In Wulstead I see a valiant
man with sword by side and sallet on head, and with him sitteth a tall
man-at-arms grizzle-headed and red-bearded, big-boned and mighty;
they sit at the wine in a fair chamber, and a well-looking dame
serveth them; and there are weaponed men no few about the streets.
Wilt thou pass by friends, and old friends? Now ride on, Green Coats!
stride forth, Shepherds! staves on your shoulders, Wool-wards! and there
goes the host over the hills into Upmeads, and the Burg-devils will
have come from the Wood Debateable to find graves by the fair river.
And then do thy will, O Friend of the Well.'"
The carle took a breath, and then he said: "Lord, this is the say I was
charged with, and if thou understandest it, well; but if it be dark to thee,
I may make it clear if thou ask me aught."
Ralph pondered a while, and then he said: "Is it known
of others than thy spaewife that the Burgers be in Upmeads?"
"Nay, lord," said the carle, "and this also I say to thee,
that I deem what she said that they be not in Upmeads yet,
and but drawing thitherward, as I deem from the Wood Debateable."
Ralph arose from his seat and strode up and down the chamber a while;
then he went to bed, and stood over Ursula, who lay twixt sleeping
and waking, for she was weary; then he came back to the carle, and said
to him: "Good friend, I thank thee, and this is what I shall do:
when daylight is broad (and lo, the dawn beginning!) I shall gather my men,
and ride the shortest way, which thou shalt show me, to Bear Castle,
and there I shall give the token of the four fires which erewhile a good man
of the Shepherds bade me if I were in need.
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