“Ispakehastily，forIwasashamedofherwords，thoughIonlyhalfunderstoodthem：’Iheartheeanddeemthatthoumockestme：
　　Ihaveneverknownamother；Iambutapoorthrall，agoatherddwellingwithamistressinanookofthiswildwood：
　　Ihaveneverapieceofbread；butastothegoats’milk，thatthoushalthaveatonce。’SoIcalledoneofmygoatstome，forIknewthemall，andmilkedherintoawoodenbowlthatI
　　carriedslungaboutme，andgavetheoldwomantodrink：
　　andshekissedmyhandanddrankandspakeagain，butnolongerinawhiningvoice，likeabeggarbiddingalmsinthestreet，butfrankandfree。
　　“’Damsel，’shesaid，’nowIseethatthysoulgoeswiththybody，andthatthouartkindandproudatonce。Andwhateverthouart，itisnomocktosayofthee，thatthouartasfairasthefairest；
　　andIthinkthatthiswillfollowthee，thathenceforthnomanwhoseeththeeoncewillforgettheeever，orceasetolongforthee：
　　ofasuretythisistheyweird。NowIseethatthouknowestnomoreoftheworldanditswaysthanoneofthehindsthatruninthesewoods。
　　Soifthouwilt，Iwillsitdownbytheeandtelltheemuchthatshallavailthee；andthouinthyturnshalttellmeallthetaleconcerningthydwellingandthyservice，andthelike。’
　　“Isaid，Imaynot，Idurstnot；Iserveamightymistress，andshewouldslaymeifsheknewthatIhadspokentothee；
　　andwoe’sme！Ifearthatevennowshewillnotfailtoknowit。
　　Departinpeace。”
　　“’Nay，’shesaid，’thouneedestnottellme，forIhaveaninklingofherandherways：butIwillgivetheewisdom，andnotsellittheeataprice。
　　Sitdownthen，fairchild，onthisflowerygrass，andIwillsitbesidetheeandtelltheeofmanythingsworththineheeding。’
　　Sotherewesatawhile，andingoodsoothshetoldmemuchoftheworldwhichIhadnotyetseen，ofitsfairnessanditsfoulness；
　　oflifeanddeath，anddesireanddisappointment，anddespair；
　　sothatwhenshehaddone，ifIwerewiserthanerst，Iwasperchancelittlemorejoyous；andyetIsaidtomyselfthatcomewhatwouldI
　　wouldbeapartofallthat。
　　“Butatlastshesaid：’Lothedayiswaning，andthouhasttwothingstodo；eithertogohometothymistressatonce，orfleeawayfromherbythewaythatIshallshowthee；andifthouwiltberuledbyme，andcanstbearthythralldomyetalittlewhilethouwiltnotfleeatonce，butabidetillthouhastseenmeagain。
　　Andsinceitisherethatthouhastmetme，heremaystthoumeetmeagain；
　　forthedaysarelongnow，andthoumaysteasilywinthywayhitherbeforenoononanyday。’
　　“SoItiedmygoatskinshoestomyfeet，anddravemygoatstogether，andwewentuptogetheroutofthedale，andwereinthewide-spreadingplainofthewaste；andthecarlinesaid：
　　’Dostthouknowthequartersoftheheavenbythesun？’
　　’Yea，’saidI。’Then，’quothshe，’whensothoudesiresttodepartandcomeintotheworldoffolkthatIhavetoldtheeof，setthyfacealittlenorthofwest，andthoushaltfallinwithsomethingorsomebodybeforelong；butbespeedyonthatdayasthouartlight-footed，andmakeallthewaythoucanstbeforethymistresscomestoknowofthydeparture；
　　fornotlightlywillanyoneletloosesuchathrallasthou。’
　　“Ithankedher，andshewentherwaysoverthewaste，Iwottednotwhither，andIdravemygoatshomeasspeedilyasImight；themistressmeddlednotwithmebywordordeed，thoughIwasshortofmyduetaleofyarn。
　　ThenextdayIlongedsoretogotothedaleandmeetthecarlinebutdurstnot，andthenextdayIfaredinlikeways；butthethirddayIlongedsotogo，thatmyfeetmustneedstakemethere，whatsoevermightbefall。
　　AndwhenIhadbeeninthedalealittle，thithercamethecarline，andsatdownbymeandfelltoteachingmewisdom，andshowedmelettersandtoldmewhattheywere，andIlearnedlikealittleladinthechorister’sschool。
　　“ThereafterImasteredmyfearofmymistressandwenttothatdaledaybyday，andlearnedofthecarline；
　　thoughatwhilesIwonderedwhenmymistresswouldletlooseherfuryuponme；forIcalledtomindthethreatshehadmadetomeonthedaywhensheofferedupmywhitegoat。
　　AndImadeupmymindtothis，thatifshefelluponmewithdeadlyintentIwoulddomybesttoslayherbeforesheshouldslayme。
　　Butsoitwas，thatnowagainsheheldherhandfrommybody，andscarcecastawordatmeever，butgloomedatme，andfaredasifhatredofmehadgrowngreatinherheart。
　　“Sothedayswentby，andmyfeethadwornapaththroughthewildernesstotheDaleofLore，andMayhadmeltedintoJune，andthelatterdaysofJunewerecome。AndonMidsummerDayIwentmywaystothedaleaccordingtomywont，when，asIasdrivingonmygoatshastilyIsawabrightthingcomingovertheheathtowardme，andIwentonmywaytomeetit，forIhadnofearnow，exceptwhatfearofmymistresslingeredinmyheart；nay，IlookedthateverythingIsawofnewshouldaddsomejoytomyheart。
　　SopresentlyIsawthatitwasaweaponedmanridingawhitehorse，andanonhehadcomeuptomeanddrawnreinbeforeme。
　　Iwonderedexceedinglyatbeholdinghimandtheheartleapedwithinmeathisbeauty；forthoughthecarlinehadtoldmeofthelovelinessofthesonsofmen，thatwasbutwordsandIknewnotwhattheymeant；
　　andtheothersthatIhadseenwerenotyoungmenorgoodly，andthoselast，asItoldthee，Icouldscarceseetheirfaces。
　　“AndthisonewasevenfairerthanthedeadwomanthatIhadburied，whosefacewaswornwithtoilandtrouble，asnowIcalledtomind。
　　Hewascladinbrightshiningarmourwithagaysurcoatofgreen，embroideredwithflowersoverit；hehadalightsalletonhishead，andtheyellowlocksofhishairfloweddownfromunder，andfellonhisshoulders：hisfacewasasbeardlessasthine，dearfriend，butnotclearbrownliketothinebutwhiteandredlikeablossom。”
　　Ralphspakeandsaid：“Belikeitwasawoman；“andhisvoicesoundedloudinthequietplace。Shesmiledonhimandkissedhischeek，andsaid：“Nay，nay，dearChampion，itisnotso。
　　Godresthissoul！manyayearhehasbeendead。”
　　SaidRalph：“Manyayear！whatmeanestthou？”“Ah！”shesaid，“fearnot！asIamnow，soshallIbefortheemanyayear。
　　WasnotthyfearthatIshouldvanishawayorchangeintosomethingunsightlyandgruesome？Fearnot，Isay；amInotawoman，andthineown？”
　　Andagainsheflushedbrightred，andhergreyeyeslightened，andshelookedathimallconfusedandshamefaced。
　　Hetookherfacebetweenhishandsandkissedheroverandover；thenhelethergo，andsaid：“Ihavenofear：
　　goonwiththytale，forthewordsthereofareasthykissestome，andtheembracingofthinehandsandthybody：
　　tellon，Ipraythee。”Shetookhishandinhersandspake，tellinghertaleasbefore。
　　“Friend，well-belovedforever！Thisfairyoungknightlookedonme，andashelooked，hisfaceflushedasredasminedidevennow。
　　AndItelltheethatmyheartdancedwithjoyasIlookedonhim，andhespakenotforalittlewhile，andthenhesaid：
　　’Fairmaiden，canstthoutellmeofanywhowilltellmeawordofthewaytotheWellattheWorld’sEnd？’Isaidtohim，’Nay，Ihaveheardthewordonceandnomore，Iknownottheway：
　　andIamsorrythatIcannotdofortheethatwhichthouwouldest。’
　　AndthenIspakeagain，andtoldhimthatheshouldbynomeansstopatourhouse，andltoldhimwhatitwaslike，sothathemightgiveitthegoby。Isaid，’Evenifthouhasttoturnbackagain，andfailtofindthethingthouseekest，yetIbeseechtheeridenotintothattrap。’
　　“Hesatstillonhissaddleawhile，staringatmeandIathim；
　　andthenhethankedme，butwithsobadagrace，thatIwonderedofhimifhewereangry；andthenheshookhisrein，androdeoffbriskly，andIlookedafterhimawhile，andthenwentonmyway；
　　butIhadgonebutashortwhile，whenIheardhorse-hoofsbehindme，andIturnedandlooked，andlo！itwastheknightcomingbackagain。
　　SoIstayedandabidedhim；andwhenhecameuptome，heleaptfromhishorseandstoodbeforemeandsaid：’Imustneedsseetheeonceagain。’
　　“Istoodandtrembledbeforehim，andlongedtotouchhim。
　　Andagainhespake，breathlessly，asonewhohasbeenrunning：
　　’Imustdepart，forIhaveathingtodothatImustdo；
　　butIlongsorelytotouchthee，andkissthee；yetunlessthoufreelywillestit，Iwillrefrainme。’ThenIlookedathimandsaid，’Iwillitfreely。’Thenhecamecloseuptome，andputhishandonmyshoulderandkissedmycheek；
　　butIkissedhislips，andthenhetookmeinhisarms，andkissedmeandembracedme；andthereinthatplace，andinalittlewhile，welovedeachothersorely。
　　“Butinawhilehesaidtome：’Imustdepart，forIamasonewhomtheAvengerofBloodfolloweth；andnowIwillgivetheethis，notsomuchasagift，butasatokenthatwehavemetinthewilderness，thouandI。’Therewithheputhishandtohisneck，andtookfromitthisnecklacewhichthouseesthere，andIsawthatitwaslikethatwhichmymistresstookfromtheneckofthedeadwoman。
　　Andnolessisitliketotheonethatthouwearest，Ralph。
　　“ItookitinmyhandandweptthatImightnothelphim。
　　Andhesaid：’Itislittlelikelythatweshallmeetagain；
　　butbythetokenofthiscollarthoumayestwotthatIeverlongfortheetillIdie：forthoughIamaking’sson，thisisthedearestofmypossessions。’Isaid：
　　’Thouartyoung，andIamyoung；mayhappenweshallmeetagain：
　　butthoushaltknowthatIambutathrall，agoatherd。’
　　ForIknewbywhattheoldwomantoldmeofsomewhatofthemightinessofthekingsoftheworld。’Yea，’hesaid，andsmiledmostsweetly，’thatiseasytobeseen：
　　yetifIlive，asIthinknottodo，thoushaltsitwheregreatmenshallkneeltothee；notasIkneelnowforlove，andthatImaykissthykneesandthyfeet，butbecausetheyneedsmustworshipthee。’
　　“Therewithhearosetohisfeetandleaptonhishorse，androdehiswaysspeedily：andIwentuponmywaywithmygoats，andcamedownintotheDaleofLore，andfoundtheoldwomanabidingme；
　　andshecametome，andtookmebythehands，andtouchedthecollarforIhaddoneitaboutmyneck，andsaid：
　　“’Dearchild，thouneedestnottotellmethytale，forIhaveseenhim。
　　Butifthoumustneedswearthisnecklace，Imustgivetheeagifttogowithit。Butfirstsitdownbytheoldcarlineawhileandtalkwithher；
　　formeseemethitwillbebutafewdayserethoushaltdepartfromthisuttermostwilderness，andthewoodsbeforethemountains。
　　“SoIsatdownbyher，andinspiteofherwordItoldherallthathadbefallenbetwixtmeandtheking’sson：formyheartwastoofullthatI
　　mightrefrainme。Shenoddedherheadfromtimetotime，butsaidnaught，tillIhadmadeanend：andthenfelltotellingmeofmanymattersformyavail；butyetaroseearlierthanherwontwas；andwhenwewereaboutsunderingonthepathwhichIhadtroddenabovetheDale，shesaid：
　　’NowmustIgivetheethatgifttogoalongwiththegiftofthelover，theKing’sson；andIthinkthouwiltfinditofavailbeforemanydaysaregoneby。’Therewithshetookfromherpouchastrongsharpknife，anddrewitfromthesheath，andflasheditintheafternoonsun，andgaveittome；andItookitandlaiditinmybosomandthankedher；
　　forIthoughtthatIunderstoodhermeaning，andhowitwouldavailme。
　　ThenIwentdrivingmygoatshomespeedily，sothatthesunwasbarelysetwhenIcametothegarth；andagreathorrorratherthanafearofmymistresswasonme；andlo！shestoodinthedoorofthehousegazingdownthegarthandthewoodlandbeyond，asthoughshewerelookingformycoming：
　　andwhenhereyeslightedonme，shescowled，anddrewherlipsbackfromherteethandclenchedherhandswithfury，thoughtherewasnoughtinthem；
　　andshewasatallandstrongwoman，thoughnowgrowingsomewhatold：
　　butasforme，Ihadunsheathedthecarline’sgiftbeforeIcametothegarth，andnowIhelditbehindmybackinmylefthand。
　　“Ihadstayedmyfeetsomesixpacesfromthethreshold，andmyheartbeatquick，butthesickfearandcoweringhadleftme，thoughthehorrorofhergrewinmyheart。Mygoatshadallgoneoffquietlytotheirhouse，andtherewasnothingbetwixtmeandher。
　　Inclearingfrommysleevethearmofmewhichheldtheknife，theroughclaspwhichfastenedmyraimenttogetherattheshoulderhadgivenway，andtheclothhadfallenandleftmybosombare，sothatIknewthatthecollarwasclearlytobeseen。Sowestoodamoment，andIhadnowords，butshespakeatlastinahard，snarlingvoice，suchassheoftenestusedtome，butworse。
　　“’Nowatlastthetimehascomewhenthouartofnomoreusetome；forIcanseetheewhatthouhastgotforthyself。
　　ButknownowthatthouhastnotyetdrunkoftheWellattheWorld’sEnd，andthatitwillnotavailtheetofleeoutofthiswood；foraslongasIlivethouwiltnotbeabletogetoutofreachofmyhand；andIshalllivelong：
　　Ishalllivelong。Come，then，andgivethyselfuptome，thatImaydealwiththeeasIthreatenedwhenIslewthyfriendthewhitegoat；for，indeed，Iknewthenthatitwouldcometothis。’