The Well at the World's End: A Tale

  CHAPTER 4

  A Feast in the Red Pavilion

  So in a while they went with him to the Tower, and there was woman'sraiment of the best gotten for Ursula, and afterwards at nightfall theywent to the feast in the Red Pavillion of Utterbol, which awhile agothe now-slain Lord of Utterbol had let make; and it was exceeding richwith broidery of pearl and gems: since forsooth gems and fair womenwere what the late lord had lusted for the most, and have them he wouldat the price of howsoever many tears and groans. But that pavilion wasyet in all wise as it was wont to be, saving that the Bull hadsupplanted the Bear upon the Castle-wall.

  Now the wayfarers were treated with all honour and were set upon thehigh-seat, Ralph upon the right-hand of the Lord, and Ursula upon hisleft, and the Sage of Swevenham out from her. But on Ralph's righthand was at first a void place, whereto after a while came Otter, theold Captain of the Guard. He came in hastily, and as though he had butjust taken his armour off: for his raiment was but such as themen-at-arm of that country were wont to wear under their war-gear, andwas somewhat stained and worn; whereas the other knights and lords werearrayed grandly in silks and fine cloth embroidered and begemmed.

  Otter was fain when he saw Ralph, and kissed and embraced him, andsaid: "Forsooth, I saw by thy face, lad, that the world would be softbefore thee; and now that I behold thee I know already that thou hastwon thy quest; and the Gods only know to what honour thou shalt attain."

  Ralph laughed for joy of him, and yet said soberly: "As to honour,meseems I covet little world's goods, save that it may be well with myfolk at home." Nevertheless as the words were out of his mouth histhought went back to the tall man whom he had first met at thechurchyard gate of Netherton, and it seemed to him that he wished histhriving, yea, and in a lesser way, he wished the same to Roger of theRope-walk, whereas he deemed that both of these, each in his own way,had been true to the lady whom he had lost.

  Then Otter fell a-talking to him of the change of days at Utterbol, andhow that it was the Lord's intent that a cheaping town should grow upin the Dale of the Tower, and that the wilderness beyond it should betilled and builded. "And," said he, "if this be done, and the new lordlive to see it, as he may, being but young of years, he may becomeexceedingly mighty, and if he hold on in the way whereas he now is, heshall be well-beloved also."

  So they spake of many things, and there was minstrelsy and diversejoyance, till at last the Lord of Utterbol stood up and said: "Nowbring in the Bull, that we may speak some words over him; for this is agreat feast." Ralph wondered what bull this might be whereof he spake;but the harps and fiddlers, and all instruments of music struck up agay and gallant tune, and presently there came into the hall four menrichly attired, who held up on spears a canopy of bawdekin, under whichwent a man-at-arms helmed, and clad in bright armour, who held in hishands a great golden cup fashioned like to a bull, and he bore it forthunto the dais, and gave it into the hands of the Lord. Thenstraightway all the noise ceased, and the glee and clatter of the hall,and there was dead silence. Then the Lord held the cup aloft and saidin a loud voice:

  "Hail, all ye folk! I swear by the Bull, and they that made him, thatin three years' time or less I will have purged all the lands ofUtterbol of all strong-thieves and cruel tyrants, be they big orlittle, till all be peace betwixt the mountains and the mark ofGoldburg; and the wilderness shall blossom like the rose. Or elseshall I die in the pain."

  Therewith he drank of the cup, and all men shouted. Then he sat himdown and bade hand the cup to Otter; and Otter took the cup and lookedinto the bowl and saw the wave of wine, and laughed and cried out: "Asfor me, what shall I swear but that I will follow the Bull throughthick and thin, through peace and unpeace, through grief and joy. Thisis my oath-swearing."

  And he drank mightily and sat down.

  Then turned the Lord to Ralph and said: "And thou who art my master,wilt thou not tell thy friends and the Gods what thou wilt do?"

  "No great matter, belike," said Ralph; "but if ye will it, I will speakout my mind thereon."

  "We will it," said the Lord.

  Then Ralph arose and took the cup and lifted it and spake: "This Iswear, that I will go home to my kindred, yet on the road will I notgainsay help to any that craveth it. So may all Hallows help me!"

  Therewith he drank: and Bull said: "This is well said, O happy man!But now that men have drunk well, do ye three and Otter come with meinto the Tower, whereas the chambers are dight for you, that I may makethe most of this good day wherein I have met thee again."

  So they went with him, and when they had sat down in the goodliestchamber of the Tower, and they had been served with wine and spices,the new Lord said to Ralph: "And now, my master, wilt thou not asksomewhat concerning me?" "Yea," said Ralph, "I will ask thee to tellthe tale of how thou camest into thy Lordship." Said the Lord, "Thisshall ye hear of me with Otter to help me out. Hearken!"