them; so they departed joyously, howbeit
both Ralph and Ursula felt rather love than loathing for their winter
abode. The day was yet young when they went their ways. Their horses
and all their gear were a great wonder to the young men, for they had
seen no such beasts before: but the elder said that once in his young
days he had led a man to the Well who was riding a horse and was clad
in knightly array.

So they went by ways which were nowise dreadful, though they were void
of men-folk, and in three days' time they were come out of the
mountains, and in three more the said mountains were to behold but a
cloud behind them, and the land was grown goodly, with fair valleys and
little hills, though still they saw no men, and forsooth they went
leisurely, for oxen are but slow-going nags. But when they were gone
eight days from the Valley of Sweet-chestnuts, they came across a flock
of uncouth-looking sheep on a green hill-side, and four folk
shepherding them, two carles to wit, and two queans, like to their
way-leaders, but scarce so goodly, and ruder of raiment. These men
greeted them kindly, and yet with more worship than fellowship, and
they marvelled exceedingly at their horses and weapons. Thence they
passed on, and the next day came into a wide valley, well-grassed and
watered, and wooded here and there; moreover there were cots scattered
about it. There and thenceforth they met men a many, both carles and
queans, and sheep and neat in plenty, and they passed by garths wherein
the young corn was waxing, and vineyards on the hillsides, where the
vines were beginning to grow green. The land seemed as goodly as might
be, and all the folk they met were kind, if somewhat over reverent.

On the evening of that day they came into the town of that folk, which
was but simple, wholly unfenced for war, and the houses but low, and
not great. Yet was there naught of filth or famine, nor any poverty or
misery; and the people were merry-faced and well-liking, and clad
goodly after their fashion in white woollen cloth or frieze. All the
people of the town were come forth to meet them, for runners had gone
before them, and they stood on either side of the way murmuring
greetings, and with their heads bent low in reverence.

Thus rode Ralph and Ursula up to the door of the Temple, or Mote-house,
or Guest-house, for it was all these, a house great, and as fair as
they knew how to make it. Before the door thereof were stan