CHAPTER 19
Ralph Readeth in a Book Concerning the Well at the World's End
Fairly written was that book, with many pictures therein, the meaningof which Ralph knew not; but amongst them was the image of the fairwoman whom he had holpen at the want-ways of the wood, and but fourdays ago was that, yet it seemed long and long to him. The book toldnot much about the Well at the World's End, but much it told of acertain woman whom no man that saw her could forbear to love: of herit told that erewhile she dwelt lonely in the wildwood (though how shecame there was not said) and how a king's son found her there andbrought her to his father's kingdom and wedded her, whether others werelief or loth: and in a little while, when the fame of her had spread,he was put out of his kingdom and his father's house for the love ofher, because other kings and lords hankered after her; whereof befellong and grievous war which she abode not to the end, but sought to herold place in the wildwood; and how she found there another woman asorceress, who made her her thrall; and tormented her grievously withtoil and stripes. And how again there came a knight to that place whowas seeking the Well at the World's End, and bore her away with him;and how the said knight was slain on the way, and she was taken bytyrants and robbers of the folk: but these being entangled in her lovefought amongst themselves and she escaped, and went seeking that Well,and found it at the long last, and drank thereof, and throve everafter: and how she liveth yet, and is become the servant of the Well toentangle the seekers in her love and keep them from drinking thereof;because there was no man that beheld her, but anon he was the thrall ofher love, and might not pluck his heart away from her to do any of thedeeds whereby men thrive and win the praise of the people.
Ralph read on and on till the short night waned, and the wax-lightsfailed one after the other, and the windows of the hall grew grey anddaylight came, and the throstles burst out a-singing at once in thecastle pleasaunce, and the sun came up over the wood, and the sound ofmen-folk bestirring themselves a-field came to his ears through theopen windows; and at last he was done with the tale, and the carlinecame not near him though the sun had clomb high up the heavens. As forRalph, what he had read was sweet poison to him; for if before he wassomewhat tormented by love, now was his heart sick and sore with it.Though he knew not for certain whether this tale had to do with theLady of the Forest, and though he knew not if the Lady who should cometo the castle were even she, yet he needs must deem that so it was, andhis heart was weary with love, and his manhood seemed changed.