the true,
Of the brave that forbore that the brethren might do.

When this was sung then each man went home to his house. But it is
said that these staves were made by Osberne, and that he taught them
to the Western men as well as to the Eastern.

Chapter XXXVII. Osberne Takes Leave of Wethermel

The next day at even, when all the folk were gathered before the porch
of the hall at Wethermel, making the most of that fair time, Osberne
craved silence a while, and when men were hushed he spake: "Kinsmen
and friends, I make it known to you that I must needs depart from you
tomorrow morning, though wheresoever I may be I shall ever hold in my
heart the hope of coming back to Wethermel; for it will be well enough
known to most of you that I love the Dale with great love, and this
stead in especial. But now I may not abide here longer, to such a pass
are things come with me.

"The story of the wherefore of this were long to tell if I had the
heart to tell it, which I have not. But this much may I say, that I go
to seek a life which will lead me back to Wethermel, it may be in joy,
it may be in sorrow, but in either case with such a heart in me as I
may live the rest of my days in the Dale, doing all that is due to the
kindred and the folk. Now it will be of no avail for any to strive to
put me from this mind, or to hinder me in my purpose, for go I must
and will. But this even, as we sit amidst the summer, and our hearts
are softened by beholding the peace and abundance of the Dale, and
thinking of all days that have been, and our fathers that have lived
and died here, I will ask you all and each one of you to say
straightway if in any wise I have wronged or hurt you; and if I have,
then will I make atonement to my power: so that since I may not bear
away with me Wethermel and its folk, I may at least bear away the love
of it."

When they heard these words of his they were mostly exceeding
downcast, for in sooth to every one of them his fellowship seemed both
a joy and a safeguard; and of the women, some were moved to tears, let
alone his grandam and his foster-mother. Albeit he had told his mind
beforehand to Stephen the Eater, who had dight him all things ready
for departure.

Now there was neither carle nor quean amongst them all who had a word
to say against him, or might call to mind aught but kindness at his
hands; and one after another they all said so much. But when they were
done, and there was silenc