Give me that or nothing." The King scowled, but he spake:
"This is indeed a little gift of thee to take; yet to none else save
thee had I given it."
Therewith he spake to a man beside him and said: "Go thou,
set them free, and if any hurt hath befallen them thy life shall
answer for it. Is it enough, fair Sir, and have we thy goodwill?"
Ralph laughed for joy of his life and his might, and he answered:
"King, this is the token of my goodwill; fear naught of me."
And he turned to his men, and bade them bright forth the gift
of Goldburg and open it before the King; and they did so.
But when the King cast eyes on the wares his face was gladdened,
for he was a greedy wolf, and whoso had been close to his mouth
would have heard him mutter: "So mighty! yet so wealthy!"
But he thanked Ralph aloud and in smooth words. And Ralph made
obeisance to him again, and then turned and went his ways down
the hall, and was glad at heart that he had become so mighty a man,
for all fell back before him and looked on him with worship.
Howbeit he had looked on the King closely and wisely, and deemed
that he was both cruel and guileful, so that he rejoiced
that he had spoken naught of Ursula, and he was minded to keep
her within gates all the while they abode at Cheaping-Knowe.
When he came to the hostel he called his men-at-arms together and asked them
how far they would follow him, and with one voice they said all that they
would go with him whereso he would, so that it were not beyond reason.
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