Yet before we go, I will at least tell thee this, that in my knowing
of these woods, there is no sorcery at all; for in the woods,
though not in these woods, was I bred; and here also I am at home,
as I may say."
Hand in hand then they went lightly through the hazel copse,
and soon was the wood thick about them, but, as before, the Lady led
unfalteringly through the thicket paths. Now Ralph spake and said:
"It is good that thou lead me whither thou wilt; but this I may say, that it
is clear to me that we are not on the way to the Castle of Abundance."
"Even so," said she; "indeed had I come to thee there, as I was minded,
I should presently have brought thee on the way which we are wending now,
or one nigh to it; and that is that which leadeth to Hampton under Scaur,
and the Fellowship of Champions who dwell on the rock."
Said Ralph: "It is well; yet will I tell thee the truth,
that a little sojourn in that fair house had liked me better.
Fain had I been to see thee sitting in thine ivory chair
in thy chamber of dais with the walls hung round with thee
woven in pictures--wilt thou not tell me in words the story
of those pictures? and also concerning the book which I read,
which was also of thee?"
"Ah," she said, "thou hast read in the book--well, I will tell
thee the story very soon, and that the more since there are
matters written wrong in the book." Therewith she hurried him on,
and her feet seemed never tired, though now, to say sooth,
he began to go somewhat heavily.
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