That damsel of whom thou spakest that she was but thy friend,
and not thy love--O that I might be thy friend in
such-wise! But over clearly I see that it may not be so.
For thy mind looketh on thy deeds to come, that they shall
be shared by some other than me. Friend, it seemeth strange
and strange to me that I have come on thee so suddenly,
and loved thee so sorely, and that I must needs say farewell
to thee in so short a while. Farewell, farewell!"
Therewith she arose, and once more she took his hand in hers,
and led him to the door. And he was sorry and all amazed:
for he had not thought so much of her before, that he might see
that she loved him; and he thought but that she, being happy
and great, was kind to him who was hapless and homeless.
And he was bewildered by her words and sore ashamed that for all
his grief for her he had no speech, and scarce a look for her;
he knew not what to do or say.
So he left the Queen's House and the court thereof, as though
the pavement were growing red hot beneath his feet.
CHAPTER 30
Ralph Hath Hope of Tidings Concerning the Well at the World's End
Now he goes to Clement, and tells him that he deems he has no need
to abide their departure from Goldburg to say farewell and follow
his quest further afield; since it is clear that in Goldburg
he should have no more tidings. Clement laughed and said:
"Not so fast, Lord Ralph; thou mayst yet hear a word or two.
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