For that, say folk, was the tale of the winters
of the Fair Lady who erewhile began the building of the Burg, when she
was first wedded to the Forest Lord, who before that building had dwelt,
he and his fathers, in thatched halls of timber here and there
about the clearings of the wild-wood. But now, knight, if thou wilt,
thou mayest go on softly toward the Gate of the Burg, and if thou
wilt I will walk beside thy rein, which fellowship, as aforesaid,
shall be a gain to me."
Said Ralph: "I pray thee come with me, good fellow, and show me how
easiest to enter this stronghold." So, when Falcon was well breathed,
they went on, passing through goodly acres and wide meadows, with here
and there a homestead on them, and here and there a carle's cot.
Then came they to a thorp of the smallest on a rising ground, from the
further end of which they could see the walls and towers of the Burg.
Thereafter right up to the walls were no more houses or cornfields,
nought but reaches of green meadows plenteously stored with sheep and kine,
and with a little stream winding about them.
CHAPTER 12
Ralph Entereth Into the Burg of the Four Friths
When they came up to the wall they saw that it was well builded of
good ashlar, and so high that they might not see the roofs of the town
because of it; but there were tall towers on it, a many of them,
strong and white. The road led up straight to the master-gate
of the Burg, and there was a bailey before it strongly walled,
and manned with weaponed men, and a captain going about amongst them.
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