the wood beyond the world-第14章

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holdeth；　and　thou　knowest　well　on　whose　head　the　Lady's　wrath　would
fall；　and　that　would　be　neither　thine　nor　mine。〃

〃Thou　sayest　sooth；〃　said　Walter；　〃neither　is　treason　my　wont。〃

So　they　walked　on　silently　a　while；　and　then　Walter　said：　　〃But　how
if　the　Maiden　had　nay…said　thee；　what　hadst　thou　done　then？〃

〃By　the　heavens！〃　said　the　King's　Son　fiercely；　〃she　should　have
paid　for　her　nay…say；　then　would　I〃　　But　he　broke　off；　and　said
quietly；　yet　somewhat　doggedly：　　〃Why　talk　of　what　might　have　been？
She　gave　me　her　yea…say　pleasantly　and　sweetly。〃

Now　Walter　knew　that　the　man　lied；　so　he　held　his　peace　thereon；　but
presently　he　said：　　〃When　thou　art　free　wilt　thou　go　to　thine　own
land　again？〃

〃Yea；〃　said　the　King's　Son；　〃she　will　lead　me　thither。〃

〃And　wilt　thou　make　her　thy　lady　and　queen　when　thou　comest　to　thy
father's　land？〃　said　Walter。

The　King's　Son　knit　his　brow；　and　said：　　〃When　I　am　in　mine　own　land
I　may　do　with　her　what　I　will；　but　I　look　for　it　that　I　shall　do　no
otherwise　with　her　than　that　she　shall　be　well…content。〃

Then　the　talk　between　them　dropped；　and　the　King's　Son　turned　off
toward　the　wood；　singing　and　joyous；　but　Walter　went　soberly　toward
the　house。　　Forsooth　he　was　not　greatly　cast　down；　for　besides　that
he　knew　that　the　King's　Son　was　false；　he　deemed　that　under　this
double　tryst　lay　something　which　was　a…doing　in　his　own　behalf。　　Yet
was　he　eager　and　troubled；　if　not　down…hearted；　and　his　soul　was
cast　about　betwixt　hope　and　fear。



CHAPTER　XX：　　WALTER　IS　BIDDEN　TO　ANOTHER　TRYST



So　came　he　into　the　pillared　hall；　and　there　he　found　the　Lady
walking　to　and　fro　by　the　high…seat；　and　when　he　drew　nigh　she
turned　on　him；　and　said　in　a　voice　rather　eager　than　angry：　　〃What
hast　thou　done；　Squire？　　Why　art　thou　come　before　me？〃

He　was　abashed；　and　bowed　before　her　and　said：　　〃O　gracious　Lady；
thou　badest　me　service；　and　I　have　been　about　it。〃

She　said：　　〃Tell　me　then；　tell　me；　what　hath　betided？〃

〃Lady；〃　said　he；　〃when　I　entered　the　thicket　of　thy　swooning　I　found
there　no　carcase　of　the　lion；　nor　any　sign　of　the　dragging　away　of
him。〃

She　looked　full　in　his　face　for　a　little；　and　then　went　to　her
chair；　and　sat　down　therein；　and　in　a　little　while　spake　to　him　in　a
softer　voice；　and　said：　　〃Did　I　not　tell　thee　that　some　enemy　had
done　that　unto　me？　and　lo！　now　thou　seest　that　so　it　is。〃

Then　was　she　silent　again；　and　knit　her　brows　and　set　her　teeth；　and
thereafter　she　spake　harshly　and　fiercely：　　〃But　I　will　overcome
her；　and　make　her　days　evil；　but　keep　death　away　from　her；　that　she
may　die　many　times　over；　and　know　all　the　sickness　of　the　heart；
when　foes　be　nigh；　and　friends　afar；　and　there　is　none　to　deliver！〃

Her　eyes　flashed；　and　her　face　was　dark　with　anger；　but　she　turned
and　caught　Walter's　eyes；　and　the　sternness　of　his　face；　and　she
softened　at　once；　and　said：　　〃But　thou！　this　hath　little　to　do　with
thee；　and　now　to　thee　I　speak：　　Now　cometh　even　and　night。　　Go　thou
to　thy　chamber；　and　there　shalt　thou　find　raiment　worthy　of　thee；
what　thou　now　art；　and　what　thou　shalt　be；　do　on　the　same；　and　make
thyself　most　goodly；　and　then　come　thou　hither　and　eat　and　drink
with　me；　and　afterwards　depart　whither　thou　wilt；　till　the　night　has
worn　to　its　midmost；　and　then　come　thou　to　my　chamber；　to　wit；
through　the　ivory　door　in　the　gallery　above；　and　then　and　there
shall　I　tell　thee　a　thing；　and　it　shall　be　for　the　weal　both　of　thee
and　of　me；　but　for　the　grief　and　woe　of　the　Enemy。〃

Therewith　she　reached　her　hand　to　him；　and　he　kissed　it；　and
departed　and　came　to　his　chamber；　and　found　raiment　therebefore　rich
beyond　measure；　and　he　wondered　if　any　new　snare　lay　therein：　　yet
if　there　were；　he　saw　no　way　whereby　he　might　escape　it；　so　he　did
it　on；　and　became　as　the　most　glorious　of　kings；　and　yet　lovelier
than　any　king　of　the　world。

Sithence　he　went　his　way　into　the　pillared　hall；　when　it　was　now
night；　and　without　the　moon　was　up；　and　the　trees　of　the　wood　as
still　as　images。　　But　within　the　hall　shone　bright　with　many
candles；　and　the　fountain　glittered　in　the　light　of　them；　as　it　ran
tinkling　sweetly　into　the　little　stream；　and　the　silvern　bridges
gleamed；　and　the　pillars　shone　all　round　about。

And　there　on　the　dais　was　a　table　dight　most　royally；　and　the　Lady
sitting　thereat；　clad　in　her　most　glorious　array；　and　behind　her　the
Maid　standing　humbly；　yet　clad　in　precious　web　of　shimmering　gold；
but　with　feet　unshod；　and　the　iron　ring　upon　her　ankle。

So　Walter　came　his　ways　to　the　high…seat；　and　the　Lady　rose　and
greeted　him；　and　took　him　by　the　hands；　and　kissed　him　on　either
cheek；　and　sat　him　down　beside　her。　　So　they　fell　to　their　meat；　and
the　Maid　served　them；　but　the　Lady　took　no　more　heed　of　her　than　if
she　were　one　of　the　pillars　of　the　hall；　but　Walter　she　caressed　oft
with　sweet　words；　and　the　touch　of　her　hand；　making　him　drink　out　of
her　cup　and　eat　out　of　her　dish。　　As　to　him；　he　was　bashful　by
seeming；　but　verily　fearful；　he　took　the　Lady's　caresses　with　what
grace　he　might；　and　durst　not　so　much　as　glance　at　her　Maid。　　Long
indeed　seemed　that　banquet　to　him；　and　longer　yet　endured　the
weariness　of　his　abiding　there；　kind　to　his　foe　and　unkind　to　his
friend；　for　after　the　banquet　they　still　sat　a　while；　and　the　Lady
talked　much　to　Walter　about　many　things　of　the　ways　of　the　world；
and　he　answered　what　he　might；　distraught　as　he　was　with　the　thought
of　those　two　trysts　which　he　had　to　deal　with。

At　last　spake　the　Lady　and　said：　　〃Now　must　I　leave　thee　for　a
little；　and　thou　wottest　where　and　how　we　shall　meet　next；　and
meanwhile　disport　thee　as　thou　wilt；　so　that　thou　weary　not　thyself；
for　I　love　to　see　thee　joyous。〃

Then　she　arose　stately　and　grand；　but　she　kissed　Walter　on　the　mouth
ere　she　turned　to　go　out　of　the　hall。　　The　Maid　followed　her；　but　or
ever　she　was　quite　gone；　she　stooped　and　made　that　sign；　and　looked
over　her　shoulder　at　Walter；　as　if　in　entreaty　to　him；　and　there　was
fear　and　anguish　in　her　face；　but　he　nodded　his　head　to　her　in　yea…
say　of　the　tryst　in　the　hazel…copse；　and　in　a　trice　she　was　gone。

Walter　went　down　the　hall；　and　forth　into　the　early　night；　but　in
the　jaws　of　the　porch　he　came　up　against　the　King's　Son；　who；　gazing
at　his　attire　glittering　with　all　its　gems　in　the　moonlight；　laughed
out；　and　said：　　〃Now　may　it　be　seen　how　thou　art　risen　in　degree
above　me；　whereas　I　am　but　a　king's　son；　and　that　a　king　of　a　far
country；　whereas　thou　art　a　king　of　kings；　or　shalt　be　this　night；
yea；　and　of　this　very　country　wherein　we　both　are。〃

Now　Walter　saw　the　mock　which　lay　under　his　words；　but　he　kept　back
his　wrath；　and　answered：　　〃Fair　sir；　art　thou　as　well　contented　with
thy　lot　as　when　the　sun　went　down？　　Hast　thou　no　doubt　or　fear？
Will　the　Maid　verily　keep　tryst　with　thee；　or　hath　she　given　thee
yea…say　but　to　escape　thee　this　time？　　Or；　again；　may　she　not　turn
to　the　Lady　and　appeal　to　her　against　thee？〃

Now　when　he　had　spoken　these　words；　he　repented　thereof；　and　feared
for　himself　and　the　Maid；　lest　he　had　stirred　some　misgiving　in　that
young　man's　foolish　heart。　　But　the　King's　Son　did　but　laugh；　and
answered　nought　but　to　Walter's　last　words；　and　said：　　〃Yea；　yea！
this　word　of　thine　showeth　how　little　thou　wottest　of　that　which
lieth　betwixt　my　darling　and　thine。　　Doth　the　lamb　appeal　from　the
shepherd　to　the　wolf？　　Even　so　shall　the　Maid　appeal　from　me　to　thy
Lady。　　What！　ask　thy　Lady　at　thy　leisure　what　her　wont　hath　been
with　her　thrall；　she　shall　think　it　a　fair　tale　to　tell　thee
thereof。　　But　thereof　is　my　Maid　all　whole　now　by　reason　of　her
wisdom　in　leechcraft；　or　somewhat　more。　　And　now　I　tell　thee　again；
that　the　beforesaid　Maid　must　needs　do　my　will；　for　if　I　be　the　deep
sea；　and　I　deem　not　so　ill　of　myself；　that　other　one　is　the　devil；
as　belike　thou　shalt　find　out　for　thyself　later　on。　　Yea；　all　is
well　with　me；　and　more　than　well。〃

And　therewith　he　swung　merrily　into　the　litten　hall。　　But　Walter
went　out　into　the　moonlit　night；　and　wandered　about　for　an　hour　or
more；　and　stole　warily　into　the　hall　and　thence　into　his　own
chamber。　　There　he　did　off　that　royal　array；　and　did　his　own　raiment
upon　him；　he　girt　him　with　sword　and　knife；　took　his　bow　and　quiver；
and　stole　down　and　out　again；　even　as　he　had　come　in。　　Then　he
fetched　a　compass；　and　came　down　into　the　hazel…coppice　from　the
north；　and　lay　hidden　there　while　the　night　wore；　till　he　deemed　it
would　lack　but　little　of　midnight。



CHAPTER　XXI：　　WALTER　AND　THE　MAID　FLEE　FROM　THE　GOLDEN　HOUSE



There　he　abode　amidst　the　hazels；　hearkening　every　littlest　sound；
and　the　sounds　were　nought　but　the　night　voices　of　the　wood；　till
suddenly　there　burst　forth　from　the　house　a　great　wailing　cry。
Walter's　heart　came　up　into　his　mouth；　but　he　had　no　time　to　do
aught；　for　following　hard　on　the　cry　came　the　sound　of　light　feet
close　to　him；　the　boughs　were　thrust　aside；　and　there　was　come　the
Maid；　and　she　but　in　her　white　coat；　and　barefoot。　　And　then　first
he　felt　the　sweetness　of　her　flesh　on　his；　for　she　caught　him　by　the
hand　and　said　breathlessly：　　〃Now；　now！　there　may　yet　be　time；　or
even　too　much；　it　may　be。　　For　the　saving　of　breath　ask　me　no
questions；　but　come！〃

He　dallied　not；　but　went　as　she　led；　and　they　were　lightfoot；　both
of　them。

They　went　the　same　way；　due　south　to　wit；　whereby　he　had　gone　a…
hunting　with　the　Lady；　and　whiles　they　ran　and　whiles　they　walked；
but　so　fast　they　went；　that　by　grey　of　the　dawn　they　were　come　as
far　as　that　coppice　or　thicket　of　the　Lion；　and　still　they　hastened
onward；　and　but　little　had　the　Maid　spoken；　save　here　and　there　a
word　to　hearten　up　Walter；　and　here　and　there　a　shy　word　of
endearment。　　At　last　the　dawn　grew　into　early　day；　and　as　they　came
over　the　brow　of　a　bent；　they　looked　down　over　a　plain　land　whereas
the　trees　grew　scatter…meal；　and　beyond　the　plain　rose　up　the　land
into　long　green　hills；　and　over　those　again　were　blue　mountains
great　and　far　away。

Then　spake　the　Maid：　　〃Over　yonder　lie　the　outlying　mountains　of　the
Bears；　and　through　them　we　needs　must　pass；　to　our　great　peril。
Nay；　friend；〃　she　said；　as　he　handled　his　sword…hilt；　〃it　must　be
patience　and　wisdom　to　bring　us　through；　and　not　the　fallow　blade　of
one　man；　though　he　be　a　good　one。　　But　look！　below　there　runs　a
stream　through　the　first　of　the　plain；　and　I　see　nought　for　it　but
we　must　now　rest　our　bodies。　　Moreover　I　have　a　tale　to　tell　thee
which　is　burning　my　heart；　for　maybe　there　will　be　a　pardon　to　ask
of　thee　moreover；　wherefore　I　fear　thee。〃

Quoth　Walter：　　〃How　may　that　be？〃

She　answered　him　not；　but　took　his　hand　and　led　him　down　the　bent。
But　he　said：　　〃Thou　sayest；　rest；　but　are　we　now　out　of　all　peril　of
the　chase？〃

She　said：　　〃I　cannot　tell　till　I　know　what　hath　befallen　her。　　If
she　be　not　to　hand　to　set　on　her　trackers；　they　will　scarce　happen
on　us　now；　if　it　be　not　for　that　one。〃

And　she　shuddered；　and　he　felt　her　hand　change　as　he　held　it。

Then　she　said：　　〃But　peril　or　no　peril；　needs　must　we　rest；　for　I
tell　thee　again；　what　I　have　to　say　to　thee　burneth　my　bosom　for
fear　of　thee；　so　that　I　can　go　no　further　until　I　h