TheyCometotheLandoftheInnocentFolkWhenitwasmorningtheyspeedilygatthemreadyfortheroad，whereastheyhadlittletotakewiththem；sotheydepartedjoyously，howbeitbothRalphandUrsulafeltratherlovethanloathingfortheirwinterabode。Thedaywasyetyoungwhentheywenttheirways。
　　Theirhorsesandalltheirgearwereagreatwondertotheyoungmen，fortheyhadseennosuchbeastsbefore：buttheeldersaidthatonceinhisyoungdayshehadledamantotheWellwhowasridingahorseandwascladinknightlyarray。
　　Sotheywentbywayswhichwerenowisedreadful，thoughtheywerevoidofmen-folk，andinthreedays’timetheywerecomeoutofthemountains，andinthreemorethesaidmountainsweretobeholdbutacloudbehindthem，andthelandwasgrowngoodly，withfairvalleysandlittlehills，thoughstilltheysawnomen，andforsooththeywentleisurely，foroxenarebutslow-goingnags。
　　ButwhentheyweregoneeightdaysfromtheValleyofSweet-chestnuts，theycameacrossaflockofuncouth-lookingsheeponagreenhill-side，andfourfolkshepherdingthem，twocarlestowit，andtwoqueans，liketotheirway-leaders，butscarcesogoodly，andruderofraiment。
　　Thesemengreetedthemkindly，andyetwithmoreworshipthanfellowship，andtheymarvelledexceedinglyattheirhorsesandweapons。
　　Thencetheypassedon，andthenextdaycameintoawidevalley，well-grassedandwatered，andwoodedhereandthere；moreovertherewerecotsscatteredaboutit。Thereandthenceforththeymetmenamany，bothcarlesandqueans，andsheepandneatinplenty，andtheypassedbygarthswhereintheyoungcornwaswaxing，andvineyardsonthehillsides，wherethevineswerebeginningtogrowgreen。
　　Thelandseemedasgoodlyasmightbe，andallthefolktheymetwerekind，ifsomewhatoverreverent。
　　Ontheeveningofthatdaytheycameintothetownofthatfolk，whichwasbutsimple，whollyunfencedforwar，andthehousesbutlow，andnotgreat。Yetwastherenaughtoffilthorfamine，noranypovertyormisery；andthepeopleweremerry-facedandwell-liking，andcladgoodlyaftertheirfashioninwhitewoollenclothorfrieze。
　　Allthepeopleofthetownwerecomeforthtomeetthem，forrunnershadgonebeforethem，andtheystoodoneithersideofthewaymurmuringgreetings，andwiththeirheadsbentlowinreverence。
　　ThusrodeRalphandUrsulauptothedooroftheTemple，orMote-house，orGuest-house，foritwasallthese，ahousegreat，andasfairastheyknewhowtomakeit。
　　BeforethedoorthereofwerestandingtheeldersoftheFolk；
　　andwhentheydrewrein，theeldestandmostreverendofthesecameforthandspakeinacheerfulvoice，yetsolemnly：
　　“WelcomeandthricewelcometotheSeekersafterlengthofdaysandhappytimes，andtheloving-kindnessoftheFolksoftheEarth！”
　　Thenalltheeldersgatheredaboutthem，andbadethemlightdownandbeatrestamongstthem，andtheymademuchofthemandbroughtthemintotheMote-house，where-inwerebothwomenandmenfairandstately，andthementookRalphbythehandandthewomenUrsula，andbroughtthemintochamberswheretheybathedthemanddidofftheirwayfaringraiment，andcladtheminwhitewoollengownsofwebexceedingfine，andfragrantwithal。
　　Thentheycrownedthemwithflowers，andledthembackintothehall，whereasnowwasmuchfolkgathered，andtheysetthemdownonadaisasthoughtheyhadbeenkings，orrathergods；
　　andwhentheybeheldthemtheresofairandlovely，theycriedoutforjoyofthem，andbadethemhailoftandoft。
　　Therethenweretheyfeastedbythatkindfolk，andwhenmeatwasdonecertainyouthsandmaidensfelltosingingsongsverysweetly；
　　andthewordsofthesongsweresimpleandharmless，andconcerningthefairnessoftheearthandthehappylovesofthecreaturesthatdwelltherein。
　　Thereafterasthenightaged，theywereshowntoasleepingchamber，whichalbeitnotrichlydecked，orplenishedwithpreciousthings，wasmostdaintyclean，andsweetsmelling，andstrewnwithflowers，sothatthenightwassweettotheminachamberoflove。
　　CHAPTER16
　　TheyCometotheHouseoftheSorceressOnthemorrowthekindpeopledelayedthemlittle，thoughtheysorrowedfortheirdeparture，andbeforenoonweretheiroldway-leadersreadyforthem；
　　andtheoldmanandhistwograndsonsforsuchtheywere
　　weremuchhonouredofthesimplepeoplefortheirway-leadingoftheHeavenlyFolk；forsotheycalledRalphandUrsula。
　　Sotheygatthemtothewayinsuchlikeguiseasbefore，onlytheyhadwiththemfivesumpteroxeninsteadoftwo；
　　fortheoldmantoldthemthatnotonlywastheirwaylonger，butalsotheymustneedspassthroughaterriblewaste，whereinwasnaughtfortheiravail，neitherman，norbeast，norherb。
　　Evensotheyfounditashesaid；forafterthefirstday’sridefromthetowntheycametotheedgeofthissamewaste，andonthefourthdayweredeepintheheartofit：
　　adesertitwas，ratherrockyandstonyandsandythanmountainous，thoughtheyhadhillstocrossalso：
　　withaltherewasbutlittlewaterthere，andthatfoulandstinking。
　　Longlastedthiswaste，andRalphthoughtindeedthatithadbeenhardtocross，hadnottheirway-leadersbeen；
　　thereforehemademarksandsignsbythewayside，andtooknoteofthebearingsofrocksandmoundsagainstthedayofreturn。
　　Twelvedaystheyrodethiswaste，andonthethirteenthitbegantomendsomewhat，andtherewasalittlegrass，andsweetwaters，andtheysawaheadtheswellinghillsofagreatwoodland，albeittheyhadtostrugglethroughmarshlandandlowscrubbythicketforadaylonger，orevertheygottotheaforesaidtrees，whichatfirstwerenaughtbutpines；butthesefailedinawhile，andtheyrodeagrasswastenearlytreeless，butsomewhatwellwatered，wheretheygatthemgoodstoreofvenison。
　　Thereaftertheycameonwoodsofoakandsweet-chestnut，withhereandthereabeech-wood。
　　Longandlongtheyrodethewoodland，butitwashardonMaywhentheyenteredit，anditwaspleasanttherein，andwhatwithonething，whatwithanother，theyhadabundantlivelihoodthere。
　　YetwasJuneatitsfullwhenatlasttheycamewithinsightoftheHouseoftheSorceress，onthehottestofafairafternoon。
　　AnditwasevenasRalphhadseenitpicturedinthearrasofthehalloftheCastleofAbundance；alittlehousebuiltafterthefashionofhousesinhisownlandofthewest；
　　thethatchwastrim，andthewindowsanddoorswereunbroken，andthegarthwaswhole，andthegoatsfeedingtherein，andthewheatwastallandblossominginthelittlecloses，whereashehadlookedtoseeallbrokendownandwild，andastothehouse，ameregrass-grownheap，oratthemostabrokengablefastcrumblingaway。
　　Thenwaxedhisheartsorewiththememoryofthatpassedtime，andthesweetnessofhisshort-livedlove，thoughherefrainedhimallhemight：yetforsoothUrsulalookedonhimanxiously，somuchhisfacewaschangedbythethoughtsofhisheart。
　　Buttheelderoftheway-leaderssawthathewasmoved，anddeemedthathewaswonderingatthathousesotrimandorderlyamidstthewildwood，sohesaid：“HerealsodoweafterourbehesttothatmarvellousandlovelyLady，thatwesuffernotthishousetogotoruin：
　　everaresomeofourfolkhere，andeveryyearaboutthisseasonwesendtwoormoretotaketheplacesofthosewhohavedweltintheHouseyear-long：soeveristheresomeonetokeepallthingstrim。
　　Butastostrangers，IhaveneverinmylifeseenanySeekeroftheWellherein，saveonce，andthatwasanoldhoarmanliketome，savethathewasfeeblerinallwisethanIbe。”
　　NowRalphheardhimtalking，yetnotedhiswordsbutlittle；
　　foritwaswithhimasifallthegriefofheartwhichhehadpennedbackforsolongawhileswelledupwithinhimandburstitsbounds；
　　andheturnedtowardUrsulaandtheireyesmet，andshelookedshyandanxiousonhimandhemightnolongerrefrainhimself，butputhishandstohisfacefortheyhadnowdrawnreinatthegarth-gate
　　andbrakeoutaweeping，andweptlongforthefriendwhosefeethadwornthatpathsooften，andwhoseheart，thoughsheweredead，hadbroughtthemthitherfortheirthriving；andforloveandsorrowofhimUrsulaweptalso。
　　Buttheoldmanandhisgrandsonsturnedtheirheadsawayfromhisweeping，andgotofftheirhorses，andwentuptothehouse-door，wherebywerenowstandingacarleandaqueanoftheirpeople。
　　ButRalphslowlygatoffhishorseandstoodbyUrsulawhowasonthegroundalready，butwouldnottouchher，forhewasashamed。
　　Butshelookedonhimkindlyandsaid：“Dearfriend，thereisnoneedforshame；forthoughIbeyoung，Iknowhowgrievousitiswhenthedeadthatwehavelovedcomeacrossourways，andwemaynotspeaktothem，northeytous。SoIwillbutbidtheebecomfortedandabideinthyloveforthelivingandthedead。”
　　Histearsbrakeoutagainatthatword，forhewasbutyoung，andforawhiletherewasalullinthestrifethathadbesethisdays。
　　Butafteralittlehelookedup，anddashedthetearsfromhiseyesandsmiledonUrsulaandsaid：“Thetaleshetoldmeofthisplace，thesweetnessofitcamebackuponme，andImightnotforbear。”
　　Shesaid：“Ofriend，thouartkind，andIlovethee。”
　　Sothentheyjoinedhandsandwentthroughthegarthtogether，anduptothedoor，wherestoodthewardens，who，whentheysawthemturningthither，camespeedilydownthepathtothem，andwouldhavekneltinworshiptothem；
　　buttheywouldnotsufferit，butembracedandkissedthem，andthankedthemmanytimesfortheirwelcome。Thesaidwardens，bothcarleandquean，weregoodlyfolkofmiddleage，stalwart，andkindofface。
　　Sothentheywentintothehousetogether，andenteredintotheself-samechamber，whereofoldtheLadyofAbundancehadsickenedforfearoftheSorceresssittingnakedatherspell-work。
　　Greatjoytheymadetogether，andthewardenssetmeatanddrinkbeforetheguests，andtheyateanddrankandwereofgoodcheer。
　　ButtheelderwhohadbroughtthemfromChestnut-dalesaid：
　　“Dearfriends，Ihavetoldyouthatthesetwoyoungmenaremygrand-children，andtheyarethesonsofthismanandwomanwhomyesee；
　　forthemanismyson。Andsoitis，thatamongstusthecareoftheQuestoftheWellattheWorld’sEndhathforlongbeentheheritageofourblood，goingwithusfromfathertoson。
　　Thereforeisitnaughtwonderful，thoughIhavebeensundrytimesatthishouse，andhavelearnedabouttheplaceallthatmaybelearned。FormyfatherbroughtmehitherwhenIwasyetaboy；
　　thattimeitwasthatIsawthelastmanofwhomweknowforsurethathedrankoftheWateroftheWell，andhewasthatoldhoarmanlikeuntome，but，asIsaid，farweakerinallwise；
　　butwhenhecamebacktousfromtheWellhewasstrongandstalwart，andabettermanthanIamnow；andIheardhimtellhisnametomyfather，thathewascalledtheSageofSwevenham。”
　　RalphlookedonUrsulaandsaid：“Yea，father，anditwasthroughhimthatwehadourloreconcerningthewayhither；
　　anditwashethatbadeusabideyourcomingintherock-houseoftheValeofSweet-chestnuts。”
　　“Thenheisalivestill。”saidtheelder。SaidRalph：
　　“Yea，andasfairandstronganoldmanasyemaylightlysee。”
　　“Yea，yea。”saidtheelder，“andyetfiftyyearsagohiscourseseemedrun。”
　　ThensaidRalph：“Tellme，father，havenoneofyourownfolksoughttotheWellattheWorld’sEnd？”“Nay，none。”saidtheelder。
　　SaidRalph：“Thatisstrange，whereasyearesonighthereto，andhavesuchabundantloreconcerningtheway。”
　　“Son。”saidtheelder，“trueitisthatthewaterofthatWellshallcauseamantothriveinallways，andtolivethroughmanygenerationsofmen，maybe，inhonourandgood-liking；
　　butitmaynotkeepanymanaliveforever；forsohavetheGodsgivenusthegiftofdeathlestwewearyoflife。
　　Nowourfolklivewellandhale，andwithoutthesicknessandpestilence，suchasIhaveheardoftbefallfolkinotherlands：
　　evenasIheardtheSageofSwevenhamsay，andIwonderedathiswords。Ofstrifeandofwaralsoweknownaught：
　　nordowedesireaughtwhichwemaynoteasilyattainto。
　　Thereforewelivelong，andwefeartheGodsifweshouldstrivetolivelonger，lesttheyshouldbringuponuswarandsickness，andover-weeningdesire，andwearinessoflife。
　　MoreoveritislittlethatallofusshouldseektotheWellattheWorld’sEnd；andthosefewthatsoughtanddrankshouldbestrongerandwiserthantheothers，andshouldmakethemselvesearthlygods，and，maybe，shouldtormenttheothersofusandmaketheirlivesaveryburdentobeborne。
　　Ofsuchmattersaretheretalescurrentamongstusthatsoithathbeenofyoreandinotherlands；andillitwereifsuchtimescamebackuponus。”
　　Ralphhunghisheadandwassilent；forthejoyoftheQuestseemeddyingoutastheoldman’swordsdroppedslowlyfromhismouth。
　　ButhesmileduponRalphandwenton：“Butforyou，guests，itisotherwise，foryeoftheWorldbeyondtheMountainsarestrongerandmoregodlikethanwe，asalltalestell；
　　andyewearawayyourlivesdesiringthatwhichyemayscarceget；
　　andyesetyourheartsonhighthings，desiringtobemastersoftheveryGods。Thereforeyeknowsicknessandsorrow，andoftyediebeforeyourtime，sothatyemustdepartandleaveundonethingswhichyedeemyewereborntodo；
　　whichtoallmenisgrievous。Andbecauseofallthisyedesirehealingandthriving，whethergoodcomeofit，orill。