And thou wert not worse than thy word, for when I came into that court again,
there were all the men-at-arms assembled, and the free carles,
and the thralls; and the men-at-arms raised me on a shield, set a crowned
helm on my head, and thrust a great sword into my hand, and hailed me
by the name of the Bull of Utterbol, Lord of the Waste and the Wildwood,
and the Mountain-side: and then thou, Otter, wert so simple as to kneel before
me and name thyself my man, and take the girding on of sword at my hand.
Then even as I was I went in to my Lady and told her the end of my tale,
and in three minutes she lay in my arms, and in three days in my bed as my
wedded wife. As to Agatha, when I had a little jeered her, I gave her rich
gifts and good lands, and freedom, to boot her for her many stripes.
And lo there, King's Son and Sweet Lady, the end of all my tale."
"Yea," quoth Otter, "saving this, that even already thou has
raised up Utterbol from Hell to Earth, and yet meseemeth thou
hast good-will to raise it higher."
Bull reddened at his word, and said: "Tush, man! praise the day
when the sun has set." Then he turned to Ralph, and said:
"Yet couldst thou at whiles put in a good word for me here and there
amongst the folks that thou shalt pass through on thy ways home,
I were fain to know that I had a well-speaking friend abroad."
"We shall do no less," said Ralph; and Ursula spake in like wise.
So they talked together merrily a while longer, till night began to grow old,
and then went to their chambers in all content and good-liking.
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