e up thither these old folk
embraced them and kissed them and led them up to the table. Then Ralph
bade Ursula sit by his mother, and made him ready to sit by his father
in all love and duty. But King Peter stayed him and said: "Nay, dear
son, not there, but here shalt thou sit, thou saviour of Upmeads and
conqueror of the hearts of men; this is a little land, but therein
shall be none above thee." And therewith he set Ralph down in the
throne, and Ralph, turning to his left hand, saw that it was Ursula,
and not his mother, who sat beside him. But at the sight of these two
in the throne the glad cries and shouts shook the very timbers of the
roof, and the sun sank under while yet they cried hail to the King of
Upmeads.

Then were the lights brought and the supper, and all men fell to feast,
and plenteous was the wine in the hall; and sure since first men met to
eat together none have been merrier than they.

But now when men had well eaten, and the great cup called the River of
Upmeads was brought in, the cupbearers, being so bidden before, brought
it last of all to King Peter, and he stood up with the River in his
hand and spoke aloud, and said: "Lords and warriors, and good people
all, here I do you to wit, that it is not because my son Ralph has come
home to-day and wrought us a great deliverance, and that my love hath
overcome me; it is not for this cause that I have set him in my throne
this even; but because I see and perceive that of all the kindred he is
meetest to sit therein so long as he liveth; unless perchance this
lovely and valiant woman should bear him a son even better than
himself--and so may it be. Therefore I do you all to wit that this
man is the King of Upmeads, and this woman is his Lady and Queen; and
so deem I of his prowess, and his wisdom, and kindliness, that I trow
he shall be lord and servant of other lands than Upmeads, and shall
draw the good towns and the kindreds and worthy good lords into peace
and might and well-being, such as they have not known heretofore. Now
within three days shall mass be sung in the choir of St. Laurence, and
then shall King Ralph swear on the gospels such oaths as ye wot of, to
guard his people, and help the needy, and oppress no man, even as I
have sworn it. And I say to you, that if I have kept the oath to my
power, yet shall he keep it better, as he is mightier than I.

"Furthermore, when he hath sworn, then shall the vassals swear to him
according