT HELD HIS PEACE A:ILE4 ,!N HE SAID3  0,& :O IS LORD ( ?IS FAIR L&80 0,!RE IS NO LORD1 BUT A LADY10 SAID ! C>L9E4 0,H[ HI<T %E80 SAID ,RALPH4  0,WE CALL H] ! ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE10 SAID ! OLD WOMAN4  ,SAID ,RALPH3  0,IS %E A GOOD LADY80 0,%E IS MY LADY10 SAID ! C>L9E1 0& DOE? GOOD TO ME1 & !RE IS NOT A C>LE 9 ! L& BUT SPEAKE? WELL ( H]-- IT MAY BE OV] WELL40  0,IS %E FAIR TO LOOK ON80 SAID ,RALPH4 0,( WOM5-FOLK !RE IS NONE FAIR]10 SAID ! C>L9E2 0AS TO M51 ?AT IS ANO!R ?+40  

,RALPH WAS SIL5T A:ILE1 !N HE SAID3  0,:AT IS ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D80  

0,!Y TALK ( IT H]E10 SAID %E1 0MANY ?+S TOO LONG TO TELL ( N[3  BUT !RE IS A BOOK 9 ?IS H\SE ?AT TELLE? ( IT2 ,I KN[ IT WELL BY ! LOOK ( IT ?\< ,I MAY NOT READ 9 IT4 ,I WILL SEEK IT = !E TO-MORR[ IF ?\ WILT40  

0,HAVE ?\ ?ANKS1 DAME10 SAID HE2 0& ,I PRAY !E =GET IT NOT2 BUT N[ ,I WILL GO =?40  

0,YEA10 SAID ! C>L9E1 0BUT ABIDE A LITTLE40  

,!RE) %E W5T 9TO ! BUTT]Y1 & CAME BACK BE>+ ) H] A G>L& ( ROSES ( ! G>D51 9T]M+L$ ) GRE5 LEAVES1 & %E SAID3  0,! SUN IS YET HOT & OV] HOT1 DO ?IS ON ?9E HEAD TO %ADE !E FROM ! BURN+4 ,I KNEW ?AT ?\ W\LD/ GO ABROAD TO-DAY1 SO ,I MADE ?IS = !E 9 ! MORN+2 & :5 ,I WAS Y\NG ,I WAS CALL$ ! G>L&-MAK]4 ,IT IS BETT] SUMM] WE> ?AN ?Y BASNET40  

,HE ?ANK$ H] & DID IT ON SMIL+1 BUT SOME:AT RUEFULLY2 = HE SAID TO HIMSELF3  0,?IS IS OV] OLD A DAME ?AT ,I %\LD WE> A LOVE-TOK5 FROM H]40  ,BUT :5 IT WAS ON HIS HEAD1 ! OLD DAME CLAPP$ H] H&S & CRI$3  0,O !RE1 !RE6  ,N[ >T ?\ LIKE ! IMAGE ( ,/4 ,MI*AEL 9 ! ,*OIR ( ,\R ,LADY ( ! ,?ORN3 !RE IS NONE SO LOVELY AS ?\4  ,I W\LD MY ,LADY C\LD SEE !E ?US2 SURELY ! SI<T ( !E %\LD GLADD5 H] HE>T4 ,& )AL ?\ >T NOT ILL CLAD O!RWISE40  

,9DE$ HIS RAIM5T WAS GOODLY1 = HIS SURCOAT WAS NEW1 & IT WAS ( F9E GRE5 CLO?1 & ! COAT->MOR ( ,UPMEAD WAS BEAT5 ON IT1 TO WIT1 ON A GOLD GR\ND AN APPLE-TREE FRUIT$1 /&+ BY A RIV]-SIDE4  

,N[ HE LAU<$ SOME:AT UNEASILY AT H] WORDS1 & SO W5T =? FROM ! CA/LE AGA91 & MADE /RAI<T = ! HAY-MAK+ FOLK ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! WAT]2 = ALL ?IS SIDE WAS BE+ F$ BY BEA/S & %EEP2 BUT AT ! PO9T :]E HE CROSS$1 ! W9D+ ( ! /REAM BR\<T IT NE> TO ! CA/LE GATE4 ,SO HE CAME UP ) ! C\NTRY FOLK & GREET$ !M1 & !Y DID AS MU* BY HIM 9 C\RTE\S WORDS3 !Y W]E GOODLY & WELL-%AP51 BO? M5 & WOM51 GAY & JOY\S ( DEMEANOR & WELL CLAD AS = FOLK :O WORK AFIELD4 ,SO ,RALPH W5T FROM ONE TO ANO!R & GAVE !M A WORD OR TWO1 & WAS WELL PLEAS$ TO WAT* !M AT !IR WORK A:ILE2 BUT YET HE W\LD FA9 SPEAK SOME:AT MORE ) ONE OR O!R ( !M4 ,AT LA/ UND] ! %ADE ( A TALL ELM-TREE HE SAW AN OLD MAN SITT+ HE$+ ! \T] RAIM5T ( ! HAYMAK]S & !IR VICTUAL & BOTTLES ( DR9K2 & HE CAME UP TO HIM & GAVE HIM ! SELE ( ! DAY2 & ! OLD MAN BLESS$ HIM & SAID3 0,>T ?\ DWELL+ 9 MY LADY'S CA/LE1 FAIR LORD80 0,A :ILE AT LEA/10 SAID ,RALPH4  ,SAID ! OLD MAN3 0,WE ?ANK !E = COM+ TO SEE US2 & MESEEME? FROM ! LOOK ( !E ?\ >T WOR?Y TO DWELL 9 MY ,LADY'S ,H\SE40  

0,:AT SAYE/ ?\80 SAID ,RALPH4  0,IS %E A GOOD LADY & A GRACI\S80 0,O YEA1 YEA10 SAID ! C>LE4  ,SAID ,RALPH3  0,?\ MEANE/1 ,I SUPPOSE1 ?AT %E IS FAIR TO LOOK ON1 & S(T-SPOK5 :5 %E IS PLEAS$80  

0,I MEAN F> MORE ?AN ?AT10 SAID ! C>LE2 0SURELY IS %E MO/ HEAV5LY FAIR1 & H] VOICE IS LIKE ! MUSIC ( HEAV53 BUT )AL H] DE$S1 & ! K9DNESS ( H] TO US POOR M5 & HUSB&M51 >E NO WORSE ?AN %\LD FL[ =? FROM ?AT LOVEL9ESS40  

0,WILL Y\ BE H] S]VANTS80 SAID ,RALPH1 0OR :AT >E YE80  ,SAID ! C>LE3 0,WE BE YEOM5 & H] VAVASSORS2 !RE IS NO ?RALLDOM 9 \R L&40 0,DO YE LIVE 9 GOOD PEACE = ! MORE P>T80 SAID ,RALPH4 ,SAID ! C>LE3  0,TIME HAS BE5 :5 CRUEL BATTLES W]E F\<T 9 !SE WOOD-LAWNS1 & MANY POOR PEOPLE W]E DE/ROY$ !RE93 BUT ?AT WAS BE=E ! COM+ ( ! ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE40  

0,& :5 WAS ?AT80 SAID ,RALPH4  0,I WOT NOT10 SAID ! OLD C>LE2 0,I WAS BORN 9 PEACE & SUCKL$ 9 PEACE2 & 9 PEACE ,I FELL TO ! LOV+ ( MAID5S1 & ,I W$D$ 9 PEACE1 & BEGAT *ILDR5 9 PEACE1 & 9 PEACE !Y DWELL AB\T ME1 & 9 PEACE %ALL ,I DEP>T40  

0,:AT !N10 SAID ,RALPH 7& A GRIEV\S FE> WAS BORN 9 HIS HE>T71 0IS NOT ! ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE Y\NG80  ,SAID ! C>LE3 0,I HAVE SE5 H] :5 ,I WAS Y\NG & ALSO S9CE ,I HAVE BE5 OLD1 & EV] WAS %E FAIR & LOVELY1 & SL5D] H&$1 AS /RAI<T AS A SPE>1 & AS SWEET AS :ITE CLOV]1 & G5TLE-VOIC$ & K9D1 & DE> TO \R S\LS40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0& %E DO? NOT DWELL 9 ?IS CA/LE ALWAYS2 :]E ELSE !N DO? %E DWELL80  0,I WOT NOT10 SAID ! C>LE1 0BUT IT %\LD BE 9 HEAV53  = :5 %E COME? TO US ALL \R JOYS 9CREASE 9 US BY ! HALF40  

0,LOOK Y\1 FA!R10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,MAY IT NOT HAVE BE5 MORE ?AN ONE ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE ?AT ?\ HA/ SE5 9 ?Y LIFE-DAYS2 & ?AT ?IS ONE ?AT N[ IS1 IS ! DAU<T]'S DAU<T] ( ! ONE :OM ?\ FIR/ SAWE/-- H[ SAYE/ ?\80  ,! C>LE LAU<$3  0,NAY1 NAY10 SAID HE1 0,IT IS NOT SO3 NEV] HAS !RE BE5 ANO!R LIKE TO H] 9 ALL WAYS1 9 BODY & VOICE1 & HE>T & S\L4  ,IT IS AS ,I SAY1 %E IS ! SAME AS %E WAS ALWAYS40 0,& :510 SAID ,RALPH1 ) A BEAT+ HE>T1 0DOES %E COME HI!R8 ,IS IT AT SOME SET SEASON80  0,NAY1 FROM TIME TO TIME1 AT ALL SEASONS10 SAID ! C>LE2 0& AS FAIR %E IS :5 %E GOE? OV] ! SN[1 AS :5 H] FEET >E SET AMID ! ,JUNE DAISIES40  

,N[ WAS ,RALPH SO FULL ( WOND] ?AT HE SC>CE KNEW :AT TO SAY2 BUT HE BE?\<T HIM ( ?AT FAIR WA/E ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! =E/1 ! C\NTRY ?R\< :I* ?AT WIDE RIV] FL[$1 SO HE SAID3 0,& ?AT L& NOR?-AWAY BEYOND ! WILDWOOD1 CAN/ ?\ TELL ME ! TALE ( ITS W>S1 & IF IT W]E WA/$ 9 ! SAME W>S ?AT TORM5T$ ?IS L&80  ,! C>LE %OOK HIS HEAD3 0,AS TO ! L& BEYOND ?IS WOOD10 QUO? HE1 0,I KN[ NAU<T ( IT1 = BEYOND ! WOOD GO WE NEV]3  NAY1 MO/ (T5 WE GO BUT A LITTLE WAY 9TO IT1 NO FUR!R ?AN WE CAN SEE ! GLIMM] ( ! OP5 DAYLI<T ?R\< ITS TREES1--! DAYLI<T ( ! L& ( ,ABUNDANCE-- ?AT IS 5\< = US40  

0,WELL10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,I ?ANK !E = ! TALE ?\ HA/ TOLD ME1 & WI% !E MORE YE>S ( PEACE40  

0,& TO !E1 Y\NG MAN10 SAID ! C>LE1 0,I WI% A GOOD WI% 9DE$1 TO WIT ?AT ?\ MAYE/ SEE ! ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE H]E BE=E ?\ DEP>TE/40  

,HIS WORDS ONCE MORE MADE ,RALPH'S HE>T BEAT & HIS *EEK FLU%1 & HE W5T BACK TO ! CA/LE SOME:AT SPE$ILY2 = HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 AFT] ! FOLLY ( LOV]S1 0,MAYBE %E WILL BE COME EV5 N[1 & ,I NOT !RE TO MEET H]40  ,YET :5 HE CAME TO ! CA/LE-GATE HIS HE>T MISGAVE HIM1 & HE W\LD NOT 5T] AT ONCE1 BUT TURN$ AB\T TO GO R\ND ! WALL BY ! NOR? & WE/4 ,9 ! CA/LE HE SAW NO S\L SAVE ! OLD DAME LOOK+ \T ( ! W9D[ & NODD+ TO HIM1 BUT 9 ! PA/URE ALL AB\T W]E NEA!RDS & %EPH]DS1 BO? M5 & WOM52 & AT ! NOR?-WE/ CORN]1 :]EAS ! RIV] DREW QUITE CLOSE TO ! WALL1 HE CAME UPON TWO DAMSELS ( ! FIELD-FOLK FI%+ ) AN ANGLE 9 A QUIET POOL ( ! /REAM4  ,HE GREET$ !M1 & !Y1 :O W]E Y\NG & GOODLY1 RETURN$ HIS GREET+1 BUT W]E %AMEFAC$ AT HIS GALLANT PRES5CE1 AS 9DE$ WAS HE AT ! ?\<TS ( HIS HE>T M+L$ ) ! SI<T ( !IR FAIRNESS4 ,SO HE PASS$ ON AT FIR/ )\T MORE WORDS ?AN HIS GREET+4 ,YET PRES5TLY HE TURN$ BACK AGA91 = HE LONG$ TO HE> SOME WORD MORE CONC]N+ ! ,LADY :OSE COM+ HE ABODE4 ,!Y /OOD SMIL+ & BLU%+ AS HE CAME UP TO !M AGA91 & HE$$ !IR ANGLES LITTLE4  

,SAID ,RALPH3  0,FAIR MAID5S1 DO YE KN[ AT ALL :5 ! ,LADY ( ! CA/LE MAY BE LOOK$ =80  ,!Y W]E SL[ TO ANSW]1 BUT AT LA/ ONE SAID3 0,NO1 FAIR SIR1 SU* AS WE KN[ NO?+ ( ! COM+S & GO+S ( GREAT FOLK40  

,SAID ,RALPH1 SMIL+ ON H] = K9DNESS1 & PLEASURE ( H] FAIRNESS3 0,IS IT NOT SO ?AT YE WILL BE GLAD ( H] COM+80  

,BUT %E ANSW]$ NEV] A WORD1 ONLY LOOK$ AT HIM /EADILY1 ) H] GREAT GRAY EYES FIX$ 9 WOND]M5T1 :ILE ! O!R ONE LOOK$ D[N AS IF 9T5T ON H] ANGL+ TOOLS4  

,RALPH KNEW NOT H[ TO ASK ANO!R QUE/ION1 SO HE TURN$ AB\T ) A GREET+ WORD AGA91 & ?IS TIME W5T ON /EADILY R\ND AB\T ! WALL4  

,& N[ 9 HIS HE>T WAX$ ! DESIRE ( ?AT ,LADY1 ONCE SE51 AS HE DEEM$1 9 SU* /RANGE WISE2 BUT HE WOND]$ )9 HIMSELF IF ! DEVIL HAD NOT S[N ?AT LONG+ )9 HIM3 :]EAS IT MI<T BE ?AT ?IS WOMAN ON :OM HE HAD SET HIS HE>T WAS H]SELF NO REAL WOMAN BUT A DEVIL1 & ONE ( ! GODDESSES ( ! ANCI5T WORLD1 & HIS HE>T WAS SORE & TR\BL$ BY MANY D\BTS & HOPES & FE>S2 BUT HE SAID TO HIMSELF ?AT :5 HE SAW H] !N C\LD HE JUDGE BETWE5 ! GOOD & ! EVIL1 & C\LD DO OR =BE>1 & ?AT ! SI<T ( H] W\LD CURE ALL4  

,?US ?9K+ HE WALK$ SWIFTLY1 & WAS SOON R\ND AT ! CA/LE GATE AGA91 & 5T]$1 & W5T 9TO ! HALL1 :]E WAS ! OLD DAME1 BUSI$ AB\T SOME H\SEHOLD MATT]4 ,RALPH NODD$ TO H] & HA/5$ AWAY1 LE/ %E %\LD FALL TO TALK ) HIM2 & HE SET HIMSELF N[ TO GO FROM *AMB] TO *AMB]1 ?AT HE MI<T LE>N ! CA/LE1 :AT IT WAS4 ,HE CAME 9TO ! GU>D-*AMB] & F\ND ! WALLS !RE( ALL HUNG ) >MOR & WEAPONS1 CLEAN & 9 GOOD ORD]1 ?\< !RE WAS NEV] A MAN-AT->MS !RE1 NOR ANY S\L EXCEPT ! OLD WOMAN4 ,HE W5T UP A /AIR !REFROM ON TO ! BATTLEM5TS1 & W5T 9TO ! T[]S ( ! WALL1 & F\ND WEAPONS BO? = H&1 & = CA/ & %OT 9 EA* ONE ( !M1 & ALL READY AS IF = PRES5T BATTLE2 !N HE CAME D[N 9TO ! C\RT AGA9 & W5T 9TO A V]Y GOODLY AMBULATORY OV] AGA9/ ! HALL1 & HE 5T]$ A DOOR !REFROM1 :I* WAS BUT ON ! LAT*1 & W5T UP A LITTLE /AIR 9TO A *AMB]1 :I* WAS ! GOODLIE/ & ! RI*E/ ( ALL4 ,ITS RO( WAS ALL DONE ) GOLD & BLUE FROM OV] SEA1 & ITS PAVEM5T WR\<T DELICATELY 9 ,ALEX&R9E WORK4 ,ON ! DAIS WAS A ?RONE ( C>V5 IVORY1 & ABOVE IT A CANOPY ( BAUDEK9 ( ! GOODLIE/ FA%ION1 & !RE WAS A FOOT-C>PET BE=E IT1 WR\<T ) BEA/S & ! HUNT+ ( ! DE]4 ,AS = ! WALLS ( ?AT *AMB]1 !Y W]E HUNG ) A M>VEL\S HALL+ ( >RAS1 :]E9 WAS WR\<T ! GRE5WOOD1 & !RE AMID 9 ONE PLACE A POT-H]B G>D51 & A GRE5 G>? ) GOATS !RE91 & 9 ?AT G>? A LITTLE ?AT*$ H\SE4 ,& AMID ALL ?IS GRE5]Y W]E FIGUR$ OV] & OV] AGA9 TWO WOM51 :]E( ONE OLD & ! O!R Y\NG2 & ! OLD ONE WAS CLAD 9 GR& ATTIRE1 ) GOLD *A9S & BROO*ES & R+S1 & SAT ) H] H&S BE=E H] BY ! H\SE DOOR1 OR /OOD LOOK+ ON AS ! Y\NG ONE WORK$1 SP9N+ OR DIGG+ 9 ! G>?1 OR MILK+ ! GOATS \TSIDE ( IT1 OR :AT NOT2 & ?IS ONE WAS CLAD 9 SORRY & SCANTY RAIM5T4  

,:AT ALL ?IS MI<T MEAN ,RALPH KNEW NOT2 BUT :5 HE HAD LOOK$ LONG AT ! GRE5]Y & ITS IMAGES1 HE SAID TO HIMSELF ?AT IF HE :O WR\<T ?AT CLO? HAD NOT DONE ! Y\NG WOMAN AFT] ! LIK5ESS ( ! ,LADY :OM HE HAD HELP$ 9 ! WILDWOOD1 !N IT MU/ HAVE BE5 DONE FROM H] TW9 SI/]4  

,LONG HE ABODE 9 ?AT *AMB] LOOK+ AT ! >RAS1 & WOND]+ :E!R ! SITT] 9 ! IVORY ?RONE W\LD BE ANY O!R ?AN ! ?RALL 9 ! GRE5WOOD COT4 ,HE ABODE !RE SO LONG ?AT ! DUSK BEGAN TO GA!R 9 ! H\SE1 & HE C\LD SEE ! IMAGES NO MORE2 = HE WAS FILL$ ) ! SWEETNESS ( DESIRE :5 HE LOOK$ ON !M4  

,!N HE W5T BACK SL[LY TO ! HALL1 & F\ND ! C>L9E1 :O HAD LI<T$ ! WAXLI<TS & MADE MEAT READY = HIM2 & :5 %E SAW HIM %E CRI$ \T JOY\SLY3  0,AH1 ,I KNEW ?AT ?\ W\LD/ COME BACK4 ,>T ?\ WELL CONT5T ) \R LITTLE L&80  

0,I LIKE IT WELL1 DAME10 SAID HE2 0BUT TELL ME1 IF ?\ CAN/1 :AT IS ! MEAN+ ( ! HALL+ 9 ! *AMB] ) ! IVORY ?RONE80  

,SAID ! C>L9E3  0,!RE( %ALL ANO!R TELL !E1 :O CAN TELL ( IT BETT] ?AN ,I2 BUT IT IS NAU<T TO HIDE ?AT YOND] *AMB] IS ! *AMB] ( E/ATE ( \R ,LADY1 & %E SITTE? !RE TO HE> ! CASES ( FOLK & TO GIVE DOOMS40  

,! OLD WOMAN CROSS$ H]SELF AS %E SPOKE1 & ,RALPH WOND]$ !REAT1 BUT ASK$ NO MORE QUE/IONS1 = HE WAS SC>CE SORRY ?AT ! C>L9E W\LD NOT TELL HIM !RE(1 LE/ %E %\LD SPOIL ! TALE4  

,SO PASS$ ! EV5+1 & HE W5T TO B$ & SLEPT AS A Y\NG MAN %\LD1 & ! NEXT DAY HE WAS UP BETIMES & W5T ABROAD & M+L$ ) ! C>LES & QUE5S AFIELD2 BUT ?IS TIME HE SPAKE NOT ( ! ,LADY1 & HE>D NAU<T TO HE$ FROM ANY ( ?AT FOLK4 ,SO HE W5T BACK TO ! CA/LE & GAT HIM A B[ & >R[S1 & 5T]$ ! ?ICKET ( ! WOOD NI< :]E HE & ,ROG] FIR/ CAME \T ( IT4 ,HE HAD PRAY$ A Y\NG MAN ( ! FOLK TO GO ) HIM1 BUT HE WAS NOT OV] WILL+ TO GO1 ?\< HE W\LD NOT SAY :]E=E4  ,SO ,RALPH W5T HIMSELF BY HIMSELF & W&]$ SOME WAY 9TO ! WOOD1 & SAW NAU<T WORSE ?AN HIMSELF4  ,AS HE CAME BACK1 MAK+ A CIRCUIT T[>D ! OP5 MEAD[S1 HE HAPP5$ ON A H]D ( DE] 9 A LONELY PLACE1 HALF WOOD HALF MEAD[1 & !RE HE SLEW A H>T ) ONE %AFT1 = HE WAS A DEFT B[MAN4 ,!N HE W5T & FET*$ A LEA% ( C>LES1 :O W5T ) HIM SOME:AT LESS ?AN HALF WILL+LY1 & BETWE5 !M !Y BROKE UP ! H>T & C>RI$ HIM HOME TO ! CA/LE1 :]E ! C>L9E MET !M4 ,%E SMIL$ ON ,RALPH & PRAIS$ ! V5ISON1 & SAID )AL ?AT ! HUNT+ WAS WELL DONE2 0,=1 AS FOND & AS FAIR AS ?\ MAY/ BE1 IT IS NOT GOOD ?AT Y\NG M5 %\LD HAVE !IR M9DS SET ON ONE ?+ ONLY40 ,!RE) %E L$ HIM 9 TO HIS MEAT1 & SET HIM D[N & S]V$ HIM2 & ALL ! :ILE ( HIS D9N] HE WAS LONG+ TO ASK H] IF %E DEEM$ ?AT ! ,LADY W\LD COME ?AT DAY1 S9CE IT WAS ! LA/ DAY ( ?OSE :I* ,ROG] HAD BIDD5 HIM WAIT2 BUT ! WORDS W\LD NOT \T ( HIS M\?4  

,%E LOOK$ AT HIM & SMIL$1 AS ?\< %E HAD A GUESS ( HIS ?\<T1 & AT LA/ %E SAID TO HIM3  0,?Y TONGUE IS TI$ TO-DAY4 ,HA/ ?\1 AFT] ALL1 SE5 SOME?+ /RANGE 9 ! WOOD80  ,HE %OOK HIS HEAD = NAYSAY4 ,SAID %E3  0,:Y1 !N1 DO/ ?\ NOT ASK MORE CONC]N+ ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D80  

,HE LAU<$1 & SAID3  0,MAYBE BECAUSE ,I ?9K ?AT ?\ CAN/ NOT TELL ME !RE(40  0,WELL10 %E SAID1 0IF ,I CANNOT1 YET ! BOOK MAY1 & ?IS EV5+1 :5 ! SUN IS D[N1 ?\ %ALT HAVE IT40  

0,I ?ANK !E1 MO!R10 SAID HE2 0BUT ?IS IS N[ ! LA/ DAY ?AT ,ROG] BADE ME WAIT4  ,DO/ ?\ ?9K ?AT HE WILL COME BACK TO-NI<T80 & HE R$D5$ !RE)4  0,NAY10 %E SAID1 0,I KN[ NOT1 & ?\ C>E/ NOT :E!R HE WILL COME OR NOT4 ,YET ,I KN[ ?AT ?\ WILT ABIDE H]E TILL SOME ONE ELSE COME1 :E!R ?AT BE E>LY OR LATE40  ,AGA9 HE R$D5$1 & SAID1 9 A COAX+ WAY3  0,& WILT ?\ GIVE ME GUE/+1 MO!R1 = A FEW MORE SUMM] DAYS80  

0,YEA10 %E SAID1 0& TILL SUMM] IS OV]1 IF NE$ BE1 & ! CORN IS CUT & C>RI$1 & TILL ! W9T] IS COME & ! LATT] 5D ( W9T] IS GONE40  ,HE SMIL$ FA9TLY1 ?\< HIS HE>T FELL1 & HE SAID3 0,NAY1 MO!R1 & CAN IT BY ANY *ANCE BE SO LONG A-COM+80  

0,O1 FAIR BOY10 %E SAID1 0?\ WILT MAKE IT LONG1 H[SOEV] %ORT IT BE4  ,& N[ ,I WILL GIVE !E A R$E1 LE/ ?\ VEX ?YSELF SICK & FRET ?Y V]Y HE>T4 ,TO-MORR[ GO SEE IF ?\ CAN/ MEET ?Y FATE 9/EAD ( ABID+ IT4 ,DO ON ?Y W>-GE> & TAKE ?Y SWORD & TRY ! ADV5TURE ( ! WILDWOOD2 BUT GO NOT OV] DEEP 9TO IT40  ,SAID HE3 0,BUT H[ IF ! ,LADY COME :ILE ,I AM AWAY FROM ?IS H\SE80  

0,SOO? TO SAY10 SAID ! C>L9E1 0,I DEEM NOT ?AT %E WILL1 = ! WAY IS LONG BETWIXT US & H]40  

0,DO/ ?\ MEAN10 SAID ,RALPH1 /&+ UP FROM ! BO>D1 0?AT %E WILL NOT COME EV]8  ,I ADJURE !E NOT TO BEGUILE ME ) S(T WORDS1 BUT TELL ME ! V]Y SOO?40 0,!RE1 !RE60 SAID %E1 0SIT D[N1 K+'S SON2 EAT ?Y MEAT & DR9K ?Y W9E2 = TO-MORR[ IS A NEW DAY4 ,%E WILL COME SOON OR LATE1 IF %E BE YET 9 ! WORLD4 ,& N[ ,I WILL SAY NO MORE TO !E CONC]N+ ?IS MATT]40  

,!RE) %E W5T H] WAYS FROM ! HALL1 & :5 %E CAME BACK ) H&-BAS9 & T[EL1 %E SAID NO WORD TO HIM1 BUT ONLY SMIL$ K9DLY4 ,HE W5T \T PRES5TLY 9TO ! MEAD[ 7= IT WAS YET BUT E>LY AFT]NOON7 & CAME AMONG ! HAYMAK+ FOLK & SPAKE ) !M1 HOP+ ?AT P]*ANCE SOME ( !M MI<T SPEAK AGA9 ( ! ,LADY ( ,ABUNDANCE2 BUT NONE ( !M DID SO1 ?\< ! OLD C>LE HE HAD SPOK5 ) WAS !RE1 & !RE ALSO W]E ! TWO MAID5S :OM HE HAD SE5 FI%+2 & AS = HIM1 HE WAS OV] FA9!>T$ TO ASK !M ANY MORE QUE/IONS CONC]N+ H]4  

,YET HE ABODE ) !M LONG1 & ATE & DRANK AMID ! HAY ) !M TILL ! MOON %ONE BRI<TLY4  ,!N HE W5T BACK TO ! CA/LE & F\ND ! C>L9E 9 ! HALL1 & %E HAD ! BOOK ) H] & GAVE IT TO HIM1 & HE SAT D[N 9 ! %OT-W9D[ UND] ! WAXLI<TS & FELL TO READ+ ( IT4  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#g1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #ah -- ,ADD$4 

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