Then Otter fell a-talking to him of the change of days at Utterbol, and how
that it was the Lord's intent that a cheaping town should grow up in the Dale
of the Tower, and that the wilderness beyond it should be tilled and builded.
"And," said he, "if this be done, and the new lord live to see it, as he may,
being but young of years, he may become exceedingly mighty, and if he hold
on in the way whereas he now is, he shall be well-beloved also."
So they spake of many things, and there was minstrelsy and diverse joyance,
till at last the Lord of Utterbol stood up and said: "Now bring in the Bull,
that we may speak some words over him; for this is a great feast."
Ralph wondered what bull this might be whereof he spake; but the harps
and fiddlers, and all instruments of music struck up a gay and gallant tune,
and presently there came into the hall four men richly attired, who held
up on spears a canopy of bawdekin, under which went a man-at-arms helmed,
and clad in bright armour, who held in his hands a great golden cup
fashioned like to a bull, and he bore it forth unto the dais, and gave
it into the hands of the Lord. Then straightway all the noise ceased,
and the glee and clatter of the hall, and there was dead silence.
Then the Lord held the cup aloft and said in a loud voice:
"Hail, all ye folk! I swear by the Bull, and they that made him,
that in three years' time or less I will have purged all the lands
of Utterbol of all strong-thieves and cruel tyrants, be they big
or little, till all be peace betwixt the mountains and the mark
of Goldburg; and the wilderness shall blossom like the rose.
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