But O, young man,
this I will say if I can. Thou fleddest from her and forgattest her.
I came to her and forgat all but her; yea, my very life I forgat."
Again he spoke, and his voice was weaker yet: "Kneel down by me,
or I may not tell thee what I would; my voice dieth before me."
Then Ralph knelt down by him, for he began to have a deeming of what he was,
and he put his face close to the dying man's, and said to him; "I am here,
what wouldst thou?"
Said the wild-man very feebly: "I did not much for thee time was;
how might I, when I loved her so sorely? But I did a little.
Believe it, and do so much for me that I may lie by her side
when I am dead, who never lay by her living. For into the cave
I durst go never."
Then Ralph knew him, that he was the tall champion whom he had
met first at the churchyard gate of Netherton; so he said:
"I know thee now, and I will promise to do thy will herein.
I am sorry that I have slain thee; forgive it me."
A mocking smile came into the dying man's eyes, and he spake whispering:
"Richard it was; not thou."
The smile spread over his face, he strove to turn more toward Ralph,
and said in a very faint whisper: "The last time!"
No more he said, but gave up the ghost presently. The Sage rose
up from his side and said: "Ye may now bury this man as he craved
of thee, for he is dead. Thus hath thy wish been accomplished;
for this was the great champion and duke of the men of the Dry Tree.
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