TheyCometotheLandoftheInnocentFolkWhenitwasmorningtheyspeedilygatthemreadyfortheroad，whereastheyhadlittletotakewiththem；sotheydepartedjoyously，howbeitbothRalphandUrsulafeltratherlovethanloathingfortheirwinterabode。Thedaywasyetyoungwhentheywenttheirways。
Theirhorsesandalltheirgearwereagreatwondertotheyoungmen，fortheyhadseennosuchbeastsbefore：buttheeldersaidthatonceinhisyoungdayshehadledamantotheWellwhowasridingahorseandwascladinknightlyarray。
Sotheywentbywayswhichwerenowisedreadful，thoughtheywerevoidofmen-folk，andinthreedays’timetheywerecomeoutofthemountains，andinthreemorethesaidmountainsweretobeholdbutacloudbehindthem，andthelandwasgrowngoodly，withfairvalleysandlittlehills，thoughstilltheysawnomen，andforsooththeywentleisurely，foroxenarebutslow-goingnags。
ButwhentheyweregoneeightdaysfromtheValleyofSweet-chestnuts，theycameacrossaflockofuncouth-lookingsheeponagreenhill-side，andfourfolkshepherdingthem，twocarlestowit，andtwoqueans，liketotheirway-leaders，butscarcesogoodly，andruderofraiment。
Thesemengreetedthemkindly，andyetwithmoreworshipthanfellowship，andtheymarvelledexceedinglyattheirhorsesandweapons。
Thencetheypassedon，andthenextdaycameintoawidevalley，well-grassedandwatered，andwoodedhereandthere；moreovertherewerecotsscatteredaboutit。Thereandthenceforththeymetmenamany，bothcarlesandqueans，andsheepandneatinplenty，andtheypassedbygarthswhereintheyoungcornwaswaxing，andvineyardsonthehillsides，wherethevineswerebeginningtogrowgreen。
Thelandseemedasgoodlyasmightbe，andallthefolktheymetwerekind，ifsomewhatoverreverent。
Ontheeveningofthatdaytheycameintothetownofthatfolk，whichwasbutsimple，whollyunfencedforwar，andthehousesbutlow，andnotgreat。Yetwastherenaughtoffilthorfamine，noranypovertyormisery；andthepeopleweremerry-facedandwell-liking，andcladgoodlyaftertheirfashioninwhitewoollenclothorfrieze。
Allthepeopleofthetownwerecomeforthtomeetthem，forrunnershadgonebeforethem，andtheystoodoneithersideofthewaymurmuringgreetings，andwiththeirheadsbentlowinreverence。
ThusrodeRalphandUrsulauptothedooroftheTemple，orMote-house，orGuest-house，foritwasallthese，ahousegreat，andasfairastheyknewhowtomakeit。
BeforethedoorthereofwerestandingtheeldersoftheFolk；
andwhentheydrewrein，theeldestandmostreverendofthesecameforthandspakeinacheerfulvoice，yetsolemnly：
“WelcomeandthricewelcometotheSeekersafterlengthofdaysandhappytimes，andtheloving-kindnessoftheFolksoftheEarth！”
Thenalltheeldersgatheredaboutthem，andbadethemlightdownandbeatrestamongstthem，andtheymademuchofthemandbroughtthemintotheMote-house，where-inwerebothwomenandmenfairandstately，andthementookRalphbythehandandthewomenUrsula，andbroughtthemintochamberswheretheybathedthemanddidofftheirwayfaringraiment，andcladtheminwhitewoollengownsofwebexceedingfine，andfragrantwithal。
Thentheycrownedthemwithflowers，andledthembackintothehall，whereasnowwasmuchfolkgathered，andtheysetthemdownonadaisasthoughtheyhadbeenkings，orrathergods；
andwhentheybeheldthemtheresofairandlovely，theycriedoutforjoyofthem，andbadethemhailoftandoft。
Therethenweretheyfeastedbythatkindfolk，andwhenmeatwasdonecertainyouthsandmaidensfelltosingingsongsverysweetly；
andthewordsofthesongsweresimpleandharmless，andconcerningthefairnessoftheearthandthehappylovesofthecreaturesthatdwelltherein。
Thereafterasthenightaged，theywereshowntoasleepingchamber，whichalbeitnotrichlydecked，orplenishedwithpreciousthings，wasmostdaintyclean，andsweetsmelling，andstrewnwithflowers，sothatthenightwassweettotheminachamberoflove。
CHAPTER16
TheyCometotheHouseoftheSorceressOnthemorrowthekindpeopledelayedthemlittle，thoughtheysorrowedfortheirdeparture，andbeforenoonweretheiroldway-leadersreadyforthem；
andtheoldmanandhistwograndsons(forsuchtheywere)
weremuchhonouredofthesimplepeoplefortheirway-leadingoftheHeavenlyFolk；forsotheycalledRalphandUrsula。
Sotheygatthemtothewayinsuchlikeguiseasbefore，onlytheyhadwiththemfivesumpteroxeninsteadoftwo；
fortheoldmantoldthemthatnotonlywastheirwaylonger，butalsotheymustneedspassthroughaterriblewaste，whereinwasnaughtfortheiravail，neitherman，norbeast，norherb。
Evensotheyfounditashesaid；forafterthefirstday’sridefromthetowntheycametotheedgeofthissamewaste，andonthefourthdayweredeepintheheartofit：
adesertitwas，ratherrockyandstonyandsandythanmountainous，thoughtheyhadhillstocrossalso：
withaltherewasbutlittlewaterthere，andthatfoulandstinking。
Longlastedthiswaste，andRalphthoughtindeedthatithadbeenhardtocross，hadnottheirway-leadersbeen；
thereforehemademarksandsignsbythewayside，andtooknoteofthebearingsofrocksandmoundsagainstthedayofreturn。
Twelvedaystheyrodethiswaste，andonthethirteenthitbegantomendsomewhat，andtherewasalittlegrass，andsweetwaters，andtheysawaheadtheswellinghillsofagreatwoodland，albeittheyhadtostrugglethroughmarshlandandlowscrubbythicketforadaylonger，orevertheygottotheaforesaidtrees，whichatfirstwerenaughtbutpines；butthesefailedinawhile，andtheyrodeagrasswastenearlytreeless，butsomewhatwellwatered，wheretheygatthemgoodstoreofvenison。
Thereaftertheycameonwoodsofoakandsweet-chestnut，withhereandthereabeech-wood。
Longandlongtheyrodethewoodland，butitwashardonMaywhentheyenteredit，anditwaspleasanttherein，andwhatwithonething，whatwithanother，theyhadabundantlivelihoodthere。
YetwasJuneatitsfullwhenatlasttheycamewithinsightoftheHouseoftheSorceress，onthehottestofafairafternoon。
AnditwasevenasRalphhadseenitpicturedinthearrasofthehalloftheCastleofAbundance；alittlehousebuiltafterthefashionofhousesinhisownlandofthewest；
thethatchwastrim，andthewindowsanddoorswereunbroken，andthegarthwaswhole，andthegoatsfeedingtherein，andthewheatwastallandblossominginthelittlecloses，whereashehadlookedtoseeallbrokendownandwild，andastothehouse，ameregrass-grownheap，oratthemostabrokengablefastcrumblingaway。
Thenwaxedhisheartsorewiththememoryofthatpassedtime，andthesweetnessofhisshort-livedlove，thoughherefrainedhimallhemight：yetforsoothUrsulalookedonhimanxiously，somuchhisfacewaschangedbythethoughtsofhisheart。
Buttheelderoftheway-leaderssawthathewasmoved，anddeemedthathewaswonderingatthathousesotrimandorderlyamidstthewildwood，sohesaid：“HerealsodoweafterourbehesttothatmarvellousandlovelyLady，thatwesuffernotthishousetogotoruin：
everaresomeofourfolkhere，andeveryyearaboutthisseasonwesendtwoormoretotaketheplacesofthosewhohavedweltintheHouseyear-long：soeveristheresomeonetokeepallthingstrim。
Butastostrangers，IhaveneverinmylifeseenanySeekeroftheWellherein，saveonce，andthatwasanoldhoarmanliketome，savethathewasfeeblerinallwisethanIbe。”
NowRalphheardhimtalking，yetnotedhiswordsbutlittle；
foritwaswithhimasifallthegriefofheartwhichhehadpennedbackforsolongawhileswelledupwithinhimandburstitsbounds；
andheturnedtowardUrsulaandtheireyesmet，andshelookedshyandanxiousonhimandhemightnolongerrefrainhimself，butputhishandstohisface(fortheyhadnowdrawnreinatthegarth-gate)
andbrakeoutaweeping，andweptlongforthefriendwhosefeethadwornthatpathsooften，andwhoseheart，thoughsheweredead，hadbroughtthemthitherfortheirthriving；andforloveandsorrowofhimUrsulaweptalso。
Buttheoldmanandhisgrandsonsturnedtheirheadsawayfromhisweeping，andgotofftheirhorses，andwentuptothehouse-door，wherebywerenowstandingacarleandaqueanoftheirpeople。
ButRalphslowlygatoffhishorseandstoodbyUrsulawhowasonthegroundalready，butwouldnottouchher，forhewasashamed。
Butshelookedonhimkindlyandsaid：“Dearfriend，thereisnoneedforshame；forthoughIbeyoung，Iknowhowgrievousitiswhenthedeadthatwehavelovedcomeacrossourways，andwemaynotspeaktothem，northeytous。SoIwillbutbidtheebecomfortedandabideinthyloveforthelivingandthedead。”
Histearsbrakeoutagainatthatword，forhewasbutyoung，andforawhiletherewasalullinthestrifethathadbesethisdays。
Butafteralittlehelookedup，anddashedthetearsfromhiseyesandsmiledonUrsulaandsaid：“Thetaleshetoldmeofthisplace，thesweetnessofitcamebackuponme，andImightnotforbear。”
Shesaid：“Ofriend，thouartkind，andIlovethee。”
Sothentheyjoinedhandsandwentthroughthegarthtogether，anduptothedoor，wherestoodthewardens，who，whentheysawthemturningthither，camespeedilydownthepathtothem，andwouldhavekneltinworshiptothem；
buttheywouldnotsufferit，butembracedandkissedthem，andthankedthemmanytimesfortheirwelcome。Thesaidwardens，bothcarleandquean，weregoodlyfolkofmiddleage，stalwart，andkindofface。
Sothentheywentintothehousetogether，andenteredintotheself-samechamber，whereofoldtheLadyofAbundancehadsickenedforfearoftheSorceresssittingnakedatherspell-work。
Greatjoytheymadetogether，andthewardenssetmeatanddrinkbeforetheguests，andtheyateanddrankandwereofgoodcheer。
ButtheelderwhohadbroughtthemfromChestnut-dalesaid：
“Dearfriends，Ihavetoldyouthatthesetwoyoungmenaremygrand-children，andtheyarethesonsofthismanandwomanwhomyesee；
forthemanismyson。Andsoitis，thatamongstusthecareoftheQuestoftheWellattheWorld’sEndhathforlongbeentheheritageofourblood，goingwithusfromfathertoson。
Thereforeisitnaughtwonderful，thoughIhavebeensundrytimesatthishouse，andhavelearnedabouttheplaceallthatmaybelearned。FormyfatherbroughtmehitherwhenIwasyetaboy；
thattimeitwasthatIsawthelastmanofwhomweknowforsurethathedrankoftheWateroftheWell，andhewasthatoldhoarmanlikeuntome，but，asIsaid，farweakerinallwise；
butwhenhecamebacktousfromtheWellhewasstrongandstalwart，andabettermanthanIamnow；andIheardhimtellhisnametomyfather，thathewascalledtheSageofSwevenham。”
RalphlookedonUrsulaandsaid：“Yea，father，anditwasthroughhimthatwehadourloreconcerningthewayhither；
anditwashethatbadeusabideyourcomingintherock-houseoftheValeofSweet-chestnuts。”
“Thenheisalivestill。”saidtheelder。SaidRalph：
“Yea，andasfairandstronganoldmanasyemaylightlysee。”
“Yea，yea。”saidtheelder，“andyetfiftyyearsagohiscourseseemedrun。”
ThensaidRalph：“Tellme，father，havenoneofyourownfolksoughttotheWellattheWorld’sEnd？”“Nay，none。”saidtheelder。
SaidRalph：“Thatisstrange，whereasyearesonighthereto，andhavesuchabundantloreconcerningtheway。”
“Son。”saidtheelder，“trueitisthatthewaterofthatWellshallcauseamantothriveinallways，andtolivethroughmanygenerationsofmen，maybe，inhonourandgood-liking；
butitmaynotkeepanymanaliveforever；forsohavetheGodsgivenusthegiftofdeathlestwewearyoflife。
Nowourfolklivewellandhale，andwithoutthesicknessandpestilence，suchasIhaveheardoftbefallfolkinotherlands：
evenasIheardtheSageofSwevenhamsay，andIwonderedathiswords。Ofstrifeandofwaralsoweknownaught：
nordowedesireaughtwhichwemaynoteasilyattainto。
Thereforewelivelong，andwefeartheGodsifweshouldstrivetolivelonger，lesttheyshouldbringuponuswarandsickness，andover-weeningdesire，andwearinessoflife。
MoreoveritislittlethatallofusshouldseektotheWellattheWorld’sEnd；andthosefewthatsoughtanddrankshouldbestrongerandwiserthantheothers，andshouldmakethemselvesearthlygods，and，maybe，shouldtormenttheothersofusandmaketheirlivesaveryburdentobeborne。
Ofsuchmattersaretheretalescurrentamongstusthatsoithathbeenofyoreandinotherlands；andillitwereifsuchtimescamebackuponus。”
Ralphhunghisheadandwassilent；forthejoyoftheQuestseemeddyingoutastheoldman’swordsdroppedslowlyfromhismouth。
ButhesmileduponRalphandwenton：“Butforyou，guests，itisotherwise，foryeoftheWorldbeyondtheMountainsarestrongerandmoregodlikethanwe，asalltalestell；
andyewearawayyourlivesdesiringthatwhichyemayscarceget；
andyesetyourheartsonhighthings，desiringtobemastersoftheveryGods。Thereforeyeknowsicknessandsorrow，andoftyediebeforeyourtime，sothatyemustdepartandleaveundonethingswhichyedeemyewereborntodo；
whichtoallmenisgrievous。Andbecauseofallthisyedesirehealingandthriving，whethergoodcomeofit，orill。
