timetheywereatthemountain-top，andcomingoverthebrowbeheldbeneaththemfairgreenslopesbesprinkledwithtrees，andbeyondthem，somethreeorfourmilesaway，thebluelandlessseaandoneitherhandofthemwastheseaalso，sothattheywerenigh-handattheendingofagreatness，andtherewasnaughtbeyondit；andnaughttodoiftheymissedtheWell，buttoturnbackbythewaytheyhadcome。
Nowwhentheysawthistheywereexceedinglymovedandtheylookedononeanother，andeachsawthattheotherwaspale，withglisteningeyes，sincetheyweretocometotheverypointoftheirdoom，andthatitshouldbeseenwhethertherewerenosuchthingastheWellinalltheearth，butthattheyhadbeenchasingafair-huedcloud；orelsetheirQuestshouldbeachievedandtheyshouldhavetheworldbeforethem，andtheyhappyandmighty，andofgreatworshipamidstallmen。
Littletheytarried，butgatthemdownthesteepofthemountain，andsolowerandlowertilltheywerecometogroundnighlevel；
andthenatlastitwasbutthus，thatwithoutanygreatrock-wallorgirdleofmarvellousandstrangeland，therewasanendofearth，withitsgrassandtreesandstreams，andabeginningoftheocean，whichstretchedawaychangeless，anditmightbeforever。
Wherethelandendedtherewasbutacliffoflessthananhundredfeetabovetheeddyingofthesea；andontheverypointofthenesswasalowgreentoftwithasquarestonesetatopofit，whereonastheydrewnightheysawthetokengraven，yeaoneachfacethereof。
Thentheywentalongtheedgeofthecliffamileoneachsideofthesaidtoft，andthenfindingnaughtelsetonote，naughtsavethegrassandthesea，theycamebacktothatplaceofthetoken，andsatdownonthegrassofthetoft。
Itwasnowevening，andthesunwassettingbeyondthem，buttheycouldbeholdakindofstaircutinthesideofthecliff，andonthefirststepwhereofwasthetokendone；whereforetheyknewthattheywerebiddentogodownbythesaidstair；
butitseemedtoleadnowhither，savestraightintothesea。
AndwhilesitcameintoRalph’smindthatthiswasnaughtbutamock，asiftobidthehaplessseekerscastthemselvesdownfromtheearth，andbedonewithitforever。
Butinanycasetheymightnottrytheadventureofthatstairbythefailinglight，andwiththenightlongbeforethem。
Sowhentheyhadhoppledtheirhorses，andleftthemtograzeattheirwillonthesweetgrassofthemeadow，theylaidthemdownbehindthegreentoft，and，beingforwearied，itwasnolongtimeeretheytwainsleptfastattheuttermostendoftheworld。
NowTheyDrinkoftheWellattheWorld’sEndRalphawokefromsomefoolishmorningdreamofUpmeads，wonderingwherehewas，orwhatfamiliarvoicehadcriedouthisname：thenheraisedhimselfonhiselbow，andsawUrsulastandingbeforehimwithflushedfaceandsparklingeyes，andshewaslookingoutseaward，whileshecalledonhisname。
Sohesprangupandstrovewiththeslumberthatstillhungabouthim，andashiseyesclearedhelookeddown，andsawthatthesea，whichlastnighthadwashedthefaceofthecliff，hadnowebbedfarout，andleftbarebetwixtthebillowsandthecliffsomehalfmileofblacksand，withrocksofthelikehuerisingoutofithereandthere。
Butjustbelowtheplacewheretheystood，rightupagainstthecliff，wasbuildedbyman’shandofhugestonesagarthofpound，thewallwhereofwassomesevenfeethigh，andthepoundwithinthewalloffortyfeetspaceendlongandoverthwart；
andthesaidpoundwasfilledwiththewatersofaspringthatcameforthfromthefaceofthecliffastheydeemed，thoughfromabovetheymightnotseetheissuethereof；
butthewaterranseawardfromthepoundbysomewayunseen，andmadeawidestreamthroughtheblacksandoftheforeshore：
buteverthegreatbasinfilledsomewhatfasterthanitvoided，sothatitranovertheliponallsides，makingathinveiloverthehugeashlar-stonesofthegarth。
Thedaywasbrightandfairwithnowind，savelightairsplayingaboutfromthewestwardort，andallthingsgleamedandglitteredinthesun。
Ralphstoodstillamoment，andthenstretchedabroadhisarms，andwithagreatsobcastthemroundaboutthebodyofhisbeloved，andstrainedhertohisbosomashemurmuredabouther，THEWELL
ATTHEWORLD’SEND。Butsheweptforjoyasshefawneduponhim，andletherhandsbeatuponhisbody。
Butwhentheyweresomewhatcalmedoftheirecstasyofjoy，theymadereadytogodownbythatrockystair。Andfirsttheydidofftheirarmourandothergear，andwhentheywerenakedtheydidonthehallowedraimentwhichtheyhadoutofthearkintheHouseoftheSorceress；andsocladgatthemdowntherock-hewnstair，Ralphgoingfirst，lestthereshouldbeanybrokenplace；
butnaughtwasamisswiththosehardblackstones，andtheycamesafelytoalevelplaceoftherock，whencetheycouldseethefaceofthecliff，andhowthewatersoftheWellcamegushingforthfromahollowthereininagreatswellingwaveasclearasglass；
andthesunglistenedinitandmadeafoam-bowaboutitsedges。
Butabovetheissueofthewaterstheblackrockhadbeensmoothedbyman’sart，andthereonwasgraventheSwordandtheBough，andaboveitthesewords，towit：
Sotheylookedlongandwondered；andUrsulasaid：“Deemestthou，myfriend，thatanyhavecomethusfarandforbornetodrink？”
SaidRalph：“Surelynoteventheexceedingwisemightrememberthebitternessofhiswisdomashestoodhere。”
Thenhelookedonherandhisfacegrewbrightbeyondmeasure，andcriedout：
“Olove，love！whytarrywe？ForyetIfearlestwebecometoolate，andthoudiebeforemineeyesereyetthouhastdrunken。”
“Yea。”shesaid，“andIalsofearforthee，thoughthyfaceisruddyandthineeyessparkle，andthouartaslovelyastheCaptainoftheLord’shosts。”
Thenshelaughed，andherlaughterwasassilverbellsrungtunably，andshesaid：“Butwhereisthecupforthedrinking？”
ButRalphlookedonthefaceofthewall，andabouttheheightofhishandsawsquaremarksthereon，asthoughtherewereanambrye；andamidstthesquarewasaknopoflatten，allgreenwiththeweatherandthesaltspray。
SoRalphsethishandtotheknopanddrewstrongly，andloitwasadoormadeofasquaredstonehungonbrazenhinges，anditopenedeasilytohim，andwithinwasacupofgoldsmith’swork，withtheswordandtheboughdonethereon；androundabouttherimwritthisposey：
“THESTRONGOFHEARTSHALLDRINKFROMME。”SoRalphtookitandhelditaloftsothatitspuremetalflashedinthesun，andhesaid：
“Thisisforthee，Sweetling。”
“Yea，andforthee。”shesaid。
Nowthatlevelplace，orbench-tablewentuptotheverygushingandgreenbowofthewater，soRalphtookUrsula’shandandledheralong，shegoingalittleafterhim，tillhewasclosetotheWell，andstoodamidstthespray-bowthereof，sothathelookedverilylikeoneofthepaintedangelsonthechoirwallofSt。LaurenceofUpmeads。
Thenhereachedforthhishandandthrustthecupintothewater，holdingitstoutlybecausethegushofthestreamwasstrong，sothatthewateroftheWellsplashedalloverhim，wettingUrsula’sfaceandbreastwithal：
andhefeltthatthewaterwassweetwithoutanysaltnessofthesea。
ButheturnedtoUrsulaandreachedoutthefullcuptoher，andsaid：
“Sweetling，callahealthoverthecup！”
Shetookitandsaid：“Tothylife，beloved！”anddrankwithal，andhereyeslookedoutofthecupthewhile，likeachild’swhenhedrinketh。Thenshegavehimthecupagainandsaid：
“Drink，andtarrynot，lestthoudieandIlive。”
ThenRalphplungedthecupintothewatersagain，andheheldthecupaloft，andcriedout：“TotheEarth，andtheWorldofManfolk！”
andtherewithhedrank。
Foraminutethentheyclungtogetherwithinthespray-bowoftheWell，andthenshetookhishandandledhimbacktothemidstofthebench-table，andheputthecupintotheambrye，andshutitupagain，andthentheysatthemdownonthewidestoftheplatformundertheshadowofajuttingrock；
forthesunwashot；andtherewithalasweetwearinessbegantostealoverthem，thoughtherewasspeechbetwixtthemforalittle，andRalphsaid：
“Howisitwiththee，beloved？”
“Owellindeed。”shesaid。
Quothhe：“AndhowtastethtotheethewateroftheWell？”
Slowlyshespakeandsleepily：“Ittastedgood，andasifthylovewereblendedwithit。”
Andshesmiledinhisface；buthesaid：“OnethingIwonderover：
howshallwewotifwehavedrunkaright？Forwhereasifweweresickoroldandfailing，orill-liking，andwerenowpresentlyhealedofallthis，andbecomestrongandfairtolookon，thenshouldweknowitforsure——
butnow，though，asIlookonthee，Ibeholdtheethefairestofallwomen，andonthyfaceisnotokenoftoilandtravail，andthewearinessoftheway；
andthoughtheheart-acheoflonelinessandcaptivity，andtheshameofUtterbolhasleftnomarkuponthee——yethastthounotalwaysbeensweettomyeyes，andassweetasmightbe？Andhowthen？”……Buthebrokeoffandlookedonherandshesmiledupontheloveinhiseyes，andhisheadfellbackandhesleptwithacalmandsmilingface。
Andsheleanedoverhimtokisshisfacebuteventherewithherowneyesclosedandshelaidherheaduponhisbreast，andsleptaspeacefullyashe。
NowTheyHaveDrunkandAreGladLongtheyslepttilltheshadowswerefallingfromthewest，andtheseawasflowingfastagainoverthesandsbeneaththem，thoughtherewasstillagreatspacebarebetwixtthecliffandthesea。
ThenspakeUrsulaasifRalphhadbutjustleftspeaking；andshesaid：
“Yea，dearlord，andIalsosay，that，lovelyasthouartnow，neverhastthoubeenaughtelsebutlovelytome。Buttellme，hastthouhadanyscarofahurtuponthybody？Forifnowthatweregone，surelyitshouldbeatokenoftherenewalofthylife。
Butifitbenotgone，thentheremayyetbeanothertoken。”
Thenhestooduponhisfeet，andshecriedout：
“Obutthouartfairandmighty，whonowshalldaregainsaythee？
Whoshallnotlongforthee？”
SaidRalph：“Look，love！howtheseacomesoverthesandlikethecreepingofaslywood-snake！Shallwegohenceandturnfromtheocean-seawithoutwettingourbodiesinitswaters？”
“Letusgo。”shesaid。
Sotheywentdownontothelevelsands，andalongtheedgesofthesweet-waterstreamthatflowedfromtheWell；andRalphsaid：
“Beloved，Iwilltelltheeofthatwhichthouhastaskedme：
whenIwasbutaladofsixteenwintersthererodemena-liftingintoUpmeads，andNicholasLongshanks，whoisawisemanofwar，gatheredforceandwentagainstthem，andImustneedsridebesidehim。
Nowwecametoourabove，andputthethievestotheroad；
butinthehurlyIgotaclawfromthewar-beast，forthestrokeofaswordshearedmeoffsomewhatfrommyshoulder：
belikethouhastseenthescarandloathedit。”
“Itisnaughtloathsome。”shesaid，“foraladtobeaboldwarrior，norforagrownmantothinklightlyofthememoryofdeathdrawnnearforthefirsttime。Yea，Ihavenoteditbutletmeseenowwhathasbefallenwithit。”
Asshespoketheywerecometoasaltpoolinarockybightontheirrighthand，whichthetidewasfillingspeedily；andRalphspake：
“Seenow，thisisthebathofthewateroftheoceansea。”
Sotheywerespeedilynakedandplayinginthewater：
andUrsulatookRalphbythearmandlookedtohisshoulderandsaid：
“Omyladofthepaleedges，whereisgonethyglory？
Thereisnomarkofthesword’spilgrimageonthyshoulder。”
“Nay，none？”quothhe。
“None，none！”shesaid，“Didstthousaytheverysoothofthyhurtinthebattle，Opoorladofmine？”“Yea，thesooth。”saidhe。
Thenshelaughedsweetlyandmerrilylikethechuckleofafluteovertheripplingwaters，thatrosehigherandhigheraboutthem，andsheturnedhereyesaskanceandlookedadowntoherownsleekside，andlaidherhandonitandlaughedagain。ThensaidRalph：
“Whatistoward，beloved？Forthylaughisratherofjoythatofmirthalone。”
Shesaid：“Osmooth-skinnedwarrior，OLilyandRoseofbattle；
hereonmysideyesterdaywasthetokenofthehart’stynethatgoredmewhenIwasayoungmaidenfiveyearsago：
looknowandpitythemaidenthatlayonthegrassoftheforest，andthewoodmana-passingbydeemedherdeadfiveyearsago。”
Ralphstoopeddownastheripplewashedawayfromher，thensaid：
“Insoothhereisnomarknorblemish，butthebesthandiworkofGod，aswhenhefirstmadeawomanfromthesideoftheAncientFatherofthefieldofDamask。Butloyoulove，howswiftthetidecomethup，andIlongtoseethyfeetonthegreengrass，andIfearthesea，lestitstirthejoyoverstronglyinourheartsandwebenotabletoescapefromitswaves。”
Sotheywentupfromoutofthewater，anddidonthehallowedraimentfragrantwithstrangeherbs，andpassedjoyfullyupthesandtowardsthecliffanditsstair；andspeedilywithal，forsosoonastheywerecladagain，thelittlerippleoftheseawasnightouchingtheirfeet。
Astheywent，theynotedthatthewatersoftheWellflowedseawardfromtheblack-walledpoundbythreearchedopeningsinitsouterface，andtheybeheldthemason’swork，howgoodlyitwas；foritwasasifithadbeencutoutofthefootofamountain，sowelljointedwereitsstones，anditswallssolidagainstanystormthatmightdriveagainstit。
Theyclimbedthestair，andsatthemdownonthegreengrassawhilewatchingtheoceancominginoverthesandandtherocks，andRalphsaid：
“Iwilltellthee，sweetling，thatIamgrowneagerfortheroad；
thoughtrueitisthatwhilesIwasdownyonderamidsttherippleoftheseaIlongedfornaughtbutthee，thoughthouwertbesideme，andthyjoyouswordswereasfiretotheheartofmylove。
ButnowthatIamonthegreengrassoftheearthIcalledtomindadreamthatcametomewhenwesleptafterthepreciousdraughtoftheWell：
formethoughtthatIwasstandingbeforetheporchoftheFeast-hallofUpmeadsandholdingthinehand，andtheancientHousespaketomewiththevoiceofaman，greetingboththeeandme，andpraisingthygoodlinessandvaliancy。Surelythenitiscallingmetodeeds，andifitwerebutmorning，asitisnowdrawingtowardssunset，wewouldmountandbegonestraightway。”
“Surely。”shesaid，“thouhastdrunkoftheWell，andthefearoftheehasalreadyenteredintotheheartsofthyfoemenfaraway，evenastheloveoftheeconstrainethmeasIliebythyside；
butsinceitiseveningandsunset，letitbeevening，andletthemorningseetoitsownmatters。Sonowletusbepilgrimsagain，andeatthemealofpilgrims，andseetoourhorses，andthenwanderaboutthislovelywildernessanditsgreenmeads，wherenosonofmanheedeththewildthings，tillthenightcome，bringingtoustherestandthesleepofthemthathaveprevailedovermanytroubles。”
Evensotheydid，andbrokebreadabovethesea，andlookedtotheirhorses，andthenwenthandinhandaboutthegoodlygreenbentsbetwixttheseaandtheroughofthemountain；
anditwasthefairestandsoftestofsummerevenings；
andthedeerofthatplace，bothlittleandgreat，hadnofearofman，butthehartandhindcametoUrsula’shand；
andthethrushespercheduponhershoulder，andtheharesgambolledtogetherclosetothefeetofthetwain；sothatitseemedtothemthattheyhadcomeintotheveryGardenofGod；
andtheyforgatallthemanymilesofthewasteandthemountainthatlaybeforethem，andtheyhadnothoughtforthestrifeoffoemenandthethwartingofkindred，thatbelikeawaitedthemintheirownland，buttheythoughtoftheloveandhappinessofthehourthatwaspassing。
Sosweetlytheyworethroughthelastminutesoftheday，andwhenitwasasdarkasitwouldbeinthatfairseason，theylaydownbythegreenknollattheendingoftheland，andwerelulledtosleepbythebubblingoftheWellattheWorld’sEnd。
