,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #ce 
,RALPH ,COME? ,TO ! ,VALE ( ! ,T[] 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,BUT :5 IT WAS MORN+ ,RALPH AWOKE1 & SAW ?AT ! SUN WAS %9+ BRI<TLY2 SO HE CA/ HIS %IRT ON HIM1 & W5T \T AT ONCE1 & TURN$ HIS FACE EA/W>D1 &1 SC>CE AWAKE1 SAID TO HIMSELF ?AT ! CL\DS LAY HEAVY 9 ! EA/W>D HEAV5S AFT] LA/ NI<T'S HAZE3 BUT PRES5TLY HIS EYES DE>$1 & HE SAW ?AT :AT HE HAD TAK5 = CL\DS WAS A HUGE WALL ( M\NTA9S1 BLACK & T]RIBLE1 ?AT ROSE UP %>P & CLE> 9TO ! MORN+ AIR2 = !RE WAS NEI!R CL\D NOR MI/ 9 ALL ! HEAV5S4  

,N[ ,RALPH1 ?\< HE W]E BUT LITTLE US$ TO ! SI<T ( GREAT M\NTA9S1 YET FELT HIS HE>T RA!R RISE ?AN FALL AT ! SI<T ( !M2 = HE SAID3 0,SURELY BEYOND !M LIE? SOME NEW ?+ = ME1 LIFE OR DEA?3 FAIR FAME OR ! =GETT+ ( ALL M540  ,& IT WAS LONG ?AT HE C\LD NOT TAKE HIS EYES (F !M4  

,AS HE LOOK$1 CAME UP ! ,CAPTA9 ,OTT]1 & SAID3  0,WELL1 ,KNI<T1 ?\ HA/ SE5 !M ?IS MORN1 EV5 IF YE DIE ]E NI<TFALL40 ,SAID ,RALPH3  0,:AT DEEME/ ?\ TO LIE BEYOND !M80  

0,( US NONE KN[E? SURELY10 SAID ,OTT]2 0:ILES ,I DEEM ?AT IF ONE W]E TO GET TO ! O!R SIDE !RE W\LD BE A GREAT PLA9 LIKE TO ?IS3  :ILES ?AT !RE IS NAU<T SAVE M\NTA9S BEYOND1 & YET AGA9 M\NTA9S1 LIKE ! WAVES ( A HUGE /ONE SEA4 ,OR :ILES ,I ?9K ?AT ONE W\LD COME TO AN 5D ( ! WORLD1 TO A PLACE :]E IS NAU<T BUT A L$GE1 & !N BEL[ IT A GULF FILL$ ) NO?+ BUT ! H[L+ ( W9DS1 & ! DEP? ( D>KNESS4 ,MOREOV] ?IS IS MY ?\<T1 ?AT ALL WE ( !SE P>TS %\LD BE MILD] M5 & ( BETT] CONDITIONS1 IF YOND] T]RIBLE WALL W]E AWAY4 ,IT IS AS IF WE W]E ?RALLS ( ! GREAT M\NTA9S40  

,SAID ,RALPH1 0,IS ?IS !N ! ,WALL ( ! ,WORLD80 0,IT MAY WELL BE SO10 SAID ,OTT]2 0BUT ?IS WORD IS AT :ILES SAID ( SOME?+ ELSE1 :I* NO MAN ALIVE AMONG US HAS YET SE54 ,IT IS A P>T ( ! TALE ( ! SEEK]S = ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D1 :]E( WE SAID A WORD ?AT O!R DAY40  

0,& ! ,DRY ,TREE10 SAID ,RALPH1 0KN[E/ ?\ !RE(80 SAID ,RALPH4 0,SU* A TREE1 MU* BEWOR%IPP$10 SAID ,OTT]1 0WE HAVE1 NOT V]Y F> FROM ,UTT]BOL1 ON ! HI!R SIDE ( ! M\NTA9S4 ,YET ,I HAVE HE>D OLD M5 SAY ?AT IT IS BUT A TOY1 & AN IMAGE ( ?AT :I* IS V]ILY ANI< ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D4 ,BUT N[ HA/E !E TO DO ON ?Y RAIM5T1 = WE MU/ NE$S GET TO HORSE 9 A LITTLE :ILE40  0,YET ONE MORE WORD10 SAID ,RALPH2 0?\ SAYE/ ?AT NONE ALIVE AMONG Y\ HAVE SE5 ! ,WALL ( ! ,WORLD80  0,NONE ALIVE10 QUO? ,OTT]2 0=SOO? :AT ! DEAD MAY SEE1 ?AT IS ANO!R QUE/ION40 ,SAID ,RALPH3  0,BUT HAVE YE NOT KN[N ( ANY :O HAVE S\<T TO ! ,WELL FROM ?IS L&1 :I* IS SO NI< !REUNTO80 0,SU* !RE HAVE BE510 SAID ,OTT]2 0BUT IF !Y F\ND IT1 !Y F\ND SOME?+ BEYOND IT1 OR CAME WE/ AGA9 BY SOME WAY ELSE ?AN BY ,UTT]BOL2 = !Y NEV] CAME BACK AGA9 TO US40  

,!RE) HE TURN$ ON HIS HEEL1 & W5T HIS WAYS1 & UP CAME ,DAVID & ONE ) HIM BR++ VICTUAL2 & ,DAVID SAID3  0,N[1 ?\ LUCKY ONE1 H]E IS COME ?Y BREAKFA/6 = WE %ALL PRES5TLY BE ON \R WAY4 ,CA/ ON ?Y RAIM5T1 & EAT & /R5G!N ?YSELF = ! DAY'S WORK4 ,HA/ ?\ LOOK$ WELL ON ! M\NTA9S80  0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0& ! SI<T ( !M HAS MADE ME AS LITTLE D[NHE>T$ AS ?\ >T4 ,= ?\ >T JOY\S ( MOOD ?IS MORN+40  ,DAVID NODD$ & SMIL$1 & LOOK$ SO M]RY ?AT ,RALPH WOND]$ :AT WAS T[>D4 ,!N HE W5T 9TO HIS T5T & CLAD HIMSELF1 & ATE HIS BREAKFA/1 & !N GAT TO HORSE & RODE BETWIXT TWO ( ! M5-AT->MS1 HE & ,OTT]2 = ,DAVID WAS RIDD5 =W>D TO SPEAK ) ! ,LORD4 ,OTT] TALK$ EV] GAILY 5\<2 BUT ,RALPH HE$$ HIM LITTLE A :ILE1 BUT HAD HIS EYES EV] ON ! M\NTA9S1 & C\LD SEE ?AT = ALL !Y W]E SO D>K1 & FILL$ UP SO MU* ( ! EA/W>D HEAV51 !Y W]E SO F> AWAY ?AT HE C\LD SEE BUT LITTLE ( !M SAVE ?AT !Y W]E D>K BLUE & HUGE1 & ONE RIS+ UP BEH9D ! O!R4  

,?US !Y RODE ! D[N C\NTRY1 TILL AT LA/1 TWO H\RS BE=E NOON1 COM+ OV] ! BR[ ( A LONG D[N1 !Y HAD BE=E !M A %ALL[ DALE1 PLEASANT] ?AN AU<T !Y HAD YET SE54 ,IT WAS WELL-GRASS$1 & A LITTLE RIV] RAN ?R\< IT1 FROM :I* W5T N>R[ LEATS HELD UP BY HAT*ES1 SO ?AT ! MORE P>T ( ! VALLEY BOTTOM WAS A WAT]-MEAD[1 :]E9 AS N[ W]E GRAZ+ MANY K9E & %EEP4  ,!RE W]E WILL[S AB\T ! BANKS ( ! RIV]1 & 9 AN +LE ( IT /OOD A GRANGE OR HOME/EAD1 ) MANY RO(S HALF HIDD5 BY CLUMPS ( TALL OLD ELM TREES4 ,O!R H\SES !RE W]E 9 ! VALE2 TWO OR ?REE COTS1 TO WIT1 ON ! SLOPE ( ! HI!R D[N1 & SOME HALF-DOZ5 AB\T ! HOME/EAD2 & ABOVE & BEYOND ALL !SE1 ON A M\ND SOME:AT AWAY FROM ! RIV] & ! GRANGE1 A GREAT SQU>E T[]1 ) B>RI]S & BAILEY ALL DI<T READY = W>1 & ) A BANN] ( ! ,LORD'S HANG+ \T4 ,BUT BETWE5 ! T[] & ! RIV] /OOD AS N[ A GREAT PAVILION ( SN[-:ITE CLO? /RIP$ ) GOLD & PURPLE2 & R\ND AB\T IT W]E O!R T5TS1 AS ?\< A LITTLE >MY W]E COME 9TO ! VALE4  

,SO :5 !Y LOOK$ 9TO ?AT FAIR PLACE1 ,OTT] ! ,CAPTA9 ROSE 9 ! /IRRUPS & CA/ UP HIS H& = JOY1 & CRI$ \T AL\D3  0,N[1 Y\NG KNI<T1 N[ WE >E COME HOME3 H[ LIKE/ ?\ MY ,LORD'S L&80  

0,IT IS A FAIR L&10 SAID ,RALPH2 0BUT IS !RE NOT COME SOME ONE TO BID ?Y ,LORD BATTLE = IT8 OR :AT MEAN ! T5TS D[N YOND]80  

,SAID ,OTT]1 LAU<+3  0,NAY1 NAY1 IT HA? NOT COME TO ?AT YET4 ,YOND] IS MY ,LORD'S LADY-WIFE1 :O HA? COME TO MEET HIM1 BUT 9 LOVE1 SO TO SAY1 NOT 9 BATTLE--NOT YET4  ,?\< ,I SAY NOT ?AT ! CUP ( LOVE BETWIXT !M BE BRIM-FULL4 ,BUT ?IS IT BEHOVE? ME NOT TO SPEAK (1 ?\< ?\ >T TO BE MY BRO!R-9->MS1 S9CE WE >E TO TILT TOGE!R PRES5TLY3 = LO6 YOND] ! TILT-Y>D1 MY LAD40  

,!RE) HE PO9T$ TO ! BROAD GRE5 MEAD[3  BUT ,RALPH SAID3 0,H[ CAN/ ?\1 A FREE MAN1 BE BRO!R-9->MS TO A ?RALL80 0,NAY1 LAD10 QUO? ,OTT]1 0LET NOT ?AT WASP /+ !E3 = EV5 SU* WAS ,I1 TIME WAS4  ,NAY1 SU* AM ,I N[1 BUT ?AT A C]TA9 HABIT ( KEEP+ MY WITS 9 A FRAY MAKE? ME ( AVAIL TO MY ,LORD1 SO ?AT ,I AM WELL LOOK$ TO4 ,=SOO? 9 MY ,LORD'S L& ! FREE M5 >E ( LITTLE ACC\NT1 S9CE !Y MU/ (T5E/ DO AS MY ,LORD & MY ,LORD'S ?RALLS BID !M4  ,TRULY1 BRO!R1 IT IS WE :O HAVE ! WITS & ! LUCK TO RISE ABOVE ! :IPP+-PO/ & ! %ACKLES ?AT >E ! GREAT M5 H]EAB\TS4  ,I SAY WE1 = ,I DEEM ?AT ?\ WILT DO NO LESS1 :]EAS ?\ HA/ ! LUCKY LOOK 9 ?9E EYES4 ,SO LET TO-DAY TRY IT40  

,AS HE SPAKE CAME MANY GLITT]+ FIGURES FROM \T ( ?OSE T5TS1 & !RE)AL >OSE ! S\ND ( HORNS & CLA%+ ( CYMBALS1 & !IR [N HORNS GAVE BACK ! S\ND ( WELCOME4 ,!N ,RALPH SAW A MAN 9 GOLD5 >MOR ( /RANGE1 \TL&I% FA%ION1 SITT+ ON A GREAT BLACK HORSE BESIDE ! ,LORD'S LITT]2 & ,OTT] SAID3  0,LO6 MY ,LORD1 >M$ & A-HORSEBACK TO MEET MY LADY3 %E LOOKE? K9D] ON HIM ?US2 ?\< 9 ?9E E> BE IT SAID1 HE IS NO GREAT MAN ( W>2 NOR NE$ HE BE1 S9CE HE HA? US = HIS %IELD & HIS HAUB]K40  

,H]E) W]E !Y COME ON TO ! CAUSEWAY ABOVE ! GRE5 MEAD[S1 & PRES5TLY DREW RE9 BE=E ! PAVILION1 & /OOD AB\T 9 A HALF-R+ FAC+ A TWO SCORE ( GAILY CLAD M5-AT->MS1 :O HAD COME ) ! ,LADY & A R\T ( FOLK ( ! H\SEHOLD4 ,!N ! ,LORD GAT (F HIS HORSE1 & /OOD 9 HIS GOLD5 >MOR1 & ALL ! HORNS & O!R MUSIC /RUCK UP1 & =? FROM ! PAVILION CAME ! ,LADY ) A HALF-SCORE ( H] WOM5 CLAD GAILY 9 SILK5 G[NS ( GRE51 & BLUE1 & YELL[1 BROID]$ ALL AB\T ) GOLD & SILV]1 BUT ) NAK$ FEET1 & HAV+ IRON R+S ON !IR >MS1 SO ?AT ,RALPH SAW ?AT !Y W]E ?RALLS4 ,SOME?+ TOLD HIM ?AT HIS DAMSEL %\LD BE AMONG !SE1 SO HE GAZ$ H>D ON !M1 BUT ?\< !Y W]E GOODLY 5\< !RE WAS NONE ( !M LIKE TO H]4  

,AS TO ! ,QUE51 %E WAS CLAD ALL 9 F9E L95 & GOLD1 ) GOLD %OES ON H] FEET3  H] >MS CAME B>E FROM \T ( ! L953 GREAT !Y W]E1 & ! H&S NOT SMALL2 BUT ! >MS R\ND & FAIR1 & ! H&S %APELY1 & ALL V]Y :ITE & ROSY3 H] HAIR WAS AS YELL[ AS ANY ?AT CAN BE SE51 & IT WAS PL5TE\S1 & %$ ALL D[N AB\T H]4  ,H] EYES W]E BLUE & SET WIDE AP>T1 H] NOSE A LITTLE SNUBB$1 H] M\? WIDE1 FULL-LIPP$ & SMIL+4 ,%E WAS V]Y TALL1 A FULL HALF-HEAD TALL] ?AN ANY ( H] WOM53 YEA1 AS TALL AS A MAN :O IS ABOVE ! MIDDLE HEI<T ( M54  

,N[ %E CAME =W>D HA/ILY ) LONG /RIDES1 & KNELT AD[N BE=E ! ,LORD1 BUT EV5 AS %E KNEEL$ LOOK$ R\ND ) A LAU<+ FACE4 ,! ,LORD /OOP$ D[N TO H] & TOOK H] BY BO? H&S1 & RAIS$ H] UP1 & KISS$ H] ON ! *EEK 7& HE LOOK$ BUT LITTLE & ( NO PRES5CE BESIDE H]37 & HE SAID3  0,HAIL TO !E1 MY ,LADY2 ?\ >T COME F> FROM ?9E HOME TO MEET ME1 & ,I ?ANK !E !RE=4 ,IS IT WELL ) \R ,H\SE80  

,%E SPAKE SEEM+ C>ELESSLY & L\D2 BUT H] VOICE WAS SOME:AT HUSKY3 0,YEA1 MY ,LORD1 ALL IS WELL2 FEW HAVE DONE AMISS1 & ! H>VE/ IS PL5TE\S40  ,AS %E SPAKE ! ,LORD LOOK$ ) KNIT BR[S AT ! DAMSELS BEH9D H]1 AS IF HE W]E SEEK+ SOME?+2 & ! ,LADY FOLL[$ HIS EYES1 SMIL+ A LITTLE & FLU%+ AS IF ) M]RIM5T4  

,BUT ! ,LORD WAS SIL5T A :ILE1 & !N LET HIS BR[ CLE> & SAID3 0,YEA1 ,LADY1 ?\ >T ?ANK$ = COM+ TO MEET US2 & TIMELY IS ?Y COM+1 S9CE !RE IS GAME & GLEE = !E AT H&2 ,I HAVE *EAP5$ A LIKELY ?RALL ( ,MORF9N ! ,UNMANN$1 & HE IS A GIFT TO !E2 & HE HA? GIV5 \T ?AT HE IS NO ILL PLAY] ) ! SPE> AFT] ! FA%ION ( !M ( ! WE/2 & WE >E GO+ TO PROVE HIS WORD H]E 9 ?IS MEAD[ PRES5TLY40  

,! ,LADY'S FACE GREW GLAD1 & %E SAID1 LOOK+ T[>D ! R+ ( NEW COM]S3  0,YEA1 ,LORD1 & :I* ( !SE IS HE1 IF HE BE H]E80  

,! ,LORD TURN$ A LITTLE TO PO9T \T ,RALPH1 BUT EV5 !RE) ! ,LADY'S EYES MET ,RALPH'S1 :O R$D5$ = %AME ( BE+ SO %[N TO A GREAT LADY2 BUT AS = H] %E FLU%$ BRI<T R$ ALL OV] H] FACE & EV5 TO H] BOSOM1 & TR\BLE CAME 9TO H] EYES1 & %E LOOK$ AD[N4  ,BUT ! ,LORD SAID3 0,YOND] IS ! Y\NGL+1 ! SWORDLESS ONE 9 ! GRE5 COAT2 A LIKELY LAD1 IF HE HA? NOT LI$ AB\T HIS PR[ESS2 & HE CAN S+ !E A SONG )AL1 & TELL A PITE\S TALE ( OLD1 & DO ALL ?AT ?OSE :O BE RE>$ 9 ! L9EAGES ( ! WE/L&S DEEM MEET & DUE = M5 ( KNI<TLY BLOOD4 ,DO/ ?\ LIKE ! LOOKS ( HIM1 LADY6 WILT ?\ HAVE HIM80  

,! ,LADY /ILL HELD H] HEAD D[N1 & TORM5T$ ! GRASS ) H] FOOT1 & MURMUR$ SOME:AT2 = %E C\LD NOT COME TO H]SELF AGA9 AS YET4 ,SO ! ,LORD LOOK$ %>PLY ON H] & SAID3  0,WELL1 :5 ?IS TILT+ IS OV]1 ?\ %ALT TELL ME ?Y M9D ( HIM2 = IF HE TURN \T A DA/>D ,I W\LD NOT ASK !E TO TAKE HIM40  

,N[ ! LADY LIFT$ UP H] FACE1 & %E WAS GR[N SOME:AT PALE2 BUT %E =C$ H] SPEE* TO COME1 & SAID3  0,IT IS WELL1 ,LORD1 BUT N[ COME ?\ 9TO MY PAVILION1 = ?Y MEAT IS READY1 & IT LACKE? BUT A M9UTE OR SO ( NOON40  ,SO HE TOOK H] H& & L$ H] 9 TO ! PAVILION1 & ALL M5 GOT (F !IR HORSES1 & FELL TO PIT*+ ! T5TS & GETT+ !IR MEAT READY2 BUT ,OTT] DREW ,RALPH AP>T 9TO A NOOK ( ! HOME/EAD1 & !RE !Y ATE !IR MEAT TOGE!R4  

,*,A,P,T,] #c#f3 ,! ,TALK ( ,TWO ,WOM5 ,CONC]N+ ,RALPH  

,BUT :5 D9N] WAS DONE1 CAME ,DAVID & A MAN ) HIM BR++ ,RALPH'S W> GE>1 & BADE HIM DO IT ON1 :ILE ! FOLK W]E F5C+ ! LI/S1 :I* !Y W]E DO+ ) SU* /UFF AS !Y HAD AT ! ,T[]2 & ! ,LORD HAD BE5 CALL+ = ,OTT] ?AT HE MI<T COMM& HIM :AT HE %\LD TELL TO ! M>%ALS ( ! LI/S & H[ ALL %\LD BE DULY ORD]$1 :]E=E HE W5T UP UNTO ! ,T[] :I!R ! ,LORD HAD N[ GONE4 ,SO ,RALPH DID ON HIS >MOR1 :I* WAS NOT RI<T MEET = TILT+1 BE+ OV] LI<T = SU* WORK2 & HIS %IELD 9 ESPECIAL WAS BUT A T>GET = A S]G5T1 :I* HE HAD BR\<T AT ,*EAP+ ,KN[E2 BUT HE DEEM$ ?AT HIS DEFTNESS & MU* USE %\LD BE> HIM WELL ?R\<4  

,N[1 ! ,LADY HAD ABID$ 9 H] PAVILION :5 H] ,LORD W5T ABROAD2 ANON AFT] %E S5T ALL H] WOM5 AWAY1 SAVE ONE :OM %E LOV$1 & TO :OM %E WAS WONT TO TELL ! 9N]MO/ ( H] M9D2 ?\< =SOO? %E MI%&L$ H] AT :ILES2 = %E WAS HOT ( TEMP]1 & OV]-READY ) H] H&S :5 %E WAS ANGRY2 ?\< %E WAS N[ISE CRUEL4 ,BUT ! WOMAN A=ESAID1 :O WAS SLY & SLEEK1 & SOME:AT PA/ H] FIR/ Y\?1 TOOK BO? H] C>ESSES & H] BUFFETS ) PATI5CE1 = ! SAKE ( ! GIFTS & L>GESSE :]E) !Y W]E B\<T4 ,SO N[ %E /OOD BY ! BO>D 9 ! PAVILION ) H] HEAD DROOP+ HUMBLY1 YET SMIL+ TO H]SELF & HE$FUL ( :ATSO MI<T BETIDE4 ,BUT ! ,LADY WALK$ UP & D[N ! PAVILION HA/ILY1 AS ONE MU* MOV$4  

,AT LA/ %E SPAKE AS %E WALK$ & SAID3  0,AGA?A1 DID/ ?\ SEE HIM :5 MY ,LORD PO9T$ HIM \T80  0,YEA10 SAID ! WOMAN LIFT+ H] FACE A LITTLE4  

0,& :AT SEEM$ HE TO !E80 SAID ! ,LADY4  0,O MY ,LADY10 QUO? ,AGA?A1 0:AT SEEM$ HE TO !E80  ,! LADY /OOD & TURN$ & LOOK$ AT H]2 %E WAS SL5D] & D>K & SLEEK2 & ?\< H] LIPS MOV$ NOT1 & H] EYES DID NOT *ANGE1 A SMILE SEEM$ TO /EAL OV] H] FACE :E!R %E W\LD OR NOT4 ,! ,LADY /AMP$ H] FOOT & LIFT$ H] H& & CRI$ \T4 0,:AT6 DO/ ?\ DEEM ?YSELF MEET = HIM80 ,& %E CAU<T H] BY ! FOLDS OV] H] BOSOM4  ,BUT ,AGA?A LOOK$ UP 9TO H] FACE ) A SIMPLE SMILE AS ( A *ILD3 0,DO/ ?\ DEEM HIM MEET = !E1 MY ,LADY--HE A ?RALL1 & ?\ SO GREAT80  ,! ,LADY TOOK H] H& FROM H]1 BUT H] FACE FLAM$ ) ANG] & %E /AMP$ ON ! GR\ND AGA93 0,:AT DO/ ?\ MEAN80 %E SAID2 0AM ,I NOT GREAT 5\< TO HAVE :AT ,I WANT :5 IT LIE? CLOSE TO MY H&80 ,AGA?A LOOK$ ON H] SWEETLY1 & SAID 9 A S(T VOICE3 0,/RET* \T ?9E H& = IT !N40  ,! ,LADY LOOK$ AT H] GRIMLY1 & SAID3  0,I UND]/& ?Y JE]2 ?\ MEANE/ ?AT HE WILL NOT BE MOV$ BY ME1 HE BE+ SO FAIR1 & ,I BE+ BUT SOME:AT FAIR4 ,WILT ?\ HAVE ME BEAT !E8  ,NAY1 ,I WILL S5D !E TO ! ,:ITE ,PILL> :5 WE COME HOME TO ,UTT]BOL40  

,! WOMAN SMIL$ AGA91 & SAID3  0,MY ,LADY1 :5 ?\ HA/ S5T ME TO ! ,:ITE ,PILL>1 OR ! ,R$1 OR ! ,BLACK1 MY /RIPES WILL NOT M5D ! MATT] = !E1 OR QU5* ! FE> ( ?9E HE>T ?AT BY ?IS TIME1 S9CE HE IS A GR[N MAN1 HE LOVE? SOME O!R4  ,YET BELIKE HE WILL OBEY !E IF ?\ COMM&1 EV5 TO ! LY+ 9 ! SAME B$ ) !E2 = HE IS A ?RALL40 ,! ,LADY HUNG H] HEAD1 BUT ,AGA?A W5T ON 9 H] SWEET CLE> VOICE3 0,! ,LORD WILL ?9K LITTLE ( IT1 & SAY NO?+ ( IT UNLESS ?\ ANG] HIM O!RWISE2 OR UNLESS1 9DE$1 HE BE M9D$ TO PICK A QU>REL ) !E1 & HA? BAIT$ A TRAP ) ?IS /RIPL+4 ,BUT ?AT IS ALL UNLIKE3  ?\ KN[E/ :Y1 & H[ ?AT HE LOVE? ! LITTLE F+] ( ?AT NEW-COME ?RALL ( HIS 7:OM YE LEFT AT HOME AT ,UTT]BOL 9 HIS DESPITE71 BETT] ?AN ALL ?Y BODY1 = ALL ?Y :ITE SK9 & LOVELY LIMBS4  ,NAY1 N[ ,I ?9K ( IT1 ,I DEEM ?AT HE MEANE? ?IS GIFT TO MAKE AN OCCASION = ! /AY+ ( ANY QU>REL ) !E1 ?AT HE MAY /OP ?Y M\? FROM CRY+ \T AT HIM--WELL1 :AT WILT ?\ DO8 HE IS A MI<TY ,LORD40  

,! ,LADY LOOK$ UP 7= %E HAD HUNG H] HEAD AT FIR/71 H] FACE ALL R$ ) %AME1 YET SMIL+1 ?\< RUEFULLY1 & %E SAID3 0,WELL1 ?\ >T DET]M9$ ?AT IF ?\ >T PUNI%$ IT %ALL NOT BE = NAU<T4  ,BUT ?\ KN[E/ NOT MY M9D40 0,YEA1 ,LADY10 SAID ,AGA?A1 SMIL+ 9 DESPITE ( H]SELF1 0?AT MAY WELL BE40  

,N[ ! ,LADY TURN$ FROM H]1 & W5T & SAT UPON A /OOL ?AT WAS !REBY1 & SAID NO?+ A :ILE2 ONLY COV]+ H] FACE ) H] H&S & ROCK+ H]SELF TO & FRO1 :ILE ,AGA?A /OOD LOOK+ AT H]4  ,AT LA/ %E SAID3 0,HE>K51 ,AGA?A1 ,I MU/ TELL !E :AT LIE? 9 M9E HE>T1 ?\< ?\ HA/ BE5 UNK9D TO ME & HA/ TRI$ TO HURT MY S\L4 ,N[1 ?\ >T SELF-WILL$1 & HOT-BLOOD$1 & NOT UNLOVELY1 SO ?AT ?\ MAY/ HAVE LOV$ & BE5 LOV$ ]E N[4 ,BUT ?\ >T SO WILY & SUBTLE ?AT MAYHAPP5 ?\ WILT NOT UND]/& :AT ,I MEAN1 :5 ,I SAY ?AT LOVE ( ?IS Y\NG MAN HA? SUDD5LY 5T]$ 9TO MY HE>T1 SO ?AT ,I LONG = HIM MORE ?IS M9UTE ?AN ,I DID ! LA/1 & ! NEXT M9UTE %ALL LONG /ILL MORE4 ,& ,I LONG = HIM TO LOVE ME1 & NOT ALONE TO PLEASURE ME40  

0,MAYHAPP5 IT WILL SO BETIDE )\T ANY PU%+ ! MATT]10 SAID ,AGA?A4  

0,NAY10 SAID ! ,LADY1 0,NAY2 MY HE>T TELLS ME ?AT IT WILL NOT BE SO2 = ,I HAVE SE5 HIM1 ?AT HE IS ( HI<] K9D ?AN WE BE2 AS IF HE W]E A GOD COME D[N TO US1 :O IF HE MI<T NOT CA/ HIS LOVE UPON A GODDESS1 W\LD DISDA9 TO LOVE AN E>?LY WOMAN1 LITTLE-M9D$ & 9 :OM P]FECTION IS NOT40  ,!RE) ! TE>S BEGAN TO RUN FROM H] EYES2 BUT ,AGA?A LOOK$ ON H] ) A SUBTLE SMILE & SAID3  0,O MY ,LADY6 & ?\ HA/ SC>CE SE5 HIM6  ,& YET ,I WILL NOT SAY BUT ?AT ,I UND]/& ?IS4  ,BUT AS TO ! MATT] ( A GODDESS1 ,I KN[ NOT4 ,MANY W\LD SAY ?AT ?\ SITT+ ON ?9E IVORY *AIR 9 ?Y GOLD5 RAIM5T1 ) ?Y FAIR BOSOM & :ITE >MS & YELL[ HAIR1 W]T NOT ILL DONE = ! IMAGE ( A GODDESS2 & ?IS Y\NG MAN MAY WELL ?9K SO ( !E4 ,H[EV] ?AT MAY BE1 !RE IS SOME?+ ELSE ,I WILL SAY TO !E2 7& ?\ KN[E/ ?AT ,I SPEAK ! TRU? TO !E--MO/ (T5-- ?\< ,I BE WILY74 ,?IS IS ! WORD1 ?AT AL?\< ?\ HA/ TIME & AGA9 TREAT$ ME LIKE ! ?RALL ,I AM1 ,I DEEM !E NO ILL WOMAN1 BUT RA!R SOME?+ OV]GOOD = ,UTT]BOL & ! D>K LORD !RE(40  

,N[ SAT ! ,LADY %AK5 ) SOBS1 & WEEP+ )\T /9T2 BUT %E LOOK$ UP AT ?AT WORD & SAID3  0,NAY1 NAY1 ,AGA?A1 IT IS NOT SO4 ,TO-DAY HA? ?IS MAN'S EYES BE5 A C&LE TO ME1 ?AT ,I MAY SEE MYSELF TRULY2 & ,I KN[ ?AT ?\< ,I AM A QUE5 & NOT UNCOMELY1 ,I AM BUT CO>SE & LITTLE-M9D$4 ,I RAGE 9 MY H\SEHOLD :5 ! :IM TAKES ME1 & ,I AM HOT-HEAD$1 & MA/]FUL1 & SLO?FUL1 & %\LD BELIKE BE UNTRUE IF !RE W]E ANY =CE TO DRIVE ME !RETO4 ,& ,I SUFF] MY HUSB& TO GO AFT] O!R WOM51 & ?IS NEW ?RALL IS ESPECIAL1 SO ?AT ,I MAY TAKE MY PLEASURE UN/AY$ ) O!R M5 :OM ,I LOVE NOT GREATLY4  ,YES1 ,I AM FOOLI%1 & EMPTY-HEAD$1 & UNCLEAN4 ,& ALL ?IS HE WILL SEE ?R\< MY QUE5LY /ATE1 & MY GOLD5 G[N1 & MY :ITE SK9 )AL40  

,AGA?A LOOK$ ON H] CURI\SLY1 BUT SMIL+ NO MORE4  ,AT LA/ %E SAID3 0,:AT IS TO DO1 !N8 OR MU/ ,I ?9K ( SOME?+ = !E80  

0,I KN[ NOT1 ,I KN[ NOT10 SAID ! ,LADY BETWE5 H] SOBS2 0YET IF ,I MI<T BE 9 SU* CASE ?AT HE MI<T PITY ME2 BELIKE IT MI<T BL9D HIS EYES TO ! ILL P>T ( ME4  ,YEA10 %E SAID1 RIS+ UP & FALL+ WALK+ TO & FRO SWIFTLY1 0IF HE MI<T HURT ME & W\ND ME HIMSELF1 & ,I SO LOV+ HIM40  

,SAID ,AGA?A COLDLY3  0,YES1 ,LADY1 ,I AM NOT WILY = NAU<T2 & ,I BO? DEEM ?AT ,I KN[ :AT IS 9 ?9E HE>T1 & ?AT IT IS GOOD = SOME?+2 & MOREOV] ?AT ,I MAY HELP !E SOME:AT !RE94  ,SO 9 A FEW DAYS ?\ %ALT SEE :E!R ,I AM WOR? SOME?+ MORE ?AN H>D WORDS & BEAT+4 ,ONLY ?\ MU/ PROMISE 9 ALL WISE TO OBEY ME1 ?\< ,I BE ! ?RALL1 & ?\ ! ,LADY1 & TO LEAVE ALL ! :OLE MATT] 9 MY H&S40  

,QUO? ! ,LADY3  0,?AT IS EASY TO PROMISE2 = :AT MAY ,I DO BY MYSELF80  

,!N ,AGA?A FELL POND]+ A :ILE1 & SAID !REAFT]3 0,FIR/1 ?\ %ALT GET ME SPEE* ) MY ,LORD1 & CAUSE HIM TO SWE> IMMUNITY TO ME1 :ATSOEV] ,I %ALL SAY OR DO H]E940 ,SAID ! ,LADY3  0,EASY IS ?IS4  ,:AT MORE HA/ ?\80  

,SAID ,AGA?A3  0,IT W]E BETT] = !E NOT TO GO =? TO SEE ! J\/+2 BECAUSE ?\ >T NOT TO BE TRU/$ ?AT ?\ %[ NOT ?Y LOVE OP5LY :5 ! Y\NGL+ IS 9 P]IL2 & IF ?\ PUT ?Y LORD TO %AME OP5LY BE=E ! PEOPLE1 HE MU/ NE$S ?W>T ?Y WILL1 & BE FI]CE & CRUEL1 & !N IT WILL GO H>D ) ?Y D>L+4 ,SO ?\ %ALT NOT GO FROM ! PAVILION TILL ! NI<T IS D>K1 & ?\ MAY/ FEIGN ?YSELF SICK MEANTIME40  

0,SICK 5\< %ALL ,I BE IF ,I MAY NOT GO =? TO SEE H[ MY LOVE IS F>+ 9 HIS P]IL3  ?IS AT LEA/ IS H>D TO ME2 BUT SO BE IT6 ,AT LEA/ ?\ WILT COME & TELL ME H[ HE SPE$E?40 0,OH YES10 SAID ,AGA?A1 0IF ?\ MU/ HAVE IT SO2 BUT FE> ?\ NOT1 HE %ALL DO WELL 5\<40  

,SAID ! ,LADY3  0,AH1 BUT ?\ WOTTE/ H[ (T IT GOES ) A *ANCE /ROKE1 ?AT ! PO9T PI]CE? :]E IT %\LD NOT2 NAY1 :]E BY LIKELIHEAD IT C\LD NOT40  

0,NAY10 SAID ,AGA?A1 0:AT *ANCE IS !RE 9 ?IS1 :5 ! Y\NGL+ KN[E? ! :OLE MANN] ( ! PLAY1 & HIS FOEM5 KN[ NAU<T !RE(8 ,IT IS AS ! *ANCE BETWIXT ,GE(FREY ! ,M9/REL & ,BLACK ,ANSELM1 :5 !Y PLAY AT *ESS TOGE!R1 ?AT ,ANSELM MU/ NE$S BE MAT$ ]E HE HA? TIME TO ?9K ( HIS F\R? MOVE4  ,I WOT ( !SE MATT]S1 MY ,LADY4  ,N[1 FUR!R1 ,I W\LD HAVE ?Y LEAVE TO M>%AL ?Y MAIDS AB\T ! SEAT :]E ?\ %\LDE/ BE1 & MOREOV] !RE %\LD BE SOMEONE 9 ?Y SEAT1 EV5 IF ,I SAT 9 IT MYSELF40  ,SAID ! ,LADY3 0,YEA1 SIT !RE IF ?\ WILT40  

0,WOE'S ME60 SAID ,AGA?A LAU<+1 0:Y %\LD ,I SIT !RE8 ,I AM LIKE TO !E1 AM ,I NOT80  0,YEA10 SAID ! ,LADY1 0AS ! SWAN IS LIKE TO ! LOON40  0,YEA1 MY ,LADY10 SAID ,AGA?A1 0:I* IS ! SWAN & :I* ! LOON8  ,WELL1 WELL1 FE> NOT2 ,I %ALL SET ,JOYCE 9 ?Y SEAT BY MY ,LORD'S LEAVE2 %E IS TALL & FAIR1 & =SOO? SOME:AT LIKE TO !E40 0,:Y WILT ?\ DO ?IS80 QUO? ! ,LADY2 0,:Y %\LD ?RALLS SIT 9 MY SEAT80  ,SAID ,AGA?A3  0,O1 ! TALE IS LONG TO TELL2 BUT ,I W\LD CONFUSE ?AT Y\NG MAN'S MEMORY ( !E SOME:AT1 IF HIS EYES FELL ON !E AT ALL :5 YE MET E'5 N[1 :I* IS TO BE D\BT$40  

,! ,LADY />T$ UP 9 SUDD5 WRA?1 & CRI$ \T3 0,%E HAD BE/ NOT BE TOO LIKE TO ME !N1 & /RIVE TO DRAW HIS EYES TO H]1 OR ,I WILL HAVE H] M>K$ = DIV]SITY BETWIXT US4 ,TAKE HE$1 TAKE HE$60  

,AGA?A LOOK$ S(TLY ON H] & SAID3  0,MY ,LADY4  ,YE FAIR-SK9N$1 OP5-FAC$ WOM5 %\LD LOOK TO IT NOT TO %[ Y\RSELVES ANGRY BE=E M5-FOLK4 ,= OP5 WRA? M>RE? Y\R BEAUTY SORELY4 ,LEAVE SC[LS & FURY TO ! D>K-BR[$1 :O CAN USE !M )\T WRY+ !IR FACES LIKE A ?REE MON?S' BABY ) ! COLIC4 ,N[ ?AT IS MY LA/ R$E AS N[4  ,= ME?9KS ,I CAN HE> ! TRUMPETS BL[+ = ! >RAY+ ( ! T\RNEY4 ,:]E=E ,I MU/ GO TO SEE TO MATT]S1 :ILE ?\ HA/ BUT TO BE QUIET4 ,& TO-NI<T MAKE MU* ( MY ,LORD1 & BID HIM SEE ME TO-MORR[1 & GIVE HE$ TO :AT ,I %ALL SAY TO HIM4  ,BUT IF ,I MEET HIM )\T1 N[1 AS IS MO/ LIKE1 ,I %ALL BID HIM 9 TO !E1 ?AT ?\ MAY/ TELL HIM ( ,JOYCE1 & H] SITT+ 9 ?Y SEAT4 ,O!RWISE ,I WILL TELL HIM AS SOON AS HE IS SET D[N 9 HIS PLACE4 ,SOO? TO SAY1 HE IS LITTLE LIKE TO QU>REL ) EI!R !E OR ME = SETT+ A FAIR WOMAN O!R ?AN !E BY HIS SIDE40  

,!RE) %E LIFT$ ! T5T LAP & W5T \T1 /EPP+ DA9TILY1 & H] SL5D] BODY SWAY+ LIKE A WILL[ BRAN*1 & CAME AT ONCE FACE TO FACE ) ! ,LORD ( ,UTT]BOL1 & B[$ L[ & HUMBLY BE=E HIM1 ?\< H] FACE1 UNSE5 ( HIM1 SMIL$ MOCK+LY4  ,! ,LORD LOOK$ ON H] GRE$ILY1 & LET HIS H& & >M GO OV] H] %\LD]1 & AB\T H] SIDE1 & HE DREW H] TO HIM1 & KISS$ H]1 & SAID3 0,:AT1 ,AGA?A6 & :Y >T ?\ NOT BR++ =? ?Y MI/RESS TO US80 ,%E RAIS$ H] FACE TO HIM1 & MURMUR$ S(TLY1 AS ONE AFRAID1 BUT ) A :E$L+ SMILE ON H] FACE & 9 H] EYES3 0,NAY1 MY ,LORD1 %E WILL ABIDE )9 TO-DAY1 = %E IS ILL AT EASE2 IF Y\R GRACE GOE? 91 %E WILL TELL !E :AT %E WILL HAVE40  

0,AGA?A10 QUO? HE1 0,I WILL HE> H]1 & ,I WILL DO H] PLEASURE IF ?\ ASK ME SO TO DO40  ,!N ,AGA?A CA/ D[N H] EYES1 & H] SPEE* WAS SO L[ & SWEET ?AT IT WAS AS ! COO+ ( A DOVE1 AS %E SAID3 0,O MY ,LORD1 :AT IS ?IS WORD ( ?9E80  

,HE KISS$ H] AGA91 & SAID3  0,WELL1 WELL1 BUT DO/ ?\ ASK IT80 0,O YEA1 YEA1 MY ,LORD10 SAID %E4  

0,IT IS DONE !N10 SAID ! ,LORD2 & HE LET H] GO2 = HE HAD BE5 /ROK+ H] >M & %\LD]1 & %E HURRI$ AWAY1 LAU<+ 9W>DLY1 TO ! ,LADY'S WOM54 ,BUT HE W5T 9TO ! PAVILION AFT] HE HAD CA/ ONE LOOK AT H]4  

,*,A,P,T,] #c#g3 ,H[ ,RALPH ,JU/$ ,) ! ,ALI5S  

,MEAN:ILE ,CAPTA9 ,OTT] HAD BR\<T ,RALPH 9TO ! /AK$-\T LI/S1 :I*1 BE+ HA/ILY PIT*$1 W]E BUT SL5D]LY DONE1 & N[ ! ,UPMEADS /RIPL+ /OOD !RE BESIDE A GOOD HORSE :I* !Y HAD BR\<T TO HIM1 & ,OTT] HAD BE5 SPEAK+ TO HIM FRI5DLY4 ,BUT ,RALPH SAW ! ,LORD COME =? FROM ! PAVILION & TAKE HIS SEAT ON AN IVORY *AIR SET ON A TURF RIDGE CLOSE TO ! /AKES ( ! LI/S3  = ?AT PLACE WAS US$ ( CU/OM = SU* GAMES AS !Y EX]CIS$ 9 ! L&S ( ,UTT]BOL4 ,!N PRES5TLY ! ,LADY'S WOM5 CAME \T ( !IR T5TS1 &1 BE+ M>%AL$ BY ,AGA?A1 W5T 9TO ! ,QUE5'S PAVILION1 :5CE !Y CAME =? AGA9 PRES5TLY LIKE A B$ ( G>D5 FL[]S MOV+1 HAV+ 9 ! MID/ ( !M A WOMAN SO FAIR1 & CLAD SO GLORI\SLY1 ?AT ,RALPH MU/ NE$S LOOK ON H]1 ?\< HE W]E SOME WAY (F1 & TAKE NOTE ( H] BEAUTY4 ,%E W5T & SAT H] D[N BESIDE ! ,LORD1 & ,RALPH D\BT$ NOT ?AT IT WAS ! ,QUE51 :OM HE HAD BUT GLANC$ AT :5 !Y FIR/ MADE /AY BE=E ! PAVILION4 ,SOO? TO SAY1 ,JOYCE BE+ WELL NI< AS TALL AS ! ,QUE51 & AS :ITE ( SK91 WAS O!RWISE A F> FAIR] WOMAN4  

,N[ SPAKE ,OTT] TO ,RALPH3  0,I MU/ LEAVE !E H]E1 LAD1 & GO TO ! O!R SIDE1 AS ,I AM TO RUN AGA9/ !E40  ,SAID ,RALPH3 0,>T ?\ TO RUN FIR/80  0,NAY1 BUT RA!R LA/10 SAID ,OTT]2 0!Y WILL TRY !E FIR/ ) ONE ( ! S]GEANTS1 & IF HE OV]COME !E1 !N ALL IS DONE1 & ?\ >T 9 AN EVIL PLI<T4 ,O!RWISE WILL !Y F9D ANO!R & ANO!R1 & AT LA/ IT WILL BE MY TURN4  ,SO KEEP !E WELL1 LAD40  

,!RE) HE RODE AWAY1 & !RE CAME TO ,RALPH ONE ( ! S]GEANTS1 :O BR\<T HIM A SPE>1 & BADE HIM TO HORSE4 ,SO ,RALPH M\NT$ & TOOK ! SPE> 9 H&2 & ! S]GEANT SAID3 0,?\ >T TO RUN AT :ATSOEV] MEETE? !E :5 ?\ HA/ HE>D ! ?IRD BLA/ ( ! HORN4  ,>T ?\ READY80  0,YEA1 YEA10 SAID ,RALPH2 0BUT ,I SEE ?AT ! SPE>-HEAD IS NOT REBAT$1 SO ?AT WE >E TO PLAY AT %>PS40  

0,>T ?\ AFRAID1 Y\NGL+80 SAID ! S]GEANT1 :O WAS OLD & CRABB$1 0IF ?AT BE SO1 GO & TELL ! ,LORD3 BUT ?\ WILT F9D ?AT HE WILL NOT HAVE HIS SPORT :OLLY SPOIL$1 BUT WILL SOMEH[ MAKE A BOLT OR A %AFT \T ( !E40  

,SAID ,RALPH3  0,I DID BUT JE/2 ,I DEEM MYSELF NOT SO NE> MY DEA? TO-DAY AS ,I HAVE BE5 TWICE ?IS SUMM] OR (T5]40 ,SAID ! S]GEANT1 0,IT IS ILL JE/+ 9 MATT]S :]E9 MY ,LORD HA? TO DO4  ,N[ ?\ HA/ HE>D MY WORD3 DO AFT] IT40  

,!RE) HE DEP>T$1 & ,RALPH LAU<$ & %OOK ! SPE> AL(T1 & DEEM$ IT NOT OV] /RONG2 BUT HE SAID TO HIMSELF ?AT ! SPE>S ( ! O!RS W\LD BE MU* ! SAME4  

,N[ ! HORN BLEW UP ?RICE1 & AT ! LATE/ BLA/ ,RALPH PRICK$ =?1 AS ONE WELL US$ TO ! TILT1 BUT HELD HIS HORSE WELL 9 H&2 & HE SAW A MAN COME DRIV+ AGA9/ HIM ) HIS SPE> 9 ! RE/1 & DEEM$ HIM RI<T BIG2 BUT ?IS )AL HE SAW1 ?AT ! MAN WAS ILL >RAY$1 & WAS PULL+ ON HIS HORSE AS ONE NOT WILL+ TO TRU/ HIM TO ! RU%2 & 9DE$ HE CAME ON SO ILL ?AT IT WAS CLE> ?AT HE W\LD NEV] /RIKE ,RALPH'S %IELD FAIRLY4 ,SO HE SW]V$ AS !Y MET1 SO ?AT HIS SPE>-PO9T WAS NEV] NE> TO ,RALPH1 :O TURN$ HIS HORSE T[>D HIM A LITTLE1 & CAU<T HIS FOEMAN BY ! GE> AB\T HIS NECK1 & SPURR$ ON1 SO ?AT HE DRAGG$ HIM CLEAN \T ( HIS SADDLE1 & LET HIM DROP1 & RODE BACK QUIETLY TO HIS PLACE1 & GOT (F HIS HORSE TO SEE TO HIS GIR?S2 & HE HE>D GREAT LAU<T] RIS+ UP FROM ! R+ ( M51 & FROM ! WOM5 ALSO4  ,BUT ! ,LORD ( ,UTT]BOL CRI$ \T3 0,BR+ =? SOME ONE :O DO? NOT EAT MY MEAT = NO?+3 & SET ?AT WRET* & DA/>D ASIDE TILL ! TILT+ BE OV]1 & !N HE %ALL PAY A LITTLE = HIS WA/$ MEAT & DR9K40  

,RALPH GOT 9TO HIS SADDLE AGA91 & SAW A V]Y BIG MAN COME =? AT ! O!R 5D ( ! LI/S1 & WOND]$ IF HE %\LD BE OV]?R[N ( HIM2 BUT NOT$ ?AT HIS HORSE SEEM$ NOT OV] GOOD4  ,!N ! HORN BLEW UP & HE SPURR$ ON1 & HIS FOEMAN MET HIM FAIRLY 9 ! MIDMO/ ( ! LI/S3 YET HE LAID HIS SPE> BUT ILL1 & AS ONE :O W\LD ?RU/ & FO9 ) IT RA!R ?AN LETT+ IT DRIVE ALL IT MI<T1 SO ?AT ,RALPH TURN$ ! PO9T ) HIS %IELD ?AT IT GLANC$ (F1 BUT HE HIMSELF SMOTE ! O!R FULL ON ! %\LD]1 & ! %AFT BRAKE1 BUT ! PO9T HAD PI]C$ ! MAN'S >MOR1 & ! TRUN*EON /UCK 9 ! W\ND3 YET S9CE ! SPE> WAS BROK5 HE KEPT HIS SADDLE4 ,! ,LORD CRI$ \T1 0,WELL1 ,BLACK ,ANSELM1 ?IS IS BETT] DONE2 YET >T ?\ A BIG MAN & A WELL-SKILL$ TO BE BEAT5 BY A /RIPL+40  

,SO ! MAN WAS HELP$ AWAY & ,RALPH W5T BACK TO HIS PLACE AGA94  

,!N ANO!R MAN WAS GOTT5 TO RUN AGA9/ ,RALPH1 & IT W5T ! SAME-LIKE WAY3  = ,RALPH SMOTE HIM AMID ( ! %IELD1 & ! SPE> HELD1 SO ?AT HE FELL FL\ND]+ (F HIS HORSE4  

,SIX ( ! /\TE/ M5 ( ,UTT]BOL DID ,RALPH OV]?R[ OR HURT 9 ?IS WISE2 & !N HE RAN ?REE C\RSES ) ,OTT]1 & 9 ! FIR/ TWO EA* BRAKE HIS SPE> FAIRLY ON ! O!R2 BUT 9 ! ?IRD ,OTT] SMOTE NOT ,RALPH SQU>ELY1 BUT ,RALPH SMOTE FULL AMID ( HIS %IELD1 & SO DI<T HIM ?AT HE WELL-NI< FELL1 & C\LD NOT MA/] HIS HORSE1 BUT YET JU/ B>ELY KEPT HIS SADDLE4  

,!N ! ,LORD CRI$ \T3  0,N[ MAKE WE AN 5D ( IT6 ,WE HAVE NO MI<T AGA9/ ?IS Y\NGL+1 MAN TO MAN3 OR ELSE W\LD ,OTT] HAVE DONE IT4  ,?IS COMES ( LE>N+ A CRAFT DILIG5TLY40  

,SO ,RALPH GOT (F HIS HORSE1 & DID (F HIS HELM & AWAIT$ TID+S2 & ANON COMES TO HIM ! SURLY S]GEANT1 & BR\<T HIM A CUP ( W9E1 & SAID3  0,Y\NGL+1 ?\ >T TO DR9K ?IS1 & !N GO TO MY ,LORD2 & ,I DEEM ?AT ?\ >T 9 FAVOR ) HIM4  ,SO IF ?\ >T NOT TOO GREAT A MAN1 ?\ MI<TE/ PUT 9 A WORD = POOR ,R$HEAD1 ?AT FIR/ MAN ?AT DID SO ILL4  ,= MY ,LORD W\LD HAVE HIM SET UP1 & HEAD D[N & BUTTOCKS AL(T1 AS A T>GET = \R B[M54 ,& IT WILL BE HIS LUCK IF HE BE SP$ ) ! ?IRD %OT1 & LA/ NOT \T TO ! TW5TIE?40  

0,YEA1 C]TES10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,I WILL DO NO LESS1 EV5 IF IT ANG] ! ,LORD40  0,O ?\ WILT NOT ANG] HIM10 SAID ! MAN1 0= ,I TELL !E1 ?\ >T 9 FAVOR4  ,YEA1 & = ME ALSO ?\ MI<TE/ SAY A WORD ALSO1 :5 ?\ BECOME/ RI<T GREAT2 = HAVE ,I NOT BR\<T !E A GOOD B[L ( W9E80 0,D\BT IT NOT1 MAN10 SAID ,RALPH1 0IF ,I ONCE GET SAFE TO ,UTT]BOL3 WE>Y ON IT & ALL ITS WAYS60  ,SAID ! S]GEANT3 0,?AT IS AN EVIL WI% = ONE :O %ALL DO WELL AT ,UTT]BOL4 ,BUT COME1 T>RY NOT40  

,SO HE BR\<T ,RALPH TO ! ,LORD1 :O /ILL SAT 9 HIS *AIR BESIDE ?AT FAIR WOMAN1 & ,RALPH DID OBEYSANCE TO HIM2 YET HE HAD A SIDELONG GLANCE ALSO = ?AT FAIR SEEM+-QUE51 & DEEM$ H] BO? PR\D-LOOK+1 & SO :ITE-SK9N$1 ?AT %E WAS A WOND]1 LIKE ! QUE5 ( ! FAYS3 & IT WAS JU/ ?IS ?AT HE HAD NOT$ ( ! ,QUE5 AS HE /OOD BE=E H] E>LI] 9 ! DAY :5 !Y FIR/ CAME 9TO ! VALE2 !RE=E HE HAD NO D\BT ( ?IS DAMSEL'S QUE5%IP4  

,N[ ! ,LORD SPAKE TO HIM & SAID3  0,WELL1 Y\NGL+1 ?\ HA/ DONE WELL1 & BETT] ?AN ?Y BEHE/3  & S9CE YE HAVE BE5 PLAY+ AT %>PS1 ,I DEEM ?\ W\LD'/ NOT DO ILL 9 BATTLE1 IF IT CAME TO ?AT4 ,SO N[ ,I AM LIKE TO MAKE SOME?+ O!R ( !E ?AN ,I WAS M9D$ TO AT FIR/3  = ,I DEEM ?AT ?\ >T GOOD 5\< TO BE A MAN4 ,& IF ?\ WILT N[ ASK A BOON ( ME1 IF IT BE NOT OV] GREAT1 ,I WILL GRANT IT !E40  

,RALPH PUT ONE KNEE TO ! GR\ND1 & SAID3  0,GREAT ,LORD1 ,I ?ANK !E3  BUT :]EAS ,I AM 9 AN ALI5 L& & SEEK+ GREAT ?+S1 ,I KN[ ( NO GIFT :I* ,I MAY TAKE = MYSELF SAVE LEAVE TO DEP>T1 :I* ,I DEEM ?\ WILT NOT GRANT ME4 ,YET ONE ?+ ?\ MAY/ DO = MY ASK+ IF ?\ WILT4 ,IF ?\ BE /ILL ANGRY ) ! C>LE :OM ,I FIR/ UNHORS$1 ,I PRAY !E P>DON HIM HIS ILL-LUCK40  

0,ILL-LUCK60 SAID ! ,LORD1 0,:Y1 ,I SAW HIM ?AT HE WAS D[NRI<T AFRAID ( !E4  ,& IF MY M5 >E TO GR[ BL5*]S & S(T-HE>TS :AT IS TO DO !N8  ,BUT TELL ME1 ,OTT]1 :AT IS ! NAME ( ?IS C>LE80 ,SAID ,OTT]1 0,R$HEAD HE HI<T1 ,LORD40  ,SAID ! ,LORD3  0,& :AT LIKE A MAN IS HE 9 A FRAY80  0,NAU<T SO ILL1 ,LORD10 SAID ,OTT]4 0,?IS TIME1 LIKE ! RE/ ( US1 HE KNEW NOT ?IS GE>4 ,IT W]E SC>CE GOOD TO MISS HIM AT ! NEXT P9*4 ,IT W]E 5\< IF HE HAD ! ?ONGS OV] HIS BACK A FEW DOZ5 TIMES2 IT WILL NOT BE ! FIR/ DAY ( SU* *E] TO HIM40  

0,HA60 SAID ! ,LORD1 0& :AT =1 ,OTT]1 :AT =80 0,BECAUSE HE WAS SOME:AT R\<-H&$1 ,LORD10 SAID ,OTT]4 0,!N %ALL WE NE$ HIM & USE HIM SOME DAY4  ,LET HIM GO SCOT FREE & DO BETT] ANO!R B\T4  ,!RE IS ?Y BOON GRANT$ = !E1 KNI<T2 & ANO!R DAY ?\ MAY/ ASK SOME?+ MORE4 ,& N[ %ALL ,DAVID HAVE A C>E ( !E4  ,& :5 WE COME TO ,UTT]BOL WE %ALL SEE :AT IS TO BE DONE ) !E40  

,!N ,RALPH ROSE UP & ?ANK$ HIM1 & ,DAVID CAME =W>D1 & L$ HIM TO HIS T5T4  ,& HE WAS :E$L+ 9 HIS WAYS TO HIM1 AS IF ,RALPH W]E N[ BECOME ONE :O MI<T DO HIM GREAT GOOD IF SO HIS WILL W]E4  

,BUT ! ,LORD W5T BACK AGA9 9TO ! ,T[]4  

,AS TO ! ,LADY1 %E ABODE 9 H] PAVILION AMID MANY FE>S & DESIRES1 TILL ,AGA?A 5T]$ & SAID3  0,MY ,LADY1 SO F> ALL HAS GONE HAPPILY40 ,SAID ! ,LADY3  0,I DEEM$ FROM ! NOISE & ! CRY ?AT HE WAS DO+ WELL4 ,BUT TELL ME1 H[ DID HE80  0',MY ,LADY10 QUO? ,AGA?A1 0HE KNOCK$ \R FOLK AB\T WELL-FAVOR$LY1 & SEEM$ TO ?9K LITTLE ( IT40  

0,& ,JOYCE10 SAID ! ,LADY1 0H[ DID %E80  0,%E LOOK$ A QUE51 EV]Y 9* ( H]1 & %E IS TALL10 SAID ,AGA?A3  0SOO?LY SOME FOLK />$ ON H]1 BUT NOT MANY KNEW ( H]1 S9CE %E IS BUT NEW 9TO \R H\SE4  ,?\< IT IS A MATT] ( C\RSE ?AT ALL SAVE \R NEW-COME KNI<T KNEW ?AT IT WAS NOT ?\ ?AT SAT !RE4 ,& MY ,LORD WAS WELL-PLEAS$1 & N[ HE HA? TAK5 H] BY ! H& & L$ H] 9TO ! ,T[]40  

,! ,LADY R$D5$ & SC[L$1 & SAID3  0,& HE444 DID HE COME ANI< H]80 0,O YEA10 SAID ,AGA?A1 0:]EAS HE /OOD BE=E MY ,LORD A GOOD :ILE1 & !N KNEEL$ TO HIM TO PRAY P>DON = ONE ( \R M5 :O HAD DONE ILL 9 ! TILT+3  YEA1 HE WAS NI< 5\< TO H] TO T\* H] HAD HE D>$1 & TO SMELL ! FRAGRANCE ( H] RAIM5T4 ,& HE SEEM$ TO ?9K IT GOOD TO LOOK \T ( ! CORN]S ( HIS EYES AT H]2 ?\< ,I DO NOT SAY ?AT %E SMIL$ ON HIM40 ,! ,LADY SPRANG UP1 H] *EEKS BURN+1 & WALK$ AB\T ANGRILY A :ILE1 /RIV+ = WORDS1 TILL AT LA/ %E SAID3  0,:5 WE COME HOME TO ,UTT]BOL1 MY LORD WILL SEE HIS NEW ?RALL AGA91 & WILL C>E = ,JOYCE NO :IT3 !N WILL ,I HAVE MY WILL ( H]2 & %E %ALL LE>N1 %E1 :E!R ,I AM V]ILY ! LEA/ ( WOM5 AT ,UTT]BOL6  ,HA6 :AT SAYE/ ?\8 ,N[ :Y WILT ?\ /& & SMILE ON ME8--,YEA1 ,I KN[ :AT IS 9 ?Y ?\<T2 & 9 V]Y SOO? IT IS GOOD ?AT ! DE> Y\NGL+ HA? NOT SE5 ?IS NEW ?RALL1 ?IS ,URSULA4  ,=SOO?1 ,I TELL !E ?AT IF ,I DUR/ HAVE H] 9 MY H&S ,I W\LD HAVE A TRUE TALE \T ( H] AS TO :Y %E WE>E? EV] ?AT PAIR ( BEADS AB\T H] NECK40  

0,N[1 \R ,LADY10 SAID ,AGA?A1 0?\ >T M>R+ ! FAIRNESS ( ?Y FACE AGA94  ,I BID !E BE AT PEACE1 = ALL %ALL BE WELL1 & O!R ?AN ?\ DEEME/4  ,TELL ME1 !N1 DID/ ?\ GET \R ,LORD TO SWE> IMMUNITY = ME80  ,SAID ! ,LADY3 0,YEA1 HE SWORE ON ! $GE ( ! SWORD ?AT ?\ MI<TE/ SAY :AT ?\ W\LD/1 & NEI!R HE NOR ANY O!R %\LD LAY H& ON !E40  

0,GOOD10 SAID ,AGA?A2 0!N WILL ,I GO TO HIM TO-MORR[ MORN+1 :5 ,JOYCE HAS GONE FROM HIM4  ,BUT N[ HOLD UP ?9E HE>T1 & KEEP CLOSE = !SE TWO DAYS ?AT WE %ALL YET ABIDE 9 ,T[] ,DALE3 & TRU/ ME ?IS V]Y EV5+ ,I %ALL BEG9 TO SET TID+S GO+ ?AT %ALL WORK & GR[1 & %ALL ONE DAY REJOICE ?9E HE>T40  

,SO FELL ! TALK BETWIXT !M4  

,*,A,P,T,] #c#h3 ,A ,FRI5D ,GIVES ,RALPH ,W>N+  

,ON ! MORR[ ,RALPH W&]$ AB\T ! ,DALE :]E HE W\LD1 & NONE M$DL$ ) HIM4  ,& AS HE WALK$ EA/ ALONG ! /REAM :]E ! VALLEY BEGAN TO N>R[1 HE SAW A MAN SITT+ ON ! BANK FI%+ ) AN ANGLE1 & :5 HE DREW NE>1 ! MAN TURN$ AB\T1 & SAW HIM4 ,!N HE LAYS D[N HIS ANGL+ ROD & RISES TO HIS FEET1 & /&S FAC+ ,RALPH1 LOOK+ %EEPI%1 ) HIS H&S HANG+ D[N BY HIS SIDES2 & ,RALPH1 :O WAS ?9K+ ( O!R FOLK1 WOND]$ :AT HE W\LD4 ,SO HE SAID3  0,HAIL1 GOOD FELL[6  ,:AT W\LD/ ?\80  ,SAID ! MAN3 0,I W\LD ?ANK !E40  0,:AT =80 SAID ,RALPH1 BUT AS HE LOOK$ ON HIM HE SAW ?AT IT WAS ,R$HEAD1 :OSE P>DON HE HAD WON ( ! ,LORD YE/]DAY2 SO HE HELD \T HIS H&1 & TOOK ,R$HEAD'S1 & SMIL$ FRI5DLY ON HIM4 ,R$HEAD LOOK$ HIM FULL 9 ! FACE1 & ?\< HE WAS BO? BIG & V]Y R\<-LOOK+1 HE HAD NOT ALTOGE!R ! LOOK ( A RASCAL4  

,HE SAID3  0,FAIR LORD1 ,I W\LD ?AT ,I MI<T DO SOME?+ = ?9E AVAIL1 & P]*ANCE ,I MAY3  BUT IT IS H>D TO DO GOOD DE$S 9 ,HELL1 ESPECIALLY = ONE ( ITS DEVILS40  

0,YEA1 IS IT SO BAD AS ?AT80 SAID ,RALPH4  0,= !E NOT YET10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0BUT IT MAY COME TO IT4  ,HE>K51 LORD1 !RE IS NONE ANI< US ?AT ,I CAN SEE1 SO ,I WILL SAY A WORD TO !E AT ONCE4  ,LAT] ON IT MAY BE OV] LATE3 ,GO ?\ NOT TO ,UTT]BOL :ATEV] MAY BETIDE40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0BUT H[ IF ,I BE TAK5 ?I!R80  ,QUO? ,R$HEAD3 0,I CAN SEE ?IS1 ?AT ?\ >T SO FAVOR$ ?AT ?\ MAY/ GO :I!R ?\ WILT AB\T ! CAMP ) NONE TO H9D] !E4 ,!RE=E IT WILL BE EASY = !E TO DEP>T BY NI<T & CL\D1 OR 9 ! GRAY ( MORN+1 :5 ?\ COME/ TO A GOOD PASS1 :]E( ,I WILL TELL !E4  ,& /ILL ,I SAY1 GO ?\ NOT TO ,UTT]BOL3 = ?\ >T OV] GOOD TO BE MADE A DEVIL (1 LIKE TO US1 & !RE=E ?\ %ALT BE TORM5T$ TILL ?Y LIFE IS SPOIL$1 & BY ?AT ROAD %ALT ?\ BE S5T TO HEAV540  

0,BUT ?\ SAID/ EV5 N[10 SAID ,RALPH1 0?AT ,I WAS HI< 9 ! ,LORD'S GRACE40  0,YEA10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0?AT MAY LA/ TILL ?\ HA/ COMM& TO DO SOME DA/>D'S DE$ & NAY-SAYE/ IT1 AS ?\ WILT3 & !N F>EWELL TO !E2 = ,I KN[ :AT MY ,LORD MEANE? = !E40 0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0& :AT IS ?AT80  ,SAID ,R$HEAD2 0,HE HA? B\<T !E TO GIVE TO HIS WIFE = A TOY & A M9ION1 & IF %E LIKE !E1 IT WILL BE WELL = A :ILE3  BUT ON ! FIR/ OCCASION ?AT S]VE? HIM1 & %E WE>IE? ( !E 7= %E IS A WOMAN LIKE A WEA!R-COCK71 HE WILL LAY H& ON !E & TAKE ! MANHOOD FROM !E1 & LET !E DRIFT AB\T ,UTT]BOL A MOCK = ALL M54 ,= ALREADY AT HE>T HE HATE? !E40  

,RALPH /OOD POND]+ ?IS WORD1 = SOMEH[ IT *IM$ 9 ) ! ?\<T ALREADY 9 HIS HE>T4  ,YET H[ %\LD HE NOT GO TO ,UTT]BOL ) ! ,DAMSEL ABID+ DELIV]ANCE ( HIM !RE3 & YET AGA91 IF !Y MET !RE & W]E ESPI$ ON1 W\LD NOT ?AT RU9 EV]Y?+ = H] AS WELL AS = HIM8  

,AT LA/ HE SAID3  0,GOOD FELL[1 ?IS MAY BE TRUE1 BUT H[ %ALL ,I KN[ IT = TRUE BE=E ,I RUN ! RISK ( FLEE+ AWAY1 9/EAD ( GO+ ON TO ,UTT]BOL1 :]EAS FOLK DEEM HONOR AWAITE? ME40  

,SAID ,R$HEAD3  0,!RE IS NO HONOR AT ,UTT]BOL SAVE = SU* AS >E UNWOR?Y ( HONOR4  ,BUT ?Y RISK IS AS ,I SAY1 & ,I %ALL TELL !E :5CE ,I HAD MY TALE1 S9CE ,I LOVE !E = ?Y K9DNESS TO ME1 & ?Y MANL9ESS4  ,IT WAS TOLD ME YE/]-EVE BY A WOMAN :O IS 9 ! V]Y PRIVITY ( ! ,LADY ( ,UTT]BOL1 & IS WELL ) ! ,LORD ALSO3 & IT JUMPE? ) M9E [N ?\<T ON ! MATT]2 SO ,I BID !E BEW>E3 = :AT IS 9 ME TO GRIEVE W\LD BE SORE GRIEV$ W]T ?\ CA/ AWAY40  

0,WELL10 SAID ,RALPH1 0LET US SIT D[N H]E ON ! BANK & !N TELL ME MORE2 BUT GO ON ) ?9E ANGL+ ! :ILE1 LE/ ANY %\LD SEE US40  

,SO !Y SAT D[N1 & ,R$HEAD DID AS ,RALPH BADE2 & HE SAID3 0,LORD1 ,I HAVE BIDD5 !E TO FLEE2 BUT ?IS IS AN ILL L& TO FLEE FROM1 & 9DE$ !RE IS BUT ONE PASS :]EBY YE MAY WELL GET AWAY FROM ?IS COMPANY BETWIXT ?IS & ,UTT]BOL2 & WE %ALL 5CAMP H>D BY IT ON ! SECOND DAY ( \R F>+ H5CE4 ,YET ,I MU/ TELL !E ?AT IT IS NO ROAD = A DA/>D2 = IT LEADE? ?R\< ! =E/ UP 9TO ! M\NTA9S3  YET SU* AS IT IS1 = A MAN BOLD & /RONG LIKE !E1 ,I BID !E TAKE IT3 & ,I CAN SEE TO IT ?AT LEAV+ ?IS COMPANY %ALL BE EASY TO !E3 ONLY ?\ MU/ MAKE UP ?Y M9D SPE$ILY1 S9CE ! TIME DRAWS SO NI<1 & :5 ?\ >T COME TO ,UTT]BOL ) ALL ?IS R\T1 & ! H\SE FULL1 & SOME ONE OR O!R DOGG+ EA* FOOT/EP ( ?9E1 FLEE+ WILL BE ANO!R MATT]4  ,N[ ?US IT IS3 ON ?AT SAME SECOND NI<T1 NOT ONLY IS ! WOOD AT H& TO COV] !E1 BUT ,I %ALL BE *IEF W>D] ( ! SIDE ( ! CAMP :]E ?\ LODGE/1 SO ?AT ,I CAN PUT !E ON ! ROAD3 & IF ,I W]E BETT] WOR?1 ,I W\LD SAY1 TAKE ME ) !E1 BUT AS IT IS1 ,I WILL NOT BURD5 !E ) ?AT PRAY]40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,I HAVE HAD ONE GUIDE 9 ?IS C\NTRY-SIDE & HE BEWRAY$ ME4  ,?IS IS A MATT] ( LIFE & DEA?1 SO ,I WILL SPEAK \T & SAY H[ AM ,I TO KN[ BUT ?AT ?\ ALSO >T GO+ AB\T TO BEWRAY ME80  

,R$HEAD LEPT UP TO HIS FEET1 & RO>$ \T3  0,:AT %ALL ,I SAY8 :AT %ALL ,I SAY8  ,BY ! S\L ( MY FA!R ,I AM NOT BEWRAY+ !E4 ,MAY ALL ! CURSES ( ,UTT]BOL BE SEV5FOLD HEAVI] ON ME IF ,I AM ?Y TRAITOR & DA/>D40  

0,S(TLY LAD1 S(TLY10 SAID ,RALPH1 0LE/ SOME ONE %\LD HE> !E4 ,CONT5T !E1 ,I MU/ NE$S BELIEVE !E IF ?\ MAKE/ SO MU* NOISE AB\T IT40  

,!N ,R$HEAD SAT HIM D[N AGA91 & = ALL ?AT HE WAS SO R\< & /URDY A C>LE HE FELL A-WEEP+4  

0,NAY1 NAY10 SAID ,RALPH1 0?IS IS WORSE 9 ALL WISE ?AN ! O!R NOISE4  ,I BELIEVE !E AS WELL AS A MAN CAN :O IS DEAL+ ) ONE :O IS NOT HIS CLOSE FRI5D1 & :O !RE=E SP>E? TRU? TO HIS FRI5D BECAUSE ( MANY YE>S USE & WONT4 ,COME TO ?YSELF AGA9 & LET US LOOK AT ?IS MATT] SQU>E 9 ! FACE1 & SPE$ILY TOO1 LE/ SOME UNFRI5D OR BUSYBODY COME ON US4 ,!RE N[6  ,N[1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE DO/ ?\ KN[ :Y ,I AM COME 9TO ?IS P]IL\S & TYRANN\S L&80  

,SAID ,R$HEAD3  0,I HAVE HE>D IT SAID ?AT ?\ >T ON ! QUE/ ( ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D40  

0,& ?AT IS BUT ! SOO?10 SAID ,RALPH4  0,WELL !N10 QUO? ,R$HEAD1 0!RE IS ! GREAT] CAUSE = ?Y FLEE+ AT ! TIME & 9 ! MANN] ,I HAVE BIDD5 !E4  ,= !RE IS A C]TA9 SAGE :O DWELLE? 9 ! WILDWOOD BETWIXT ?AT PLACE & ! ,GREAT ,M\NTA9S1 & HE HA? SO MU* LORE CONC]N+ ! ,M\NTA9S1 YEA1 & ! ,WELL ITSELF1 ?AT IF HE WILL TELL !E :AT HE CAN TELL1 ?\ >T 9 A FAIR WAY TO 5D ?Y QUE/ HAPPILY4 ,:AT SAYE/ ?\ !N80  

,SAID ,RALPH1 0,I SAY ?AT ! ,SAGE IS GOOD IF ,I MAY F9D HIM4 ,BUT !RE IS ANO!R CAUSE :Y ,I HAVE COME HI!R FROM ,GOLDBURG4 0,:AT IS ?AT80 SAID ,R$HEAD4  0,?IS10 SAID ,RALPH1 0TO COME TO ,UTT]BOL40 0,HEAV5 HELP US60 QUO? ,R$HEAD1 0& :]E=E80  

,RALPH SAID3  0,BELIKE IT IS NEI!R PRUD5T NOR WISE TO TELL !E1 BUT ,I DO V]ILY TRU/ !E2 SO HE>K56  ,I GO TO ,UTT]BOL TO DELIV] A FRI5D FROM ,UTT]BOL2 & ?IS FRI5D IS A WOMAN--HOLD A M9UTE-- & ?IS WOMAN1 AS ,I BELIEVE1 HA? BE5 ( LATE BR\<T TO ,UTT]BOL1 HAV+ BE5 TAK5 \T ( ! H&S ( ONE ( ! M5 ( ! M\NTA9S ?AT LIE BEYOND ,*EAP+ ,KN[E40  

,R$HEAD />$ A/ONI%$1 & KEPT SIL5CE A:ILE2 !N HE SAID3  0,N[ ALL ! MORE ,I SAY1 FLEE6 FLEE6 FLEE6 ,D\BTLESS ! WOMAN IS !RE1 :OM ?\ SEEKE/2 = IT W\LD TAKE NONE LESS FAIR & NOBLE ?AN ?AT NEW-COME ?RALL TO DRAW TO H] ONE SO FAIR & NOBLE AS ?\ >T4  ,BUT :AT AVAILE? IT8 ,IF ?\ GO TO ,UTT]BOL ?\ WILT DE/ROY BO? H] & !E4 ,= KN[1 ?AT WE CAN ALL SEE ?AT ! ,LORD HA? SET HIS LOVE ON ?IS DAMSEL2 & :AT BETT] CAN BETIDE1 IF ?\ COME TO ,UTT]BOL1 BUT ?AT ! ,LORD %ALL AT ONCE SEE ?AT !RE IS LOVE BETWIXT Y\ TWO1 & !N !RE WILL BE AN 5D ( ! /ORY40  

0,H[ SO80 QUO? ,RALPH4  ,SAID ,R$HEAD3  0,AT ,UTT]BOL ALL DO ! WILL ( ! ,LORD ( ,UTT]BOL1 & HE IS SO LU/FUL & CRUEL1 & SO FALSE )AL1 ?AT HIS WILL %ALL BE TO TORM5T ! DAMSEL TO DEA?1 & TO GELD & MAIM !E2 SO ?AT NONE H]EAFT] %ALL KN[ H[ GOODLY & GALLANT ?\ HA/ BE540  

0,R$HEAD10 QUO? ,RALPH MU* MOV$1 0?\< ?\ >T 9 NO KNI<TLY S]VICE1 ?\ MAY/ UND]/& ?AT IT IS GOOD = A FRI5D TO DIE ) A FRI5D40  

0,YEA1 =SOO?10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0,IF HE MAY DO NO MORE TO HELP ?AN ?AT6 ,W\LD/ ?\ NOT HELP ! DAMSEL8  ,N[ :5 ?\ COME/ BACK FROM ! QUE/ ( ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D1 ?\ WILT BE TOO MI<TY & GLORI\S = ! ,LORD ( ,UTT]BOL TO ?RU/ !E ASIDE LIKE TO AN OV] EAG] DOG2 & ?\ MAY/ HELP H] !N4  ,BUT N[ ,I SAY TO !E1 & SWE> TO !E1 ?AT ?REE DAYS AFT] ?\ HA/ MET ?Y BELOV$ 9 ,UTT]BOL %E WILL BE DEAD4 ,I W\LD ?AT ?\ C\LD/ ASK SOMEONE ELSE NE>] TO ! ,LORD ?AN ,I HAVE BE54  ,! TALE W\LD BE ! SAME AS M9E40  

,N[ SOO?LY TO SAY IT1 ?IS WAS EV5 :AT ,RALPH HAD FE>$ W\LD BE1 & HE C\LD SC>CE D\BT ,R$HEAD'S WORD4  ,SO HE SAT !RE POND]+ ! MATT] A GOOD :ILE1 & AT LA/ HE SAID3 0,MY FRI5D1 ,I WILL TRU/ !E ) ANO!R ?+2 ,I HAVE A M9D TO FLEE TO ! WILDWOOD1 & YET COME TO ,UTT]BOL = ! DAMSEL'S DELIV]ANCE40 0,YEA10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0& H[ WILT ?\ WORK 9 ! MATT]80 ,SAID ,RALPH2 0,H[ W\LD IT BE IF ,I CAME HI!R 9 O!R GUISE ?AN M9E [N1 SO ?AT ,I %\LD NOT BE KN[N EI!R BY ! DAMSEL OR H] TYRANTS80  

,SAID ,R$HEAD3  0,!RE W]E P]IL 9 ?AT2 YET HOPE ALSO4 ,YEA1 & 9 ONE WAY ?\ MI<TE/ DO IT2 TO WIT1 IF ?\ W]T TO F9D ?AT ,SAGE1 & TELL HIM ?Y TALE3  IF HE BE ( GOOD WILL TO !E1 HE MI<T !N *ANGE NOT ?Y GE> ONLY1 BUT ?Y SK9 ALSO2 = HE HA? EXCE$+ GREAT LORE40  

0,WELL10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,?\ MAY/ LOOK UPON IT AS C]TA9 ?AT ON ?AT A=ESAID NI<T1 ,I WILL DO MY BE/ TO %AKE (F ?IS COMPANY ( TYRANT & ?RALLS1 UNLESS ,I HE> FRE% TID+S1 SO ?AT ,I MU/ NE$S *ANGE MY PURPOSE4 ,BUT ,I WILL ASK !E TO GIVE ME SOME TOK5 ?AT ALL HOLDS TOGE!R SOME LITTLE TIME BE=EH&40  ,QUO? ,R$HEAD3  0,EV5 SO %ALL IT BE2 ?\ %ALT SEE ME AT LATE/ ON ! EVE ( ! NI<T ( ?Y DEP>TURE2 BUT ON ! NI<T BE=E ?AT IF IT BE ANYWISE POSSIBLE40  

0,N[ WILL ,I GO AWAY FROM !E10 SAID ,RALPH1 0& ,I ?ANK !E HE>TILY = ?9E HELP1 & DEEM !E MY FRI5D4  ,& IF ?\ ?9K BETT] ( FLEE+ ) ME1 ?\ WILT GLADD5 ME ! MORE40 ,R$HEAD %OOK HIS HEAD BUT SPAKE NOT1 & ,RALPH W5T HIS WAYS D[N ! DALE4  

,*,A,P,T,] #c#i3 ,! ,LORD ( ,UTT]BOL ,MAKES ,RALPH A ,FREE ,MAN  

,HE W5T TO & FRO ?AT DAY & ! NEXT1 & NONE M$DL$ ) HIM2 ) ,R$HEAD HE SPAKE NOT AGA9 ?OSE DAYS1 BUT HAD TALK ) ,OTT] & ,DAVID1 :O W]E BLI! 5\< ) HIM4  ,AGA?A HE SAW NOT AT ALL2 NOR ! ,LADY1 & /ILL DEEM$ ?AT ! :ITE-SK9N$ WOMAN :OM HE HAD SE5 SITT+ BY ! ,LORD AFT] ! TILT+ WAS ! ,QUE54  

,AS = ! ,LADY %E ABODE 9 H] PAVILION1 & :ILES LAY 9 A HEAP ON ! FLOOR WEEP+1 OR DULL & BL9D ) GRIEF2 :ILES %E WALK$ UP & D[N MAD WRO? ) :OMSOEV] CAME 9 H] WAY1 EV5 TO ! DEAL+ \T ( /RIPES & BL[S TO H] WOM54  

,BUT ON ! EVE BE=E ! DAY ( DEP>TURE ,AGA?A CAME 9TO H]1 & *ID H]1 & BADE H] BE M]RY3  0,I HAVE SE5 ! ,LORD & TOLD HIM :AT ,I W\LD1 & F\ND IT NO H>D MATT] TO GET HIM TO YEASAY \R PLOT1 :I* W]E H>D TO C>RY \T )\T HIS GOODWILL4 ,)AL ! SE$ ?AT ,I HAVE S[$ TWO DAYS OR MORE AGO IS BE>+ FRUIT2 SO ?AT ?\ MAY/ LOOK TO IT ?AT :ATSOEV] PLI<T WE MAY BE 91 WE %ALL F9D A DELIV]]40  

0,I WOT NOT ?Y MEAN+10 QUO? ! ,LADY1 0BUT ,I DEEM ?\ WILT N[ TELL ME :AT ?\ >T PLANN+1 & GIVE ME SOME HOPE1 LE/ ,I LAY H&S ON MYSELF40  

,!N ,AGA?A TOLD H] )\T T>RY+ :AT %E WAS AB\T DO+ = H]1 ! TALE ( :I* WILL BE SE5 H]EAFT]2 & :5 %E HAD DONE1 ! ,LADY M5D$ H] *E]1 & BADE BR+ MEAT & DR9K1 & WAS ONCE MORE LIKE A GREAT & PR\D ,LADY4  

,ON ! MORN ( DEP>TURE1 :5 ,RALPH >OSE1 ,DAVID CAME TO HIM & SAID3 0,MY ,LORD IS A/IR ALREADY1 & W\LD SEE !E = ?Y GOOD40 ,SO ,RALPH W5T ) ,DAVID1 :O BR\<T HIM TO ! ,T[]1 & !RE !Y F\ND ! ,LORD SITT+ 9 A W9D[1 & ,OTT] /OOD BE=E HIM1 & SOME O!RS ( HIS HI<E/ FOLK4  ,BUT BESIDE HIM SAT ,JOYCE1 & IT SEEM$ ?AT HE ?\<T IT NAU<T BUT GOOD TO HOLD H] H& & PLAY ) ! F+]S !RE(1 ?\< ALL ?OSE GREAT M5 W]E BY2 & ,RALPH HAD NO ?\<T ( H] BUT ?AT %E WAS ! ,QUE54  

,SO ,RALPH MADE OBEISANCE TO ! ,LORD & /OOD AWAIT+ HIS WORD2 & ! ,LORD SAID3  0,WE HAVE BE5 ?9K+ ( !E1 Y\NG MAN1 & HAVE DEEM$ ?Y LOT TO BE SOME:AT ( ! H>DE/1 IF ?\ MU/ NE$S BE A ?RALL1 S9CE ?\ >T BO? Y\NG & WELL-BORN1 & SO GOOD A MAN ( ?9E H&S4  ,N[1 WILT ?\ BE \R MAN AT ,UTT]BOL80  

,RALPH DELAY$ HIS ANSW] A SPACE & LOOK$ AT ,OTT]1 :O SEEM$ TO HIM TO FRAME A ,YEA ) HIS LIPS1 AS :O %\LD SAY1 TAKE IT4  ,SO HE SAID3 0,LORD1 ?\ >T GOOD TO ME1 YET MAY/ ?\ BE BETT] IF ?\ WILT40  

0,YEA1 MAN60 SAID ! ,LORD KNITT+ HIS BR[S2 0,:AT %ALL IT BE8 SAY ?Y SAY1 & BE DONE ) IT40  

0,LORD10 SAID ,RALPH1 0,I PRAY !E TO GIVE ME MY *OICE1 :E!R ,I %ALL GO ) !E TO ,UTT]BOL OR =BE> GO+80  

0,:Y1 LO Y\60 SAID ! ,LORD TE/ILY1 & SOME:AT S\RLY2 0?\ HA/ ! *OICE4  ,HAVE ,I NOT TOLD !E ?AT ?\ >T FREE80 ,!N ,RALPH KNELT BE=E HIM1 & SAID3  0,LORD1 ,I ?ANK !E FROM A FULL HE>T1 9 ?AT ?\ WILT SUFF] ME TO DEP>T ON M9E ]R&1 = IT IS A GREAT ONE40  ,! SC[L DEEP5$ ON ! ,LORD'S FACE1 & HE TURN$ AWAY FROM ,RALPH1 & SAID PRES5TLY3 0,OTT] TAKE ! ,KNI<T AWAY & LET HIM HAVE ALL HIS >MOR & WEAPONS & A RI<T GOOD HORSE2 & !N LET HIM DO AS HE WILL1 EI!R RIDE ) US1 OR DEP>T IF HE WILL1 & :I!R HE WILL4 ,& IF HE MU/ NE$S RIDE 9TO ! DES]T1 & CA/ HIMSELF AWAY 9 ! M\NTA9S1 SO BE IT4  ,BUT :ATEV] HE HA? A M9D TO1 LET NONE H9D] HIM1 BUT FUR!R HIM RA!R2 HE>E/ ?\8 TAKE HIM ) !E40  

,!N WAS ,RALPH OV]FL[+ ) ?ANKS1 BUT ! ,LORD HE$$ HIM NAU<T1 BUT LOOK$ ASKANCE AT HIM & S\RLY4  ,& HE ROSE UP )AL1 & L$ ! DAMSEL BY ! H& 9TO ANO!R *AMB]2 & %E M9C$ 9 H] GAIT & LEAN$ OV] TO ! ,LORD & SPAKE S(TLY 9 HIS E> & LAU<$1 & HE LAU<$ 9 HIS TURN & TOY$ ) H] NECK & %\LD]S4  

,BUT ! GREAT M5 TURN$ & W5T !IR WAYS FROM ! ,T[]1 & ,RALPH W5T ) ,OTT] & WAS FULL ( GLEE1 & AS M]RY AS A BIRD4  ,BUT ,OTT] LOOK$ ON HIM1 & SAID GRUFFLY3 0,YEA N[1 ?\ >T LIKE A SONG-BIRD BUT NEWLY LET \T ( HIS CAGE4 ,BUT ,I CAN SEE ! /R+ :I* IS TI$ TO ?Y LEG1 ?\< ?\ FEELE/ IT NOT40  

0,:Y1 :AT N[80 QUO? ,RALPH1 MAK+ AS ?\< HE W]E A/ONI%$4 0,HE>K510 SAID ,OTT]3  0!RE IS NONE NI< US1 SO ,I WILL SPEAK /RAI<T \T2 = ,I LOVE !E S9CE ! JU/+ :5 WE TRI$ \R MI<T TOGE!R4 ,IF ?\ DEEME/ ?AT ?\ >T V]ILY FREE1 RIDE (F ON ! BACKW>D ROAD :5 WE GO =W>D2 ,I W>RANT ME ?\ %ALT PRES5TLY MEET ) AN ADV5TURE1 & BE BR\<T 9 A CAPTIVE = ! SECOND TIME40 0,H[ !N10 SAID ,RALPH1 0HA? NOT ! ,LORD GOOD WILL T[>D ME80  

,SAID ,OTT]3  0,I SAY NOT ?AT HE IS N[ M9D$ TO DO !E A MIS*IEF = CRUELTY'S SAKE2 BUT HE IS M9D$ TO GET :AT HE CAN \T ( !E4 ,IF HE USE !E NOT = ! PLEASUR+ ( HIS WIFE 7SO LONG AS H] PLEASURE 9 !E LA/E?7 HE WILL V]ILY USE !E = SOME:AT ELSE4 ,& TO SPEAK PLA9LY1 ,I N[ DEEM ?AT HE WILL MAKE !E MY MATE1 TO USE ) ME1 OR AGA9/ ME AS OCCASION MAY S]VE2 SO ?\ %ALT BE ANO!R CAPTA9 ( HIS HO/40  ,HE LAU<$ )AL1 & SAID AGA93 0,BUT IF ?\ BE NOT W>Y1 ?\ WILT TUMBLE (F ?AT GIDDY HEI<T1 & F9D ?YSELF A ?RALL ONCE MORE1 & MAYBE A GELD+ TO BOOT40 ,N[ WAX$ ,RALPH ANGRY & =GAT HIS PRUD5CE1 & SAID3 0,YEA1 BUT H[ %ALL HE USE ME :5 ,I AM \T ( REA* ( HIS H&80 0,OHO1 Y\NG MAN10 SAID ,OTT]1 0:I!R AWAY !N1 TO BE \T ( HIS REA*80  

0,:Y10 QUO? ,RALPH /ILL ANGRILY1 0IS ?Y ,LORD MA/] ( ALL ! WORLD80  0,NAY10 SAID ! CAPTA91 0BUT ( A PIECE !RE (4 ,9 %ORT1 BETWIXT ,UTT]BOL & ,GOLDBURG1 & ,UTT]BOL & ! M\NTA9S1 & ,UTT]BOL & AN HUNDR$ MILES NOR?1 & AN HUNDR$ MILES S\?1 !RE IS NO PLACE :]E ?\ CAN/ LIVE1 NO PLACE SAVE ! H[L+ WILD]NESS1 & SC>CELY !RE EI!R1 :]E HE MAY NOT LAY H& ON !E IF HE DO BUT :I/LE4  ,:AT1 MAN6 BE NOT D[NHE>T$6 COME ) US TO ,UTT]BOL1 S9CE ?\ NE$S MU/4 ,BE WISE1 & !N ! ,LORD %ALL HAVE NO OCCASION AGA9/ !E2 ABOVE ALL1 BEW>E ( CROSS+ HIM 9 ANY MATT] ( A WOMAN4 ,!N :O KN[S0 7& H]E HE SUNK HIS VOICE WELL NI< TO A :ISP]7 0BUT ?\ & ,I TOGE!R MAY RULE 9 ,UTT]BOL & MAKE BETT] DAYS !RE40  

,RALPH WAS WAX5 MA/] ( HIMSELF BY N[1 & WAS GOTT5 W>Y 9DE$1 SO HE MADE AS IF HE LIK$ ,OTT]'S C\NSEL WELL1 & BECAME EXCE$+ GAY2 = 9DE$ ! HE>T )9 HIM WAS V]ILY GLAD AT ! ?\<T ( HIS ESCAP+ FROM ?RALLDOM2 = MORE ?AN EV] N[ HE WAS FA/ 9 HIS M9D TO FLEE AT ! TIME APPO9T$ BY ,R$HEAD4  

,SO ,OTT] SAID3  0,WELL1 Y\NGL+1 ,I AM GLAD ?AT ?\ TAKE/ IT ?US1 = ,I DEEM ?AT IF ?\ W]T TO SEEK TO DEP>T1 ! ,LORD W\LD MAKE IT AN OCCASION AGA9/ !E40  

0,SU* AN OCCASION %ALL HE NOT HAVE1 FELL[ 9 >MS10 QUO? ,RALPH4 0,BUT TELL ME1 WE RIDE PRES5TLY1 & ,I SUPPOSE >E B\ND = ,UTT]NESS BY ! %ORTE/ ROAD80  0,YEA10 SAID ,OTT]1 0& ANON WE %ALL COME TO ! GREAT =E/ :I* LIE? ALONG \R ROAD ALL ! WAY TO ,UTT]NESS & BEYOND IT2 = ! T[N IS1 AS IT W]E1 AN ISL& 9 ! SEA ( WOODL& :I* COV]S ALL1 RI<T UP TO ! FEET ( ! ,GREAT ,M\NTA9S1 & DOES :AT IT MAY TO CLIMB !M :]ESO ! GREAT WALL OR ITS BUTTRESSES >E ANYWISE BROK5 D[N T[>D \R C\NTRY2 BUT ! 5D ( IT LIE? ALONG \R ROAD1 AS ,I SAID1 & WE DO BUT SKIRT IT4 ,A WOEFUL WOOD IT IS1 & SAVE = ! HUNT+ ( ! BEA/S1 :I* BE !RE 9 GREAT PL5TY1 ) WOLVES & BE>S1 YEA1 & LIONS TO BOOT1 :I* COME D[N FROM ! M\NTA9S1 !RE IS NO GA9 9 IT4 ,NO GA91 ?\< =SOO? !Y SAY ?AT SOME HAVE F\ND IT GA9FUL40  

0,H[ SO80 SAID ,RALPH4  ,SAID ,OTT]3  0,?AT WAY LIE? ! WAY TO ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D1 IF ONE MI<T F9D IT4 ,IF AT ANY TIME WE W]E CLE> ( ,UTT]BOL1 ,I HAVE A M9D = ! ADV5TURE ALONG ) !E1 LAD1 & SO ,I DEEM HA/ ?\ FROM ALL ! QUE/IONS ?\ HA/ PUT TO ME !REAB\T40  

,RALPH MA/]$ HIMSELF SO ?AT HIS FACE *ANG$ NOT1 & HE SAID3 0,WELL1 ,CAPTA91 ?AT MAY COME TO PASS2 BUT TELL ME1 >E !RE ANY TOK5S KN[N :]EBY A MAN %ALL KN[ ?AT HE IS ON ! RI<T PA? TO ! ,WELL80  

0,! REPORT ( FOLK GOE?10 SAID ,OTT]1 0CONC]N+ ONE TOK51 :]E IS ! ROAD & ! PASS ?R\< ! ,GREAT ,M\NTA9S1 TO WIT1 ?AT ON ! BLACK ROCK !REBY IS C>V5 ! IMAGE ( A ,FI<T+ ,MAN1 OR MON/R\S GIANT1 ( ! DAYS LONG GONE BY4 ,( O!R SIGNS ,I CAN TELL !E NAU<T2 & FEW ( M5 >E ALIVE ?AT CAN4  ,BUT !RE IS A ,SAGE DWELLE? 9 ! WOOD UND] ! M\NTA9S TO :OM FOLK SEEK = HIS DIV]SE LORE2 & HE1 IF HE WILL1 SAY M51 CAN SET =? ALL ! WAY1 & ITS P]ILS1 & H[ TO ESCAPE !M4  ,WELL1 KNI<T1 :5 ! TIME COMES1 ?\ & ,I WILL GO F9D HIM TOGE!R1 = HE AT LEA/ IS NOT H>D TO F9D1 & IF HE BE GRACI\S TO US1 !N WILL WE ON \R QUE/4 ,BUT AS N[1 SEE YE1 !Y HAVE /RUCK \R T5TS & ! ,QUE5'S PAVILION ALSO2 SO TO HORSE1 IS ! WORD40  

0,YEA10 QUO? ,RALPH1 LOOK+ CURI\SLY T[>D ! PLACE :]E ! ,QUE5'S PAVILION HAD /OOD2 0IS NOT YOND] ! ,QUE5'S LITT] TAK+ ! ROAD80 0,YEA1 SURELY10 SAID ,OTT]4  

0,!N ! LITT] WILL BE EMPTY10 SAID ,RALPH4  0,MAYBE1 OR MAYBE NOT10 SAID ,OTT]2 0BUT N[ ,I MU/ GET ME GONE HA/ILY TO MY FOLK2 D\BTLESS WE %ALL MEET UPON ! ROAD TO ,UTT]BOL40  

,SO HE TURN$ & W5T HIS WAYS2 & ,RALPH ALSO RAN TO HIS HORSE1 :]EBY WAS ,DAVID ALREADY 9 ! SADDLE1 & SO M\NT$1 & ! :OLE R\T MOV$ SL[LY FROM \T ( ,VALE ,TURRIS1 ,RALPH GO+ EV] BY ,DAVID4 ,! COMPANY WAS N[ A GREAT ONE1 = MANY WA9S W]E JO9$ TO !M1 LAD5 ) MEAL1 & FLEECES1 & O!R H\SEHOLD /UFF1 & )AL !RE WAS A GREAT H]D ( NEAT1 & ( %EEP1 & ( GOATS1 :I* ! ,LORD'S M5 HAD BE5 GA!R+ 9 ! FRUITFUL C\NTRY !SE TWO DAYS2 BUT ! ,LORD WAS T>RY+ /ILL 9 ! T[]4  

,*,A,P,T,] #d3 ,!Y ,RIDE ,T[>D ,UTT]NESS ,FROM ,\T ( ,VALE ,TURRIS  

,SO !Y RODE BY A GOOD HI<WAY1 WELL BEAT51 PA/ ! ,T[] & OV] ! RIDGE ( ! VALLEY1 & CAME FULL UPON ! T]RIBLE SI<T ( ! ,GREAT ,M\NTA9S1 & ! SEA ( WOODL& LAY BE=E !M1 SWELL+ & FALL+1 & SWELL+ AGA91 TILL IT BROKE GRAY AGA9/ ! D>K BLUE ( ! M\NTA9 WALL4  ,!Y W5T AS ! WAY L$1 D[N HILL1 & :5 !Y W]E AT ! BOTTOM1 !NCE ALONG !IR HI<WAY P>T$ ! TILLAGE & F5C$ PA/URES FROM ! R\< $GES ( ! WOODL& LIKE AS A DIT* SUND]S FIELD FROM FIELD4 ,!Y HAD ! WILDWOOD EV] ON !IR RI<T H&1 & BUT A LITTLE WAY FROM :]E !Y RODE ! WOOD ?ICK5$ = ! MORE P>T 9TO D>K & CLOSE ?ICKET1 ! TREES :]E( W]E SO TALL ?AT !Y HID ! OV]%AD[+ M\NTA9S :5SO !Y RODE ! BOTTOMS1 ?\< :5 ! WAY M\NT$ ON ! RIDGES1 & ! TREES GAVE BACK A LITTLE1 !Y HAD SI<T ( ! WOODL& & ! M\NTA9S4 ,ON ! O!R H& AT :ILES ! ?ICKET CAME CLOSE UP TO ! ROADSIDE4  

,N[ ,DAVID BIDDE? PRESS ON PA/ ! WA9S & ! DRIV5 BEA/S1 :I* W]E GO+ V]Y SL[LY4  ,SO DID !Y1 & AT LA/ W]E WELL NI< AT ! HEAD ( ! ,LORD'S COMPANY1 BUT :5 ,RALPH W\LD HAVE PRESS$ ON /ILL1 ,DAVID REFRA9$ HIM1 & SAID ?AT !Y MU/ BY NO MEANS \TGO ! ,QUE5'S PEOPLE1 OR EV5 M+LE ) !M2 SO !Y RODE ON S(TLY4 ,BUT AS ! AFT]NOON WAS DRAW+ T[>D EV5+ !Y HE>D GREAT NOISE ( HORNS BEH9D !M7 & ! S\ND ( HORSES GALLOP+4 ,!N ,DAVID DREW ,RALPH TO ! SIDE ( ! WAY1 & EV]YBODY AB\T1 BO? BE=E & BEH9D !M1 DREW UP 9 WISE AT ! WAYSIDE1 & OR EV] ,RALPH C\LD ASK ANY QUE/ION1 CAME A B& ( M5-AT->MS AT ! GALLOP L$ BY ,OTT]1 & AFT] !M ! ,LORD ON HIS BLACK /E$1 & BESIDE HIM ON A :ITE PALFREY ! WOMAN :OM ,RALPH HAD SE5 9 ! ,T[]1 & :OM HE HAD TAK5 = ! ,QUE51 H] LI<T RAIM5T /REAM+ \T FROM H]1 & H] YELL[ HAIR FLY+ LOOSE4 ,!Y PASS$ 9 A MOM5T ( TIME1 & !N ,DAVID & ,RALPH & ! RE/ RODE ON AFT] !M4  

,!N SAID ,RALPH3  0,! ,QUE5 RIDE? WELL & H>DILY40 0,YEA10 SAID ,DAVID1 SCREW+ HIS FACE 9TO A GR91 W\LD HE OR NO4 ,RALPH BEHELD HIM1 & IT CAME 9TO HIS M9D ?AT ?IS WAS NOT ! ,QUE5 :OM HE HAD LOOK$ ON :5 !Y FIR/ CAME 9TO ,VALE ,TURRIS1 & HE SAID3 0,:AT !N6 ?IS WOMAN IS NOT ! ,QUE580  

,DAVID SPAKE NOT = A :ILE1 & !N HE ANSW]$3 0,SIR ,KNI<T1 !RE BE MATT]S :]E( WE S]VANTS ( MY ,LORD SAY LITTLE OR NO?+1 & ?\ W]T BE/ TO DO ! LIKE40 ,& NO MORE W\LD HE SAY !REON4  

,*,A,P,T,] #d#a3 ,R$HEAD ,KEEPS ,TRY/  

,!Y RODE NOT ABOVE A DOZ5 MILES ?AT DAY1 & PIT*$ !IR T5TS & PAVILIONS 9 ! FAIR MEAD[S BY ! WAYSIDE LOOK+ 9TO ! ?ICK ( ! =E/4  ,!RE ?IS BETID TO TELL (1 ?AT :5 ,RALPH GOT (F HIS HORSE1 & ! HORSE-LADS W]E GA!R$ AB\T ! M5-AT->MS & HI< FOLK1 :O %\LD TAKE ,RALPH'S HORSE BUT ,R$HEAD1 :O MADE A SIGN TO HIM BY LIFT+ HIS EYEBR[S AS IF HE W]E ASK+ HIM SOME:AT2 & ,RALPH TOOK IT AS A QUE/ION AS TO :E!R HIS PURPOSE HELD TO FLEE ON ! MORR[ NI<T2 SO HE NODD$ A YEASAY1 JU/ SO MU* AS ,R$HEAD MI<T NOTE IT2 & NAU<T ELSE BEFELL BETWIXT !M4  

,:5 IT WAS B>ELY DAWN AFT] ?AT NI<T1 ,RALPH AWOKE ) ! S\ND ( GREAT /IR 9 ! CAMP1 & %\T+ ( M5 & L[+ & BLEAT+ ( BEA/S2 SO HE LOOK$ \T1 & SAW ?AT ! WA9S & ! FLOCKS & H]DS W]E BE+ GOT ON TO ! ROAD1 SO ?AT !Y MI<T MAKE GOOD WAY BE=E ! COMPANY ( ! CAMP TOOK ! ROAD4 ,BUT HE HE$$ IT LITTLE & W5T TO SLEEP AGA94  

,:5 IT WAS FULLY MORN+ HE >OSE1 & F\ND ?AT ! M5 W]E NOT HA/5+ !IR DEP>TURE1 BUT W]E RE/+ BY ! WOOD-SIDE & DISPORT+ !M AB\T ! MEAD[2 SO HE W&]$ AB\T AMONG ! M5-AT->MS & S]V+-M51 & CAME ACROSS ,R$HEAD & HAIL$ HIM2 & !RE WAS NO MAN V]Y NI< TO !M2 SO ,R$HEAD LOOK$ AB\T HIM W>ILY1 & !N SPAKE SWIFTLY & S(TLY3 0,FAIL NOT TO-NI<T6 FAIL NOT6  ,= YE/]DAY AGA9 WAS ,I TOLD BY ONE :O WOTTE? SURELY1 :AT ABIDE? !E AT ,UTT]BOL IF ?\ GO ?I!R4 ,I SAY IF ?\ FAIL1 ?\ %ALT REP5T BUT ONCE--ALL ?Y LIFE LONG TO WIT40  

,RALPH NODD$ HIS HEAD1 & SAID3  0,FE> NOT1 ,I WILL NOT FAIL !E40 ,& !RE) !Y TURN$ AWAY FROM EA* O!R LE/ !Y %\LD BE NOT$4  

,AB\T TWO H\RS BE=E NOON !Y GOT TO HORSE AGA91 &1 BE+ NO MORE 5CUMB]$ ) ! WA9S & ! BEA/S1 RODE AT A GOOD PACE4 ,AS ON ! DAY BE=E ! ROAD L$ !M ALONG ! $GE ( ! WILDWOOD1 & :ILES IT EV5 W5T CLOSE TO ! V]Y ?ICKET4 ,:ILES AGA9 !Y M\NT$ SOME:AT1 & LOOK$ D[N ON ! ?ICKET1 LEAGUES & LEAGUES !RE(1 :I* YET SEEM$ BUT A LITTLE SPACE BECAUSE ( ! HUG5ESS ( ! M\NTA9 WALL :I* BROOD$ OV] IT2 BUT (T5E/ ! =E/ HID ALL BUT ! NE> TREES4  

,?US !Y RODE SOME TW5TY MILES1 & MADE /AY AT SUNSET 9 A PLACE ?AT SEEM$ RA!R A CLE>+ ( ! WOOD ?AN A MEAD[2 = !Y HAD TREES ON !IR LEFT H& AT A FURLONG'S DI/ANCE1 AS WELL AS ON !IR RI<T AT A /ONE'S ?R[4  

,RALPH SAW NOT ,R$HEAD AS HE GOT (F HIS HORSE1 & ,DAVID ACCORD+ TO HIS WONT W5T ) HIM TO HIS T5T4  ,BUT AFT] !Y HAD SUPP$ TOGE!R1 & ,DAVID HAD MADE MU* ( ,RALPH1 & HAD DRANK MANY CUPS TO HIS HEAL?1 HE SAID TO HIM3 0,! NI<T IS YET Y\NG1 YEA1 BUT NEW-BORN2 YET MU/ ,I DEP>T FROM !E1 IF ,I MAY1 TO MEET A MAN :O WILL SELL ME A NOBLE HORSE GOOD *EAP2 & ,I MAY WELL LEAVE !E N[1 SEE+ ?AT ?\ HA/ BECOME A FREE MAN2 SO ,I BID !E GOODNI<T40  

,!RE) HE DEP>T$1 & WAS SC>CE GONE \T ]E ,R$HEAD COME? 91 & SAI? 9 HIS WONT$ R\< L\D VOICE3  0,H]E1 KNI<T1 H]E IS ! BRIDLE ?\ BADE/ ME GET M5D$2 WILL ! COBBL+ S]VE80 ,!N SEE+ NO ONE !RE1 HE FELL TO SPEAK+ S(T] & SAID3 0,I HE>D ! OLD PIMP CALL !E A FREE MAN E'5 N[3 ,I FE> ME ?AT ?\ >T NOT SO FREE AS HE W\LD HAVE !E ?9K4 ,ANYH[1 W]E ,I ?\1 ,I W\LD BE FRE] 9 TWO H\RS SPACE4 ,IS IT TO BE SO80  

0,YEA1 YEA10 SAID ,RALPH4  ,R$HEAD NODD$3  0,GOOD IS ?AT10 SAID HE2 0,I SAY 9 TWO H\RS' TIME ALL WILL BE QUIET1 & WE >E AS NE> ! ?ICKET AS MAY BE2 !RE IS NO MOON1 BUT ! NI<T IS FAIR & ! />S CLE>2 SO ALL ?AT ?\ HA/ TO DO IS TO WALK \T ( ?IS T5T1 & TURN AT ONCE TO ?Y RI<T H&3 COME \T ) ME N[ QUIETLY1 & ,I WILL %[ !E40  

,!Y W5T \T TOGE!R & ,R$HEAD SAID S(TLY3  0,LO ?\ ?AT DODD]$ OAK YOND]2 LIKE A PIECE ( A HAY-RICK IT LOOKS UND] ! />S2 IF ?\ SEE/ IT1 COME 9 AGA9 AT ONCE40  

,RALPH TURN$ & DREW ,R$HEAD 91 & SAID :5 !Y W]E 9 ! T5T AGA93 0,YEA1 ,I SAW IT3  :AT !N80  

,SAID ,R$HEAD3  0,I %ALL BE BEH9D IT ABID+ !E40 0,MU/ ,I GO AFOOT80 SAID ,RALPH1 0OR H[ %ALL ,I GET ME A HORSE80 0,I HAVE A HORSE = !E10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0NOT ?9E [N1 BUT A BETT] ONE YET1 ?AT HA? NOT BE5 BACK$ TO-DAY4 ,N[ GIVE ME A CUP ( W9E1 & LET ME GO40  

,RALPH FILL$ = HIM & TOOK A CUP HIMSELF1 & SAID3 0,I PL$GE !E1 FRI5D1 & WI% !E BETT] LUCK2 & ,I W\LD HAVE !E = MY FELL[ 9 ?IS QUE/40  

0,NAY10 SAID ,R$HEAD1 0IT MAY NOT BE3  ,I WILL NOT BURD5 ?Y LUCK ) MY ILL-LUCK444& MOREOV] ,I AM SEEK+ SOME?+ :I* ,I MAY GA9 AT ,UTT]BOL1 & IF ,I HAVE IT1 ,I MAY DO MY BE/ TO SAY GOOD-NI<T TO ?AT EVIL ABODE40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,RALPH1 0& ,I WI% !E WELL !RE940 ,SAID ,R$HEAD1 /AMM]+ SOME:AT2 0,IT IS EV5 ?AT WOMAN ( ! ,QUE5'S :]E( ,I TOLD !E4  ,& N[ ONE LA/ WORD1 S9CE ,I MU/ NOT BE OV] LONG 9 ?Y T5T1 LE/ SOME ONE COME UPON US4  ,BUT1 FAIR SIR1 IF ?Y M9D MISGIVE !E = ?IS TURN+ ASIDE FROM ,UTT]BOL2 ?\< IT IS NOT TO BE D\BT$ ?AT ! DAMSEL :OM ?\ SEEKE/ HA? BE5 !RE1 IT IS NOT ALL SO SURE ?AT ?\ W\LD/ HAVE F\ND H] !RE4 ,= ( LATE1 :AT ) MY ,LORD & MY ,LADY BE+ BO? AWAY1 ! PLACE HA? BE5 SCANT ( FOLK2 & NOT ONLY IS ! SAID DAMSEL WISE & W>Y1 BUT !RE BE O!RS :O HAVE SE5 H] BESIDES MY ,LORD1 & :O SO HA? SE5 H] IS LIKE TO LOVE H]2 & SU* IS %E1 ?AT :OSO LOVE? H] IS LIKE TO DO H] WILL4 ,SO ,I BID !E 9 ALL CASE BE E>NE/ 9 ?Y QUE/2 & ?9K ?AT IF ?\ DIE ON ! ROAD ?Y DAMSEL W\LD HAVE DI$ = !E2 & IF ?\ DR9K ( ! ,WELL & COME BACK :OLE & SAFE1 ,I KN[ NOT :Y ?\ %\LDE/ NOT GO /RAI<T TO ,UTT]BOL & HAVE ! DAMSEL AWAY ) !E1 :OSOEV] GA9SAY IT4 ,= !Y 7IF !RE BE ANY SU*7 :O HAVE DRUNK ( ! ,WELL AT ! ,WORLD'S ,5D >E WELL LOOK$ TO 9 ?IS L&4 ,N[ ONE MORE WORD YET2 :5 ,I COME TO ,UTT]BOL1 IF ?Y DAMSEL BE !RE /ILL1 FE> NOT BUT ,I WILL HAVE SPEE* ( H]1 & TELL ( !E1 & :AT ?\ W]T LOOK+ TO1 & H[ ?\ DEEM$/ ( H]40  

,!RE) HE TURN$ & DEP>T$ HA/ILY4  

,BUT ,RALPH LEFT ALONE WAS SORELY MOV$ ) HOPE & FE>1 & A LONG+ ?AT GREW 9 HIM TO SEE ! DAMSEL4  ,= ?\< HE WAS FIRMLY SET ON DEP>TURE1 & ON SEEK+ ! SAGE A=ESAID1 YET HIS HE>T WAS DRAWN ?IS WAY & ?AT3 & IT CAME 9TO HIS M9D H[ ! DAMSEL W\LD F>E :5 ! EVIL ,LORD CAME HOME TO ,UTT]BOL2 & HE C\LD NOT *OOSE BUT MAKE /ORIES ( H] MEET+ ( ! TYRANT1 & H] FE> & GRIEF & %AME1 & ! DESPAIR ( H] HE>T4 ,SO ! M9UTES W5T SL[ TO HIM1 TILL HE %\LD BE 9 SOME NEW PLACE & DO+ SOME:AT T[>D BR++ AB\T ! DELIV]ANCE ( H] FROM ?RALLDOM1 & ! MEET+ ( HIM & H]4  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#g1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #ce -- ,ADD$4 

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