Farewell, gossip; but look to see me at Upmeads before many days
are past; for I know thee what thou art; and that the days will
presently find deeds for thee, and thou wilt be riding into peril,
and coming safe from out of it. Farewell!"
So he departed and rode to the House of St. Austin, and the folk
gathered so about him in the street that at the gate of the Priory
he had to turn about and speak to them; and he said: "Good people,
rejoice! there are no more foemen of Wulstead anigh you now;
and take this word of me, that I will see to it in time to come
that ye live in peace and quiet here."
Folk shouted for joy, and the fathers who were standing within
the gate heard his word and rejoiced, and some of them ran off
to tell King Peter that his son was come back victorious already;
so that by then he had dismounted at the Guest-house door,
lo! there was the King and his wife with him, and both they alboun
for departure. And when they saw him King Peter cried out:
"There is no need to say a word, my son; unless thou wouldst
tell the tale to the holy father Prior, who, as ye see,
has e'en now come out to us."
Said Ralph: "Father and mother, I pray your blessing, and also
the blessing of the father Prior here; and the tale is short enough:
that we have overthrown them and slain the more part, and the others
are now being driven like a herd of swine into their stronghold
of the Wood Debateable, where, forsooth, I shall be ere the world
is one month older.
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