Ralphledthemroundbytheford，sothattheymightnotcomeacrossthecorpsesoftherobbers；butalreadyweretheUpmeadscarlesatworkdiggingtrencheswhereintoburythem。
SoRalphledhisfatherandhismothertothegateofthegarthofHighHouse；thenhegotoffhishorseandhelpedthemdown，andashesodealtwithhisfather，hesaidtohim：
“Thouartspringyandlimberyet，father；maybethouwiltputonthinehelmthisyeartoridetheDebateableWoodwithme。”
Theoldmanlaughedandsaid：“Maybe，son；butasnowitistimefortheetoenterunderourroof-treeoncemore。”
“Nay。”saidRalph，“butgoyeinandsitinthehigh-seatandabideme。
FordidInotgostraightbacktoyoufromthefieldofbattle；
andcanIsufferitthatanyotherhandthanmineshouldleadmywifeintothehallanduptothehigh-seatofmyfathers；andthereforeIgotofetchherfromthehouseofRichardtheRedwheresheisabidingme；
butpresentlyIshallleadherin，anddoyethenwithuswhatyewill。”
TherewithheturnedaboutandrodehiswaystoRichard’shouse，whichwasbutahalf-milethence。Buthisfatherandmotherlaughedwhenhewasgone，andKingPetersaid：“Thereagain！
thouseest，wife，itishethatcommandsandwethatobey。”
“Ohappyhourthatsoitis！”saidtheLady，“andhappynowshallbethewearingofourdays。”
Sotheyenteredthegarthandcameintothehouse，andwerewelcomedwithalljoybyNicholas，andtoldhimallthatRalphhadsaid，andbadehimarraythehouseashebestmight；fortherewasmuchfolkabouttheHighHouse，thoughtheUpmeadscarlesandqueanshadtakenthemorepartofthehosttotheirhouses，whichtheyhaddeliveredfromthefireandsword，andtheymademuchofthemtherewithagoodheart。
RalphBringsUrsulaHometotheHighHouseRalphspeedilycametoRichard’shouseandenteredthechamber，andfoundUrsulaalonetherein，cladinthedaintiestofherwoman’sgearofthewebofGoldburg。Sheroseuptomeethim，andhetookherinhisarms，andsaid：
“Nowiscometheveryendingofourjourneythatwesooftenlongedfor；
andallwillbereadybythenwecometotheHighHouse。”
“Ah。”shesaid，assheclungtohim，“buttheywerehappydaysthedaysofourjourney；andto-morrowbeginsanewlife。”
“Nay。”hesaid，“butratherthiseven；shallitbeloathlytothee，lady？”
Shesaid：“TherewillbemanypeoplewhomIknewnotyesterday。”
“Therewillbebutme。”hesaid，“whenthenighthathbeendarkforalittle。”
Shekissedhimandsaidnought。AndtherewithalcamesomeofRichard’sfolk，foritwashishouse，andledwiththemawhitepalfreyforUrsula’sriding，dightallgayandgoodly。
“Comethen。”saidRalph，“thouneedestnottofeartheancienthouse，foritiskindandlovely，andmyfatherandmymotherthouhastseenalready，andtheylovethee。Comethen，lestthehallbegrowntooduskformentoseethyfairness。”“Yea，yea。”shesaid，“butfirsthereisagarlandImadeforthee，andonealsoforme，whileIwasabidingtheeafterthebattle，andmyloveandmyhopeiswovenintoit。Andshesetitonhishead，andsaid，“Othouartfair，andIdidwelltomeettheeinthedarkwood。”
Thenhekissedherdearlyonthemouthandledherforth，andnonewentwiththem，andtheymountedandwenttheirways。
ButRalphsaid：“Ideemthatweshouldridethemeadowtothebridge，becausethatwayliesthegreatdoorofthehall，andifIknowmyfatherandNicholastheywilllookforusthatway。Dostthouyetfearthesedeadmen，sweetheart，whomourfolkslewthismorning？”
“Nay。”shesaid，“ithasbeenalongtimesincethemorning，andthey，andtheirfierienesswhichhassoburnedout，arenowtomeasatalethathathbeentold。ItisthelivingthatIamgoingto，andIhopetodowellbythem。”
Cametheythentothebridge-endandtherewasnomanthere，noughtbutthekinethatwerewanderingaboutoverthedewygrassofeventide。
Thentheyrodeoverthebridgeandthroughtheorchard，andstilltherewasnoman，andallgateswereopenwide。Sotheycameintothebase-courtofthehouse，anditalsowasemptyoffolk；
andtheycametothegreatdoorsofthehallandtheywereopenwide，andtheycouldseethroughthemthatthehallwasfulloffolk，andthereinbythelightofthelowsunthatstreamedinattheshot-windowattheotherendtheysawthefacesofmenandthegleamofsteelandgold。
Sotheylighteddownfromtheirhorses，andtookhandinhandandenteredbright-facedandcalm，andgoodlybeyondthegoodlinessofmen；thenindeedallthatfolkburstforthintogladcries，andtosseduptheirweapons，andmanyweptforjoy。
Astheywentslowlyupthelonghall(anditwasthirtyfathomoflength)
Ralphlookedcheerfullyandfriendlyfromsidetoside，andbeheldthefacesoftheShepherdsandtheChampions，andthemenofWulstead，andhisownfolk；
andalltheycriedhailtohimandthelovelyandvaliantLady。
Thenhelookeduptothehigh-seat，andsawthathisfather’sthronewasempty，andhismother’salso；butbehindthethronestoodaknightallarmedinbrightarmourholdingthebannerofUpmeads；buthisfatherandmotherstoodontheedgeofthedaistomeethimandUrsula；
andwhentheycameupthithertheseoldfolkembracedthemandkissedthemandledthemuptothetable。ThenRalphbadeUrsulasitbyhismother，andmadehimreadytositbyhisfatherinallloveandduty。
ButKingPeterstayedhimandsaid：“Nay，dearson，notthere，buthereshaltthousit，thousaviourofUpmeadsandconqueroroftheheartsofmen；thisisalittleland，butthereinshallbenoneabovethee。”
AndtherewithhesetRalphdowninthethrone，andRalph，turningtohislefthand，sawthatitwasUrsula，andnothismother，whosatbesidehim。
Butatthesightofthesetwointhethronethegladcriesandshoutsshooktheverytimbersoftheroof，andthesunsankunderwhileyettheycriedhailtotheKingofUpmeads。
Thenwerethelightsbroughtandthesupper，andallmenfelltofeast，andplenteouswasthewineinthehall；andsuresincefirstmenmettoeattogethernonehavebeenmerrierthanthey。
Butnowwhenmenhadwelleaten，andthegreatcupcalledtheRiverofUpmeadswasbroughtin，thecupbearers，beingsobiddenbefore，broughtitlastofalltoKingPeter，andhestoodupwiththeRiverinhishandandspokealoud，andsaid：
“Lordsandwarriors，andgoodpeopleall，hereIdoyoutowit，thatitisnotbecausemysonRalphhascomehometo-dayandwroughtusagreatdeliverance，andthatmylovehathovercomeme；
itisnotforthiscausethatIhavesethiminmythronethiseven；
butbecauseIseeandperceivethatofallthekindredheismeetesttositthereinsolongasheliveth；unlessperchancethislovelyandvaliantwomanshouldbearhimasonevenbetterthanhimself——
andsomayitbe。ThereforeIdoyoualltowitthatthismanistheKingofUpmeads，andthiswomanishisLadyandQueen；
andsodeemIofhisprowess，andhiswisdom，andkindliness，thatItrowheshallbelordandservantofotherlandsthanUpmeads，andshalldrawthegoodtownsandthekindredsandworthygoodlordsintopeaceandmightandwell-being，suchastheyhavenotknownheretofore。NowwithinthreedaysshallmassbesunginthechoirofSt。Laurence，andthenshallKingRalphswearonthegospelssuchoathsasyewotof，toguardhispeople，andhelptheneedy，andoppressnoman，evenasIhaveswornit。
AndIsaytoyou，thatifIhavekepttheoathtomypower，yetshallhekeepitbetter，asheismightierthanI。
“Furthermore，whenhehathsworn，thenshallthevassalssweartohimaccordingtoancientcustom，tobetruetohimandhardyinalldueservice。
ButsopleaseyouIwillnotabidetillthen，butwillkneeltohimandtohisLadyandQueenhereandnow。”
Evensohedid，andtookRalph’shandinhisandsworeservicetohimsuchaswasdue；andheknelttoUrsulaalso，andbadeherallthanksforwhatshehaddoneinthehelpingofhisson；
andtheyraisedhimupandmademuchofhimandofRalph’smother；
andgreatwasthejoyofallfolkinthehall。
Sothefeastwentonawhiletillthenightgrewold，andfolkmustfarebedward。ThenKingPeterandhiswifebroughtRalphandUrsulatothechamberofthesolar，thekinglychamber，whichwaswellandgoodlydightwithhangingsandafairandgloriousbed，andwasnewlydeckedwithsuchfairflowersasthesummermightfurnish；andatthethresholdKingPeterstayedthemandsaid：
“Kinsman，andthou，dearfriend，thisisbecomeyourduechamberandresting-placewhileyeliveintheworld，andthisnightofallothersitshallbeachamberoflove；foryeare，asitwere，newwedded，sincenowfirstyearecomeamongstthekindredasloverandbeloved；
andthou，Ursula，artnowatlastthebrideofthisancienthouse；
nowtellme，dothitnotlookfriendlyandkindlyonthee？”
“Oyea，yea。”shesaid。“Comethou，mymanandmydarlingandletusbealoneinthemaster-chamberofthisancientHouse。”
ThenRalphdrewheruntohim；andtheoldmanblessedthemandprayedforgoodlyoffspringforthem，thattheHouseofUpmeadsmightlongendure。
Andthusweretheytwoleftaloneamidsttheloveandhopeofthekindred，asersttheylayaloneinthedesert。
CHAPTER32
YetaFewWordsConcerningRalphofUpmeadsCertainitisthatRalphfailednotofhispromisetothegoodPriorofSt。Austin’satWulstead，butwenttoseehimspeedily，andtoldhimallthetaleofhiswanderingsascloselyashemight，andhidnaughtfromhim；which，asyemaywot，wasmorethanoneday’sworkortwoorthree。AndeverwhenRalphthusspokewasabrotheroftheHousesittingwiththePrior，whichbrotherwasalearnedandwisemanandveryspeedyanddeftwithhispen。
Whereforeithasbeendeemednotunlikethatfromthismonk’swritinghascomethemorepartofthetaleabovetold。
Andifitbeso，itiswell。
Furthermore，itistoldofRalphofUpmeadsthatheruledoverhislandsinrightandmight，andsufferednooppressionwithinthem，anddeliveredotherlandsandgoodtownswhentheyfellundertyrantsandoppressors；andforaskindamanashewasinhallandathearth，inthefieldhewasawarriorsowiseanddreadful，thatoftforsooththeverysoundofhisnameandrumourofhiscomingstayedthemarchofhostsandtheravageoffairlands；andnolordwasevermorebeloved。
TillhisdeathdayheheldtheCastleoftheScaur，andcleansedtheWoodPerilousofallstrong-thievesandreivers，sothatnohigh-streetofagoodtownwassaferthanitsgladesanditsbyways。
ThenewfolkoftheBurgoftheFourFrithsmadehimtheirlordandcaptain，andtheChampionsoftheDryTreeobeyedhiminallhonoursolongasanyofthemlasted。HerodetoHighamandofferedhimselfascaptaintotheabbotthereof，anddraveoutthetyrantsandoppressorsthence，andgavebackpeacetotheFrankofHigham。
EverwashetruecaptainandbrothertotheShepherd-folk，andinmanybattlestheyfollowedhim；andwerethereanyscarcityorillhapamongstthem，hehelpedthemtotheuttermostofhispower。
TheWoodDebateablealsoheclearedoffoulrobbersandreivers，androotedoutthelastoftheBurg-devils，anddeliveredthreegoodtownsbeyondthewoodfromthecrueltyoftheoppressor。
OnceineveryyearheandUrsulahiswifevisitedtheLandofAbundance，andhewentintothecastlethereasintoaholyplace，andworshippedthememoryoftheLadywhomhehadlovedsodearly。
Withallthefriendsofhisquesthewaskindandwell-beloved。
Inabouttwoyearsfromthedaywhenherodehome，cametohimtheLordBullofUtterbolwithachosenband，ofwhomwerebothOtterandRedhead。
Thatverydaytheycamehewasaboutputtinghisfootinthestirruptorideagainstthefoemen；soBullandhismenwouldnotgointotheHighHousetoeat，butdrankacupwheretheystood，andturnedandrodewithhimstraightway，anddidhimrightmanlyserviceinbattle；
andwentbackwithhimafterwardstoUpmeads，andabodewithhimthereinfeastingandjoyancefortwomonths’wearing。Andthriceintheyearsthatfollowed，whenhislandsathomeseemedsafestandmostatpeace，Ralphtookachosenband，andUrsulawiththem，andClementwithal，andjourneyedthroughthewastesandthemountainstoUtterbol，andpassedjoyousdayswithhisoldthrallofwar，BullNosy，nowbecomeaverymightymanandthewarderofthepeaceoftheUttermostlands。
ClementandKatherinecameofttotheHighHouse，andKatherineexceedingoften；andshelovedandcherishedUrsulaandlivedlonginhealthofbodyandpeaceofmind。
AllthedaysthatRalphofUpmeadslived，hewasthegoodliestofmen，andnomantolookonhimhadknownitwhenhegrewold；
andwhenhechangedhislife，anexceedingancientman，hewastoallmen’seyesintheveryblossomofhisage。
AstoUrsulahiswife，shewaseverasvaliantandtrueaswhentheymetinthedarknightamidstoftheEastlandwood。Eightgoodlychildrensheborehim，andsawfourgenerationsofherkindredwaxup；
butevenasitwaswithRalph，neverwasshelessgoodlyofbody，nayrather，butfairerthanwhenfirstshecametoUpmeads；
andthedaywhereonanymansawherwasadayofjoyfulfeasttohim，adaytoberememberedforever。OnonedaytheytwodiedandwerelaidtogetherinonetombinthechoirofSt。LaurenceofUpmeads。
ANDHEREENDSTHETALEOFTHEWELLATTHEWORLD’SEND。
End
