Yea, and we live in peace here for the most part;
for this thorp, which is called Bourton Abbas, is a land
of the Abbey of Higham; though it be the outermost of its lands
and the Abbot is a good lord and a defence against tyrants.
All is well with me if one thing were not."
"What is thy need then?" said Ralph, "if perchance I might amend it."
And as he looked on her he deemed her yet fairer than he had done at first.
But she stayed her weeping and sobbing and said: "Sir, I fear me that I
have lost a dear friend." "How then," said he, "why fearest thou,
and knowest not? doth thy friend lie sick between life and death?"
"O Sir," she said, "it is the Wood which is the evil and disease."
"What wood is that?" said he.
She said: "The Wood Perilous, that lieth betwixt us and the Burg
of the Four Friths, and all about the Burg. And, Sir, if ye
be minded to ride to the Burg to-day, do it not, for through
the wood must thou wend thereto; and ye are young and lovely.
Therefore take my rede, and abide till the Chapmen wend thither
from Higham, who ride many in company. For, look you, fair lord,
ye have asked of my grief, and this it is and nought else;
that my very earthly love and speech-friend rode five days
ago toward the Burg of the Four Friths all alone through
the Wood Perilous, and he has not come back, though we looked
to see him in three days' wearing: but his horse has come back,
and the reins and the saddle all bloody.
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