"Now," said Morfinn, "the next thing to be said is that we are on
the road thereto: but the third thing again is this, lord, that though
few who seek it find it, yet we know that some have failed not of it,
besides that lord of Goldburg, of whom I know that thou hast heard.
Furthermore, there dwelleth a sage in the woods not right far from Utterbol,
a hermit living by himself; and folk seek to him for divers lore,
to be holpen by him in one way or other, and of him men say that he hath
so much lore concerning the road to the Well (whether he hath been
there himself they know not certainly), that if he will, he can put
anyone on the road so surely that he will not fail to come there,
but he be slain on the way, as I said to thee in Goldburg.
True it is that the said sage is chary of his lore, and if he think
any harm of the seeker, he will show him naught; but, fair sir,
thou art so valiant and so goodly, and as meseemeth so good a knight
per amours, that I deem it a certain thing that he will tell thee
the uttermost of his knowledge."
Now again waxed Ralph eager concerning his quest; for true it is
that since he had had that story of the damsel from the minstrel,
she had stood in the way before the Well at the World's End.
But now he said: "And canst thou bring me to the said sage, good minstrel?"
"Without doubt," quoth Morfinn, "when we are once safe at Utterbol.
From Utterbol ye may wend any road.
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