Then spake the Sage:
"Here now will we rest, and by my will to-morrow also, that your beasts
may graze their fill of the sweet grass of these unwarded meadows.
which feedeth many a herd unowned of man, albeit they pay
a quit-rent to wild things that be mightier than they.
And now, children, we have passed over the mighty river that once
ran molten betwixt these mountains and the hills yonder to the west,
which we trod the other day; yet once more, if your hearts fail you,
there is yet time to turn back; and no harm shall befall you,
but I will be your fellow all the way home to Swevenham if ye will.
But if ye still crave the water of the Well at the World's End,
I will lead you over this green plain, and then go back
home to mine hermitage, and abide there till ye come to me,
or I die."
Ralph smiled and said: "Master, no such sorry story shall
I bear back to Upmeads, that after many sorrows borne,
and perils overcome, I came to the Gates of the Mountains,
and turned back for fear of that which I had not proved."
So spake he; but Ursula laughed and said: "Yea, then should I
deem thy friendship light if thou leftest me alone and unholpen
in the uttermost wilderness; and thy manhood light to turn back
from that which did not make a woman afraid."
Then the Sage looked kindly on them and said: "Yea, then is
the last word spoken, and the world may yet grow merrier to me.
Look you, some there be who may abuse the gifts of the Well
for evil errands, and some who may use it for good deeds;
but I am one who hath not dared to use it lest I should
abuse it, I being alone amongst weaklings and fools:
but now if ye come back, who knows but that I may fear no longer,
but use my life, and grow to be a mighty man.
Pages:
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498