timetheywereatthemountain-top，andcomingoverthebrowbeheldbeneaththemfairgreenslopesbesprinkledwithtrees，andbeyondthem，somethreeorfourmilesaway，thebluelandlessseaandoneitherhandofthemwastheseaalso，sothattheywerenigh-handattheendingofagreatness，andtherewasnaughtbeyondit；andnaughttodoiftheymissedtheWell，buttoturnbackbythewaytheyhadcome。
　　Nowwhentheysawthistheywereexceedinglymovedandtheylookedononeanother，andeachsawthattheotherwaspale，withglisteningeyes，sincetheyweretocometotheverypointoftheirdoom，andthatitshouldbeseenwhethertherewerenosuchthingastheWellinalltheearth，butthattheyhadbeenchasingafair-huedcloud；orelsetheirQuestshouldbeachievedandtheyshouldhavetheworldbeforethem，andtheyhappyandmighty，andofgreatworshipamidstallmen。
　　Littletheytarried，butgatthemdownthesteepofthemountain，andsolowerandlowertilltheywerecometogroundnighlevel；
　　andthenatlastitwasbutthus，thatwithoutanygreatrock-wallorgirdleofmarvellousandstrangeland，therewasanendofearth，withitsgrassandtreesandstreams，andabeginningoftheocean，whichstretchedawaychangeless，anditmightbeforever。
　　Wherethelandendedtherewasbutacliffoflessthananhundredfeetabovetheeddyingofthesea；andontheverypointofthenesswasalowgreentoftwithasquarestonesetatopofit，whereonastheydrewnightheysawthetokengraven，yeaoneachfacethereof。
　　Thentheywentalongtheedgeofthecliffamileoneachsideofthesaidtoft，andthenfindingnaughtelsetonote，naughtsavethegrassandthesea，theycamebacktothatplaceofthetoken，andsatdownonthegrassofthetoft。
　　Itwasnowevening，andthesunwassettingbeyondthem，buttheycouldbeholdakindofstaircutinthesideofthecliff，andonthefirststepwhereofwasthetokendone；whereforetheyknewthattheywerebiddentogodownbythesaidstair；
　　butitseemedtoleadnowhither，savestraightintothesea。
　　AndwhilesitcameintoRalph’smindthatthiswasnaughtbutamock，asiftobidthehaplessseekerscastthemselvesdownfromtheearth，andbedonewithitforever。
　　Butinanycasetheymightnottrytheadventureofthatstairbythefailinglight，andwiththenightlongbeforethem。
　　Sowhentheyhadhoppledtheirhorses，andleftthemtograzeattheirwillonthesweetgrassofthemeadow，theylaidthemdownbehindthegreentoft，and，beingforwearied，itwasnolongtimeeretheytwainsleptfastattheuttermostendoftheworld。
　　NowTheyDrinkoftheWellattheWorld’sEndRalphawokefromsomefoolishmorningdreamofUpmeads，wonderingwherehewas，orwhatfamiliarvoicehadcriedouthisname：thenheraisedhimselfonhiselbow，andsawUrsulastandingbeforehimwithflushedfaceandsparklingeyes，andshewaslookingoutseaward，whileshecalledonhisname。
　　Sohesprangupandstrovewiththeslumberthatstillhungabouthim，andashiseyesclearedhelookeddown，andsawthatthesea，whichlastnighthadwashedthefaceofthecliff，hadnowebbedfarout，andleftbarebetwixtthebillowsandthecliffsomehalfmileofblacksand，withrocksofthelikehuerisingoutofithereandthere。
　　Butjustbelowtheplacewheretheystood，rightupagainstthecliff，wasbuildedbyman’shandofhugestonesagarthofpound，thewallwhereofwassomesevenfeethigh，andthepoundwithinthewalloffortyfeetspaceendlongandoverthwart；
　　andthesaidpoundwasfilledwiththewatersofaspringthatcameforthfromthefaceofthecliffastheydeemed，thoughfromabovetheymightnotseetheissuethereof；
　　butthewaterranseawardfromthepoundbysomewayunseen，andmadeawidestreamthroughtheblacksandoftheforeshore：
　　buteverthegreatbasinfilledsomewhatfasterthanitvoided，sothatitranovertheliponallsides，makingathinveiloverthehugeashlar-stonesofthegarth。
　　Thedaywasbrightandfairwithnowind，savelightairsplayingaboutfromthewestwardort，andallthingsgleamedandglitteredinthesun。
　　Ralphstoodstillamoment，andthenstretchedabroadhisarms，andwithagreatsobcastthemroundaboutthebodyofhisbeloved，andstrainedhertohisbosomashemurmuredabouther，THEWELL
　　ATTHEWORLD’SEND。Butsheweptforjoyasshefawneduponhim，andletherhandsbeatuponhisbody。
　　Butwhentheyweresomewhatcalmedoftheirecstasyofjoy，theymadereadytogodownbythatrockystair。Andfirsttheydidofftheirarmourandothergear，andwhentheywerenakedtheydidonthehallowedraimentwhichtheyhadoutofthearkintheHouseoftheSorceress；andsocladgatthemdowntherock-hewnstair，Ralphgoingfirst，lestthereshouldbeanybrokenplace；
　　butnaughtwasamisswiththosehardblackstones，andtheycamesafelytoalevelplaceoftherock，whencetheycouldseethefaceofthecliff，andhowthewatersoftheWellcamegushingforthfromahollowthereininagreatswellingwaveasclearasglass；
　　andthesunglistenedinitandmadeafoam-bowaboutitsedges。
　　Butabovetheissueofthewaterstheblackrockhadbeensmoothedbyman’sart，andthereonwasgraventheSwordandtheBough，andaboveitthesewords，towit：
　　Sotheylookedlongandwondered；andUrsulasaid：“Deemestthou，myfriend，thatanyhavecomethusfarandforbornetodrink？”
　　SaidRalph：“Surelynoteventheexceedingwisemightrememberthebitternessofhiswisdomashestoodhere。”
　　Thenhelookedonherandhisfacegrewbrightbeyondmeasure，andcriedout：
　　“Olove，love！whytarrywe？ForyetIfearlestwebecometoolate，andthoudiebeforemineeyesereyetthouhastdrunken。”
　　“Yea。”shesaid，“andIalsofearforthee，thoughthyfaceisruddyandthineeyessparkle，andthouartaslovelyastheCaptainoftheLord’shosts。”
　　Thenshelaughed，andherlaughterwasassilverbellsrungtunably，andshesaid：“Butwhereisthecupforthedrinking？”
　　ButRalphlookedonthefaceofthewall，andabouttheheightofhishandsawsquaremarksthereon，asthoughtherewereanambrye；andamidstthesquarewasaknopoflatten，allgreenwiththeweatherandthesaltspray。
　　SoRalphsethishandtotheknopanddrewstrongly，andloitwasadoormadeofasquaredstonehungonbrazenhinges，anditopenedeasilytohim，andwithinwasacupofgoldsmith’swork，withtheswordandtheboughdonethereon；androundabouttherimwritthisposey：
　　“THESTRONGOFHEARTSHALLDRINKFROMME。”SoRalphtookitandhelditaloftsothatitspuremetalflashedinthesun，andhesaid：
　　“Thisisforthee，Sweetling。”
　　“Yea，andforthee。”shesaid。
　　Nowthatlevelplace，orbench-tablewentuptotheverygushingandgreenbowofthewater，soRalphtookUrsula’shandandledheralong，shegoingalittleafterhim，tillhewasclosetotheWell，andstoodamidstthespray-bowthereof，sothathelookedverilylikeoneofthepaintedangelsonthechoirwallofSt。LaurenceofUpmeads。
　　Thenhereachedforthhishandandthrustthecupintothewater，holdingitstoutlybecausethegushofthestreamwasstrong，sothatthewateroftheWellsplashedalloverhim，wettingUrsula’sfaceandbreastwithal：
　　andhefeltthatthewaterwassweetwithoutanysaltnessofthesea。
　　ButheturnedtoUrsulaandreachedoutthefullcuptoher，andsaid：
　　“Sweetling，callahealthoverthecup！”
　　Shetookitandsaid：“Tothylife，beloved！”anddrankwithal，andhereyeslookedoutofthecupthewhile，likeachild’swhenhedrinketh。Thenshegavehimthecupagainandsaid：
　　“Drink，andtarrynot，lestthoudieandIlive。”
　　ThenRalphplungedthecupintothewatersagain，andheheldthecupaloft，andcriedout：“TotheEarth，andtheWorldofManfolk！”
　　andtherewithhedrank。
　　Foraminutethentheyclungtogetherwithinthespray-bowoftheWell，andthenshetookhishandandledhimbacktothemidstofthebench-table，andheputthecupintotheambrye，andshutitupagain，andthentheysatthemdownonthewidestoftheplatformundertheshadowofajuttingrock；
　　forthesunwashot；andtherewithalasweetwearinessbegantostealoverthem，thoughtherewasspeechbetwixtthemforalittle，andRalphsaid：
　　“Howisitwiththee，beloved？”
　　“Owellindeed。”shesaid。
　　Quothhe：“AndhowtastethtotheethewateroftheWell？”
　　Slowlyshespakeandsleepily：“Ittastedgood，andasifthylovewereblendedwithit。”
　　Andshesmiledinhisface；buthesaid：“OnethingIwonderover：
　　howshallwewotifwehavedrunkaright？Forwhereasifweweresickoroldandfailing，orill-liking，andwerenowpresentlyhealedofallthis，andbecomestrongandfairtolookon，thenshouldweknowitforsure——
　　butnow，though，asIlookonthee，Ibeholdtheethefairestofallwomen，andonthyfaceisnotokenoftoilandtravail，andthewearinessoftheway；
　　andthoughtheheart-acheoflonelinessandcaptivity，andtheshameofUtterbolhasleftnomarkuponthee——yethastthounotalwaysbeensweettomyeyes，andassweetasmightbe？Andhowthen？”……Buthebrokeoffandlookedonherandshesmiledupontheloveinhiseyes，andhisheadfellbackandhesleptwithacalmandsmilingface。
　　Andsheleanedoverhimtokisshisfacebuteventherewithherowneyesclosedandshelaidherheaduponhisbreast，andsleptaspeacefullyashe。
　　NowTheyHaveDrunkandAreGladLongtheyslepttilltheshadowswerefallingfromthewest，andtheseawasflowingfastagainoverthesandsbeneaththem，thoughtherewasstillagreatspacebarebetwixtthecliffandthesea。
　　ThenspakeUrsulaasifRalphhadbutjustleftspeaking；andshesaid：
　　“Yea，dearlord，andIalsosay，that，lovelyasthouartnow，neverhastthoubeenaughtelsebutlovelytome。Buttellme，hastthouhadanyscarofahurtuponthybody？Forifnowthatweregone，surelyitshouldbeatokenoftherenewalofthylife。
　　Butifitbenotgone，thentheremayyetbeanothertoken。”
　　Thenhestooduponhisfeet，andshecriedout：
　　“Obutthouartfairandmighty，whonowshalldaregainsaythee？
　　Whoshallnotlongforthee？”
　　SaidRalph：“Look，love！howtheseacomesoverthesandlikethecreepingofaslywood-snake！Shallwegohenceandturnfromtheocean-seawithoutwettingourbodiesinitswaters？”
　　“Letusgo。”shesaid。
　　Sotheywentdownontothelevelsands，andalongtheedgesofthesweet-waterstreamthatflowedfromtheWell；andRalphsaid：
　　“Beloved，Iwilltelltheeofthatwhichthouhastaskedme：
　　whenIwasbutaladofsixteenwintersthererodemena-liftingintoUpmeads，andNicholasLongshanks，whoisawisemanofwar，gatheredforceandwentagainstthem，andImustneedsridebesidehim。
　　Nowwecametoourabove，andputthethievestotheroad；
　　butinthehurlyIgotaclawfromthewar-beast，forthestrokeofaswordshearedmeoffsomewhatfrommyshoulder：
　　belikethouhastseenthescarandloathedit。”
　　“Itisnaughtloathsome。”shesaid，“foraladtobeaboldwarrior，norforagrownmantothinklightlyofthememoryofdeathdrawnnearforthefirsttime。Yea，Ihavenoteditbutletmeseenowwhathasbefallenwithit。”
　　Asshespoketheywerecometoasaltpoolinarockybightontheirrighthand，whichthetidewasfillingspeedily；andRalphspake：
　　“Seenow，thisisthebathofthewateroftheoceansea。”
　　Sotheywerespeedilynakedandplayinginthewater：
　　andUrsulatookRalphbythearmandlookedtohisshoulderandsaid：
　　“Omyladofthepaleedges，whereisgonethyglory？
　　Thereisnomarkofthesword’spilgrimageonthyshoulder。”
　　“Nay，none？”quothhe。
　　“None，none！”shesaid，“Didstthousaytheverysoothofthyhurtinthebattle，Opoorladofmine？”“Yea，thesooth。”saidhe。
　　Thenshelaughedsweetlyandmerrilylikethechuckleofafluteovertheripplingwaters，thatrosehigherandhigheraboutthem，andsheturnedhereyesaskanceandlookedadowntoherownsleekside，andlaidherhandonitandlaughedagain。ThensaidRalph：
　　“Whatistoward，beloved？Forthylaughisratherofjoythatofmirthalone。”
　　Shesaid：“Osmooth-skinnedwarrior，OLilyandRoseofbattle；
　　hereonmysideyesterdaywasthetokenofthehart’stynethatgoredmewhenIwasayoungmaidenfiveyearsago：
　　looknowandpitythemaidenthatlayonthegrassoftheforest，andthewoodmana-passingbydeemedherdeadfiveyearsago。”
　　Ralphstoopeddownastheripplewashedawayfromher，thensaid：
　　“Insoothhereisnomarknorblemish，butthebesthandiworkofGod，aswhenhefirstmadeawomanfromthesideoftheAncientFatherofthefieldofDamask。Butloyoulove，howswiftthetidecomethup，andIlongtoseethyfeetonthegreengrass，andIfearthesea，lestitstirthejoyoverstronglyinourheartsandwebenotabletoescapefromitswaves。”
　　Sotheywentupfromoutofthewater，anddidonthehallowedraimentfragrantwithstrangeherbs，andpassedjoyfullyupthesandtowardsthecliffanditsstair；andspeedilywithal，forsosoonastheywerecladagain，thelittlerippleoftheseawasnightouchingtheirfeet。
　　Astheywent，theynotedthatthewatersoftheWellflowedseawardfromtheblack-walledpoundbythreearchedopeningsinitsouterface，andtheybeheldthemason’swork，howgoodlyitwas；foritwasasifithadbeencutoutofthefootofamountain，sowelljointedwereitsstones，anditswallssolidagainstanystormthatmightdriveagainstit。
　　Theyclimbedthestair，andsatthemdownonthegreengrassawhilewatchingtheoceancominginoverthesandandtherocks，andRalphsaid：
　　“Iwilltellthee，sweetling，thatIamgrowneagerfortheroad；
　　thoughtrueitisthatwhilesIwasdownyonderamidsttherippleoftheseaIlongedfornaughtbutthee，thoughthouwertbesideme，andthyjoyouswordswereasfiretotheheartofmylove。
　　ButnowthatIamonthegreengrassoftheearthIcalledtomindadreamthatcametomewhenwesleptafterthepreciousdraughtoftheWell：
　　formethoughtthatIwasstandingbeforetheporchoftheFeast-hallofUpmeadsandholdingthinehand，andtheancientHousespaketomewiththevoiceofaman，greetingboththeeandme，andpraisingthygoodlinessandvaliancy。Surelythenitiscallingmetodeeds，andifitwerebutmorning，asitisnowdrawingtowardssunset，wewouldmountandbegonestraightway。”
　　“Surely。”shesaid，“thouhastdrunkoftheWell，andthefearoftheehasalreadyenteredintotheheartsofthyfoemenfaraway，evenastheloveoftheeconstrainethmeasIliebythyside；
　　butsinceitiseveningandsunset，letitbeevening，andletthemorningseetoitsownmatters。Sonowletusbepilgrimsagain，andeatthemealofpilgrims，andseetoourhorses，andthenwanderaboutthislovelywildernessanditsgreenmeads，wherenosonofmanheedeththewildthings，tillthenightcome，bringingtoustherestandthesleepofthemthathaveprevailedovermanytroubles。”
　　Evensotheydid，andbrokebreadabovethesea，andlookedtotheirhorses，andthenwenthandinhandaboutthegoodlygreenbentsbetwixttheseaandtheroughofthemountain；
　　anditwasthefairestandsoftestofsummerevenings；
　　andthedeerofthatplace，bothlittleandgreat，hadnofearofman，butthehartandhindcametoUrsula’shand；
　　andthethrushespercheduponhershoulder，andtheharesgambolledtogetherclosetothefeetofthetwain；sothatitseemedtothemthattheyhadcomeintotheveryGardenofGod；
　　andtheyforgatallthemanymilesofthewasteandthemountainthatlaybeforethem，andtheyhadnothoughtforthestrifeoffoemenandthethwartingofkindred，thatbelikeawaitedthemintheirownland，buttheythoughtoftheloveandhappinessofthehourthatwaspassing。
　　Sosweetlytheyworethroughthelastminutesoftheday，andwhenitwasasdarkasitwouldbeinthatfairseason，theylaydownbythegreenknollattheendingoftheland，andwerelulledtosleepbythebubblingoftheWellattheWorld’sEnd。