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第29章

the wood beyond the world-第29章

小说: the wood beyond the world 字数: 每页4000字

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bewailing; I knew that thou wouldst soon fall asleep; and in sooth I
out…waked thee。〃

Then was she silent again; and he spake not; but looked on her
shyly; and she said; reddening yet more:  〃Furthermore; I must needs
tell thee that I feared to go to thee in the dark night; and my
heart so yearning towards thee。〃

And she hung her head adown; but he said:  〃Is it so indeed; that
thou fearest me?  Then doth that make me afraidafraid of thy nay…
say。  For I was going to entreat thee; and say to thee:  Beloved; we
have now gone through many troubles; let us now take a good reward
at once; and wed together; here amidst this sweet and pleasant house
of the mountains; ere we go further on our way; if indeed we go
further at all。  For where shall we find any place sweeter or
happier than this?〃

But she sprang up to her feet; and stood there trembling before him;
because of her love; and she said:  〃Beloved; I have deemed that it
were good for us to go seek mankind as they live in the world; and
to live amongst them。  And as for me; I will tell thee the sooth; to
wit; that I long for this sorely。  For I feel afraid in the
wilderness; and as if I needed help and protection against my
Mistress; though she be dead; and I need the comfort of many people;
and the throngs of the cities。  I cannot forget her:  it was but
last night that I dreamed (I suppose as the dawn grew a…cold) that I
was yet under her hand; and she was stripping me for the torment; so
that I woke up panting and crying out。  I pray thee be not angry
with me for telling thee of my desires; for if thou wouldst not have
it so; then here will I abide with thee as thy mate; and strive to
gather courage。〃

He rose up and kissed her face; and said:  〃Nay; I had in sooth no
mind to abide here for ever; I meant but that we should feast a
while here; and then depart:  sooth it is; that if thou dreadest the
wilderness; somewhat I dread the city。〃

She turned pale; and said:  〃Thou shalt have thy will; my friend; if
it must be so。  But bethink thee we be not yet at our journey's end;
and may have many things and much strife to endure; before we be at
peace and in welfare。  Now shall I tell theedid I not before?
that while I am a maid untouched; my wisdom; and somedeal of might;
abideth with me; and only so long。  Therefore I entreat thee; let us
go now; side by side; out of this fair valley; even as we are; so
that my wisdom and might may help thee at need。  For; my friend; I
would not that our lives be short; so much of joy as hath now come
into them。〃

〃Yea; beloved;〃 he said; 〃let us on straightway then; and shorten
the while that sundereth us。〃

〃Love;〃 she said; 〃thou shalt pardon me one time for all。  But this
is to be said; that I know somewhat of the haps that lie a little
way ahead of us; partly by my lore; and partly by what I learned of
this land of the wild folk whiles thou wert lying asleep that
morning。〃

So they left that pleasant place by the water; and came into the
open valley; and went their ways through the pass; and it soon
became stony again; as they mounted the bent which went up from out
the dale。  And when they came to the brow of the said bent; they had
a sight of the open country lying fair and joyous in the sunshine;
and amidst of it; against the blue hills; the walls and towers of a
great city。

Then said the Maid:  〃O; dear friend; lo you! is not that our abode
that lieth yonder; and is so beauteous?  Dwell not our friends
there; and our protection against uncouth wights; and mere evil
things in guileful shapes?  O city; I bid thee hail!〃

But Walter looked on her; and smiled somewhat; and said:  〃I rejoice
in thy joy。  But there be evil things in yonder city also; though
they be not fays nor devils; or it is like to no city that I wot of。
And in every city shall foes grow up to us without rhyme or reason;
and life therein shall be tangled unto us。〃

〃Yea;〃 she said; 〃but in the wilderness amongst the devils; what was
to be done by manly might or valiancy?  There hadst thou to fall
back upon the guile and wizardry which I had filched from my very
foes。  But when we come down yonder; then shall thy valiancy prevail
to cleave the tangle for us。  Or at the least; it shall leave a tale
of thee behind; and I shall worship thee。〃

He laughed; and his face grew brighter:  〃Mastery mows the meadow;〃
quoth he; 〃and one man is of little might against many。  But I
promise thee I shall not be slothful before thee。〃



CHAPTER XXXI:  THEY COME UPON NEW FOLK



With that they went down from the bent again; and came to where the
pass narrowed so much; that they went betwixt a steep wall of rock
on either side; but after an hour's going; the said wall gave back
suddenly; and; or they were ware almost; they came on another dale
like to that which they had left; but not so fair; though it was
grassy and well watered; and not so big either。  But here indeed
befell a change to them; for lo! tents and pavilions pitched in the
said valley; and amidst of it a throng of men; mostly weaponed; and
with horses ready saddled at hand。  So they stayed their feet; and
Walter's heart failed him; for he said to himself:  Who wotteth what
these men may be; save that they be aliens?  It is most like that we
shall be taken as thralls; and then; at the best; we shall be
sundered; and that is all one with the worst。

But the Maid; when she saw the horses; and the gay tents; and the
pennons fluttering; and the glitter of spears; and gleaming of white
armour; smote her palms together for joy; and cried out:  〃Here now
are come the folk of the city for our welcoming; and fair and lovely
are they; and of many things shall they be thinking; and a many
things shall they do; and we shall be partakers thereof。  Come then;
and let us meet them; fair friend!〃

But Walter said:  〃Alas! thou knowest not:  would that we might
flee!  But now is it over late; so put we a good face on it; and go
to them quietly; as erewhile we did in the Bear…country。〃

So did they; and there sundered six from the men…at…arms and came to
those twain; and made humble obeisance to Walter; but spake no word。
Then they made as they would lead them to the others; and the twain
went with them wondering; and came into the ring of men…at…arms; and
stood before an old hoar knight; armed all; save his head; with most
goodly armour; and he also bowed before Walter; but spake no word。
Then they took them to the master pavilion; and made signs to them
to sit; and they brought them dainty meat and good wine。  And the
while of their eating arose up a stir about them; and when they were
done with their meat; the ancient knight came to them; still bowing
in courteous wise; and did them to wit by signs that they should
depart:  and when they were without; they saw all the other tents
struck; and men beginning to busy them with striking the pavilion;
and the others mounted and ranked in good order for the road; and
there were two horse…litters before them; wherein they were bidden
to mount; Walter in one; and the Maid in the other; and no otherwise
might they do。  Then presently was a horn blown; and all took to the
road together; and Walter saw betwixt the curtains of the litter
that men…at…arms rode on either side of him; albeit they had left
him his sword by his side。

So they went down the mountain…passes; and before sunset were gotten
into the plain; but they made no stay for nightfall; save to eat a
morsel and drink a draught; going through the night as men who knew
their way well。  As they went; Walter wondered what would betide;
and if peradventure they also would be for offering them up to their
Gods; whereas they were aliens for certain; and belike also
Saracens。  Moreover there was a cold fear at his heart that he
should be sundered from the Maid; whereas their masters now were
mighty men of war; holding in their hands that which all men desire;
to wit; the manifest beauty of a woman。  Yet he strove to think the
best of it that he might。  And so at last; when the night was far
spent; and dawn was at hand; they stayed at a great and mighty gate
in a huge wall。  There they blew loudly on t

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