Yet was there naught of filth or famine, nor any
poverty or misery; and the people were merry-faced and well-liking,
and clad goodly after their fashion in white woollen cloth or frieze.
All the people of the town were come forth to meet them, for runners
had gone before them, and they stood on either side of the way
murmuring greetings, and with their heads bent low in reverence.
Thus rode Ralph and Ursula up to the door of the Temple,
or Mote-house, or Guest-house, for it was all these,
a house great, and as fair as they knew how to make it.
Before the door thereof were standing the elders of the Folk;
and when they drew rein, the eldest and most reverend of these
came forth and spake in a cheerful voice, yet solemnly:
"Welcome and thrice welcome to the Seekers after length
of days and happy times, and the loving-kindness of the Folks
of the Earth!"
Then all the elders gathered about them, and bade them light
down and be at rest amongst them, and they made much of them
and brought them into the Mote-house, where-in were both women
and men fair and stately, and the men took Ralph by the hand
and the women Ursula, and brought them into chambers where they
bathed them and did off their wayfaring raiment, and clad them
in white woollen gowns of web exceeding fine, and fragrant withal.
Then they crowned them with flowers, and led them back into
the hall, whereas now was much folk gathered, and they set them
down on a dais as though they had been kings, or rather gods;
and when they beheld them there so fair and lovely, they cried
out for joy of them, and bade them hail oft and oft.
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