Ralphledthemroundbytheford，sothattheymightnotcomeacrossthecorpsesoftherobbers；butalreadyweretheUpmeadscarlesatworkdiggingtrencheswhereintoburythem。
　　SoRalphledhisfatherandhismothertothegateofthegarthofHighHouse；thenhegotoffhishorseandhelpedthemdown，andashesodealtwithhisfather，hesaidtohim：
　　“Thouartspringyandlimberyet，father；maybethouwiltputonthinehelmthisyeartoridetheDebateableWoodwithme。”
　　Theoldmanlaughedandsaid：“Maybe，son；butasnowitistimefortheetoenterunderourroof-treeoncemore。”
　　“Nay。”saidRalph，“butgoyeinandsitinthehigh-seatandabideme。
　　FordidInotgostraightbacktoyoufromthefieldofbattle；
　　andcanIsufferitthatanyotherhandthanmineshouldleadmywifeintothehallanduptothehigh-seatofmyfathers；andthereforeIgotofetchherfromthehouseofRichardtheRedwheresheisabidingme；
　　butpresentlyIshallleadherin，anddoyethenwithuswhatyewill。”
　　TherewithheturnedaboutandrodehiswaystoRichard’shouse，whichwasbutahalf-milethence。Buthisfatherandmotherlaughedwhenhewasgone，andKingPetersaid：“Thereagain！
　　thouseest，wife，itishethatcommandsandwethatobey。”
　　“Ohappyhourthatsoitis！”saidtheLady，“andhappynowshallbethewearingofourdays。”
　　Sotheyenteredthegarthandcameintothehouse，andwerewelcomedwithalljoybyNicholas，andtoldhimallthatRalphhadsaid，andbadehimarraythehouseashebestmight；fortherewasmuchfolkabouttheHighHouse，thoughtheUpmeadscarlesandqueanshadtakenthemorepartofthehosttotheirhouses，whichtheyhaddeliveredfromthefireandsword，andtheymademuchofthemtherewithagoodheart。
　　RalphBringsUrsulaHometotheHighHouseRalphspeedilycametoRichard’shouseandenteredthechamber，andfoundUrsulaalonetherein，cladinthedaintiestofherwoman’sgearofthewebofGoldburg。Sheroseuptomeethim，andhetookherinhisarms，andsaid：
　　“Nowiscometheveryendingofourjourneythatwesooftenlongedfor；
　　andallwillbereadybythenwecometotheHighHouse。”
　　“Ah。”shesaid，assheclungtohim，“buttheywerehappydaysthedaysofourjourney；andto-morrowbeginsanewlife。”
　　“Nay。”hesaid，“butratherthiseven；shallitbeloathlytothee，lady？”
　　Shesaid：“TherewillbemanypeoplewhomIknewnotyesterday。”
　　“Therewillbebutme。”hesaid，“whenthenighthathbeendarkforalittle。”
　　Shekissedhimandsaidnought。AndtherewithalcamesomeofRichard’sfolk，foritwashishouse，andledwiththemawhitepalfreyforUrsula’sriding，dightallgayandgoodly。
　　“Comethen。”saidRalph，“thouneedestnottofeartheancienthouse，foritiskindandlovely，andmyfatherandmymotherthouhastseenalready，andtheylovethee。Comethen，lestthehallbegrowntooduskformentoseethyfairness。”“Yea，yea。”shesaid，“butfirsthereisagarlandImadeforthee，andonealsoforme，whileIwasabidingtheeafterthebattle，andmyloveandmyhopeiswovenintoit。Andshesetitonhishead，andsaid，“Othouartfair，andIdidwelltomeettheeinthedarkwood。”
　　Thenhekissedherdearlyonthemouthandledherforth，andnonewentwiththem，andtheymountedandwenttheirways。
　　ButRalphsaid：“Ideemthatweshouldridethemeadowtothebridge，becausethatwayliesthegreatdoorofthehall，andifIknowmyfatherandNicholastheywilllookforusthatway。Dostthouyetfearthesedeadmen，sweetheart，whomourfolkslewthismorning？”
　　“Nay。”shesaid，“ithasbeenalongtimesincethemorning，andthey，andtheirfierienesswhichhassoburnedout，arenowtomeasatalethathathbeentold。ItisthelivingthatIamgoingto，andIhopetodowellbythem。”
　　Cametheythentothebridge-endandtherewasnomanthere，noughtbutthekinethatwerewanderingaboutoverthedewygrassofeventide。
　　Thentheyrodeoverthebridgeandthroughtheorchard，andstilltherewasnoman，andallgateswereopenwide。Sotheycameintothebase-courtofthehouse，anditalsowasemptyoffolk；
　　andtheycametothegreatdoorsofthehallandtheywereopenwide，andtheycouldseethroughthemthatthehallwasfulloffolk，andthereinbythelightofthelowsunthatstreamedinattheshot-windowattheotherendtheysawthefacesofmenandthegleamofsteelandgold。
　　Sotheylighteddownfromtheirhorses，andtookhandinhandandenteredbright-facedandcalm，andgoodlybeyondthegoodlinessofmen；thenindeedallthatfolkburstforthintogladcries，andtosseduptheirweapons，andmanyweptforjoy。
　　Astheywentslowlyupthelonghallanditwasthirtyfathomoflength
　　Ralphlookedcheerfullyandfriendlyfromsidetoside，andbeheldthefacesoftheShepherdsandtheChampions，andthemenofWulstead，andhisownfolk；
　　andalltheycriedhailtohimandthelovelyandvaliantLady。
　　Thenhelookeduptothehigh-seat，andsawthathisfather’sthronewasempty，andhismother’salso；butbehindthethronestoodaknightallarmedinbrightarmourholdingthebannerofUpmeads；buthisfatherandmotherstoodontheedgeofthedaistomeethimandUrsula；
　　andwhentheycameupthithertheseoldfolkembracedthemandkissedthemandledthemuptothetable。ThenRalphbadeUrsulasitbyhismother，andmadehimreadytositbyhisfatherinallloveandduty。
　　ButKingPeterstayedhimandsaid：“Nay，dearson，notthere，buthereshaltthousit，thousaviourofUpmeadsandconqueroroftheheartsofmen；thisisalittleland，butthereinshallbenoneabovethee。”
　　AndtherewithhesetRalphdowninthethrone，andRalph，turningtohislefthand，sawthatitwasUrsula，andnothismother，whosatbesidehim。
　　Butatthesightofthesetwointhethronethegladcriesandshoutsshooktheverytimbersoftheroof，andthesunsankunderwhileyettheycriedhailtotheKingofUpmeads。
　　Thenwerethelightsbroughtandthesupper，andallmenfelltofeast，andplenteouswasthewineinthehall；andsuresincefirstmenmettoeattogethernonehavebeenmerrierthanthey。
　　Butnowwhenmenhadwelleaten，andthegreatcupcalledtheRiverofUpmeadswasbroughtin，thecupbearers，beingsobiddenbefore，broughtitlastofalltoKingPeter，andhestoodupwiththeRiverinhishandandspokealoud，andsaid：
　　“Lordsandwarriors，andgoodpeopleall，hereIdoyoutowit，thatitisnotbecausemysonRalphhascomehometo-dayandwroughtusagreatdeliverance，andthatmylovehathovercomeme；
　　itisnotforthiscausethatIhavesethiminmythronethiseven；
　　butbecauseIseeandperceivethatofallthekindredheismeetesttositthereinsolongasheliveth；unlessperchancethislovelyandvaliantwomanshouldbearhimasonevenbetterthanhimself——
　　andsomayitbe。ThereforeIdoyoualltowitthatthismanistheKingofUpmeads，andthiswomanishisLadyandQueen；
　　andsodeemIofhisprowess，andhiswisdom，andkindliness，thatItrowheshallbelordandservantofotherlandsthanUpmeads，andshalldrawthegoodtownsandthekindredsandworthygoodlordsintopeaceandmightandwell-being，suchastheyhavenotknownheretofore。NowwithinthreedaysshallmassbesunginthechoirofSt。Laurence，andthenshallKingRalphswearonthegospelssuchoathsasyewotof，toguardhispeople，andhelptheneedy，andoppressnoman，evenasIhaveswornit。
　　AndIsaytoyou，thatifIhavekepttheoathtomypower，yetshallhekeepitbetter，asheismightierthanI。
　　“Furthermore，whenhehathsworn，thenshallthevassalssweartohimaccordingtoancientcustom，tobetruetohimandhardyinalldueservice。
　　ButsopleaseyouIwillnotabidetillthen，butwillkneeltohimandtohisLadyandQueenhereandnow。”
　　Evensohedid，andtookRalph’shandinhisandsworeservicetohimsuchaswasdue；andheknelttoUrsulaalso，andbadeherallthanksforwhatshehaddoneinthehelpingofhisson；
　　andtheyraisedhimupandmademuchofhimandofRalph’smother；
　　andgreatwasthejoyofallfolkinthehall。
　　Sothefeastwentonawhiletillthenightgrewold，andfolkmustfarebedward。ThenKingPeterandhiswifebroughtRalphandUrsulatothechamberofthesolar，thekinglychamber，whichwaswellandgoodlydightwithhangingsandafairandgloriousbed，andwasnewlydeckedwithsuchfairflowersasthesummermightfurnish；andatthethresholdKingPeterstayedthemandsaid：
　　“Kinsman，andthou，dearfriend，thisisbecomeyourduechamberandresting-placewhileyeliveintheworld，andthisnightofallothersitshallbeachamberoflove；foryeare，asitwere，newwedded，sincenowfirstyearecomeamongstthekindredasloverandbeloved；
　　andthou，Ursula，artnowatlastthebrideofthisancienthouse；
　　nowtellme，dothitnotlookfriendlyandkindlyonthee？”
　　“Oyea，yea。”shesaid。“Comethou，mymanandmydarlingandletusbealoneinthemaster-chamberofthisancientHouse。”
　　ThenRalphdrewheruntohim；andtheoldmanblessedthemandprayedforgoodlyoffspringforthem，thattheHouseofUpmeadsmightlongendure。
　　Andthusweretheytwoleftaloneamidsttheloveandhopeofthekindred，asersttheylayaloneinthedesert。
　　CHAPTER32
　　YetaFewWordsConcerningRalphofUpmeadsCertainitisthatRalphfailednotofhispromisetothegoodPriorofSt。Austin’satWulstead，butwenttoseehimspeedily，andtoldhimallthetaleofhiswanderingsascloselyashemight，andhidnaughtfromhim；which，asyemaywot，wasmorethanoneday’sworkortwoorthree。AndeverwhenRalphthusspokewasabrotheroftheHousesittingwiththePrior，whichbrotherwasalearnedandwisemanandveryspeedyanddeftwithhispen。
　　Whereforeithasbeendeemednotunlikethatfromthismonk’swritinghascomethemorepartofthetaleabovetold。
　　Andifitbeso，itiswell。
　　Furthermore，itistoldofRalphofUpmeadsthatheruledoverhislandsinrightandmight，andsufferednooppressionwithinthem，anddeliveredotherlandsandgoodtownswhentheyfellundertyrantsandoppressors；andforaskindamanashewasinhallandathearth，inthefieldhewasawarriorsowiseanddreadful，thatoftforsooththeverysoundofhisnameandrumourofhiscomingstayedthemarchofhostsandtheravageoffairlands；andnolordwasevermorebeloved。
　　TillhisdeathdayheheldtheCastleoftheScaur，andcleansedtheWoodPerilousofallstrong-thievesandreivers，sothatnohigh-streetofagoodtownwassaferthanitsgladesanditsbyways。
　　ThenewfolkoftheBurgoftheFourFrithsmadehimtheirlordandcaptain，andtheChampionsoftheDryTreeobeyedhiminallhonoursolongasanyofthemlasted。HerodetoHighamandofferedhimselfascaptaintotheabbotthereof，anddraveoutthetyrantsandoppressorsthence，andgavebackpeacetotheFrankofHigham。
　　EverwashetruecaptainandbrothertotheShepherd-folk，andinmanybattlestheyfollowedhim；andwerethereanyscarcityorillhapamongstthem，hehelpedthemtotheuttermostofhispower。
　　TheWoodDebateablealsoheclearedoffoulrobbersandreivers，androotedoutthelastoftheBurg-devils，anddeliveredthreegoodtownsbeyondthewoodfromthecrueltyoftheoppressor。
　　OnceineveryyearheandUrsulahiswifevisitedtheLandofAbundance，andhewentintothecastlethereasintoaholyplace，andworshippedthememoryoftheLadywhomhehadlovedsodearly。
　　Withallthefriendsofhisquesthewaskindandwell-beloved。
　　Inabouttwoyearsfromthedaywhenherodehome，cametohimtheLordBullofUtterbolwithachosenband，ofwhomwerebothOtterandRedhead。
　　Thatverydaytheycamehewasaboutputtinghisfootinthestirruptorideagainstthefoemen；soBullandhismenwouldnotgointotheHighHousetoeat，butdrankacupwheretheystood，andturnedandrodewithhimstraightway，anddidhimrightmanlyserviceinbattle；
　　andwentbackwithhimafterwardstoUpmeads，andabodewithhimthereinfeastingandjoyancefortwomonths’wearing。Andthriceintheyearsthatfollowed，whenhislandsathomeseemedsafestandmostatpeace，Ralphtookachosenband，andUrsulawiththem，andClementwithal，andjourneyedthroughthewastesandthemountainstoUtterbol，andpassedjoyousdayswithhisoldthrallofwar，BullNosy，nowbecomeaverymightymanandthewarderofthepeaceoftheUttermostlands。
　　ClementandKatherinecameofttotheHighHouse，andKatherineexceedingoften；andshelovedandcherishedUrsulaandlivedlonginhealthofbodyandpeaceofmind。
　　AllthedaysthatRalphofUpmeadslived，hewasthegoodliestofmen，andnomantolookonhimhadknownitwhenhegrewold；
　　andwhenhechangedhislife，anexceedingancientman，hewastoallmen’seyesintheveryblossomofhisage。
　　AstoUrsulahiswife，shewaseverasvaliantandtrueaswhentheymetinthedarknightamidstoftheEastlandwood。Eightgoodlychildrensheborehim，andsawfourgenerationsofherkindredwaxup；
　　butevenasitwaswithRalph，neverwasshelessgoodlyofbody，nayrather，butfairerthanwhenfirstshecametoUpmeads；
　　andthedaywhereonanymansawherwasadayofjoyfulfeasttohim，adaytoberememberedforever。OnonedaytheytwodiedandwerelaidtogetherinonetombinthechoirofSt。LaurenceofUpmeads。
　　ANDHEREENDSTHETALEOFTHEWELLATTHEWORLD’SEND。
　　End