the wood beyond the world-第10章

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greenwood　as　the　hunting…goddess　of　the　Gentiles；　with　her　green
gown　gathered　unto　her　girdle；　and　sandals　on　her　feet；　a　bow　in　her
hand　and　a　quiver　at　her　back：　　she　was　taller　and　bigger　of　fashion
than　the　dear　Maiden；　whiter　of　flesh；　and　more　glorious；　and
brighter　of　hair；　as　a　flower　of　flowers　for　fairness　and　fragrance。

She　said：　　〃Thou　art　verily　a　fair　squire　before　the　hunt　is　up；　and
if　thou　be　as　good　in　the　hunting；　all　will　be　better　than　well；　and
the　guest　will　be　welcome。　　But　lo！　here　cometh　our　Maid　with　the
good　grey　ones。　　Go　meet　her；　and　we　will　tarry　no　longer　than　for
thy　taking　the　leash　in　hand。〃

So　Walter　looked；　and　saw　the　Maid　coming　with　two　couple　of　great
hounds　in　the　leash　straining　against　her　as　she　came　along。　　He　ran
lightly　to　meet　her；　wondering　if　he　should　have　a　look；　or　a　half…
whisper　from　her；　but　she　let　him　take　the　white　thongs　from　her
hand；　with　the　same　half…smile　of　shamefacedness　still　set　on　her
face；　and；　going　past　him；　came　softly　up　to　the　Lady；　swaying　like
a　willow…branch　in　the　wind；　and　stood　before　her；　with　her　arms
hanging　down　by　her　sides。　　Then　the　Lady　turned　to　her；　and　said：
〃Look　to　thyself；　our　Maid；　while　we　are　away。　　This　fair　young　man
thou　needest　not　to　fear　indeed；　for　he　is　good　and　leal；　but　what
thou　shalt　do　with　the　King's　Son　I　wot　not。　　He　is　a　hot　lover
forsooth；　but　a　hard　man；　and　whiles　evil　is　his　mood；　and　perilous
both　to　thee　and　me。　　And　if　thou　do　his　will；　it　shall　be　ill　for
thee；　and　if　thou　do　it　not；　take　heed　of　him；　and　let　me；　and　me
only；　come　between　his　wrath　and　thee。　　I　may　do　somewhat　for　thee。
Even　yesterday　he　was　instant　with　me　to　have　thee　chastised　after
the　manner　of　thralls；　but　I　bade　him　keep　silence　of　such　words；
and　jeered　him　and　mocked　him；　till　he　went　away　from　me　peevish　and
in　anger。　　So　look　to　it　that　thou　fall　not　into　any　trap　of　his
contrivance。〃

Then　the　Maid　cast　herself　at　the　Mistress's　feet；　and　kissed　and
embraced　them；　and　as　she　rose　up；　the　Lady　laid　her　hand　lightly　on
her　head；　and　then；　turning　to　Walter；　cried　out：　　〃Now；　Squire；　let
us　leave　all　these　troubles　and　wiles　and　desires　behind　us；　and
flit　through　the　merry　greenwood　like　the　Gentiles　of　old　days。〃

And　therewith　she　drew　up　the　laps　of　her　gown　till　the　whiteness　of
her　knees　was　seen；　and　set　off　swiftly　toward　the　wood　that　lay
south　of　the　house；　and　Walter　followed；　marvelling　at　her
goodliness；　nor　durst　he　cast　a　look　backward　to　the　Maiden；　for　he
knew　that　she　desired　him；　and　it　was　her　only　that　he　looked　to　for
his　deliverance　from　this　house　of　guile　and　lies。



CHAPTER　XIV：　　THE　HUNTING　OF　THE　HART



As　they　went；　they　found　a　change　in　the　land；　which　grew　emptier　of
big　and　wide…spreading　trees；　and　more　beset　with　thickets。　　From
one　of　these　they　roused　a　hart；　and　Walter　let　slip　his　hounds
thereafter　and　he　and　the　Lady　followed　running。　　Exceeding　swift
was　she；　and　well…breathed　withal；　so　that　Walter　wondered　at　her；
and　eager　she　was　in　the　chase　as　the　very　hounds；　heeding　nothing
the　scratching　of　briars　or　the　whipping　of　stiff　twigs　as　she　sped
on。　　But　for　all　their　eager　hunting；　the　quarry　outran　both　dogs
and　folk；　and　gat　him　into　a　great　thicket；　amidmost　whereof　was　a
wide　plash　of　water。　　Into　the　thicket　they　followed　him；　but　he
took　to　the　water　under　their　eyes　and　made　land　on　the　other　side；
and　because　of　the　tangle　of　underwood；　he　swam　across　much　faster
than　they　might　have　any　hope　to　come　round　on　him；　and　so　were　the
hunters　left　undone　for　that　time。

So　the　Lady　cast　herself　down　on　the　green　grass　anigh　the　water；
while　Walter　blew　the　hounds　in　and　coupled　them　up；　then　he　turned
round　to　her；　and　lo！　she　was　weeping　for　despite　that　they　had　lost
the　quarry；　and　again　did　Walter　wonder　that　so　little　a　matter
should　raise　a　passion　of　tears　in　her。　　He　durst　not　ask　what　ailed
her；　or　proffer　her　solace；　but　was　not　ill　apaid　by　beholding　her
loveliness　as　she　lay。

Presently　she　raised　up　her　head　and　turned　to　Walter；　and　spake　to
him　angrily　and　said：　　〃Squire；　why　dost　thou　stand　staring　at　me
like　a　fool？〃

〃Yea；　Lady；〃　he　said；　〃but　the　sight　of　thee　maketh　me　foolish　to　do
aught　else　but　to　look　on　thee。〃

She　said；　in　a　peevish　voice：　　〃Tush；　Squire；　the　day　is　too　far
spent　for　soft　and　courtly　speeches；　what　was　good　there　is　nought
so　good　here。　　Withal；　I　know　more　of　thine　heart　than　thou
deemest。〃

Walter　hung　down　his　head　and　reddened；　and　she　looked　on　him；　and
her　face　changed；　and　she　smiled　and　said；　kindly　this　time：　　〃Look
ye；　Squire；　I　am　hot　and　weary；　and　ill…content；　but　presently　it
will　be　better　with　me；　for　my　knees　have　been　telling　my　shoulders
that　the　cold　water　of　this　little　lake　will　be　sweet　and　pleasant
this　summer　noonday；　and　that　I　shall　forget　my　foil　when　I　have
taken　my　pleasure　therein。　　Wherefore；　go　thou　with　thine　hounds
without　the　thicket　and　there　abide　my　coming。　　And　I　bid　thee　look
not　aback　as　thou　goest；　for　therein　were　peril　to　thee：　　I　shall
not　keep　thee　tarrying　long　alone。〃

He　bowed　his　head　to　her；　and　turned　and　went　his　ways。　　And　now；
when　he　was　a　little　space　away　from　her；　he　deemed　her　indeed　a
marvel　of　women；　and　wellnigh　forgat　all　his　doubts　and　fears
concerning　her；　whether　she　were　a　fair　image　fashioned　out　of　lies
and　guile；　or　it　might　be　but　an　evil　thing　in　the　shape　of　a　goodly
woman。　　Forsooth；　when　he　saw　her　caressing　the　dear　and　friendly
Maid；　his　heart　all　turned　against　her；　despite　what　his　eyes　and
his　ears　told　his　mind；　and　she　seemed　like　as　it　were　a　serpent
enfolding　the　simplicity　of　the　body　which　he　loved。

But　now　it　was　all　changed；　and　he　lay　on　the　grass　and　longed　for
her　coming；　which　was　delayed　for　somewhat　more　than　an　hour。　　Then
she　came　back　to　him；　smiling　and　fresh　and　cheerful；　her　green　gown
let　down　to　her　heels。

He　sprang　up　to　meet　her；　and　she　came　close　to　him；　and　spake　from
a　laughing　face：　　〃Squire；　hast　thou　no　meat　in　thy　wallet？　　For；
meseemeth；　I　fed　thee　when　thou　wert　hungry　the　other　day；　do　thou
now　the　same　by　me。〃

He　smiled；　and　louted　to　her；　and　took　his　wallet　and　brought　out
thence　bread　and　flesh　and　wine；　and　spread　them　all　out　before　her
on　the　green　grass；　and　then　stood　by　humbly　before　her。　　But　she
said：　　〃Nay；　my　Squire；　sit　down　by　me　and　eat　with　me；　for　to…day
are　we　both　hunters　together。〃

So　he　sat　down　by　her　trembling；　but　neither　for　awe　of　her
greatness；　nor　for　fear　and　horror　of　her　guile　and　sorcery。

A　while　they　sat　there　together　after　they　had　done　their　meat；　and
the　Lady　fell　a…talking　with　Walter　concerning　the　parts　of　the
earth；　and　the　manners　of　men；　and　of　his　journeyings　to　and　fro。

At　last　she　said：　　〃Thou　hast　told　me　much　and　answered　all　my
questions　wisely；　and　as　my　good　Squire　should；　and　that　pleaseth
me。　　But　now　tell　me　of　the　city　wherein　thou　wert　born　and　bred；　a
city　whereof　thou　hast　hitherto　told　me　nought。〃

〃Lady；〃　he　said；　〃it　is　a　fair　and　a　great　city；　and　to　many　it
seemeth　lovely。　　But　I　have　left　it；　and　now　it　is　nothing　to　me。〃

〃Hast　thou　not　kindred　there？〃　said　she。

〃Yea；〃　said　he；　〃and　foemen　withal；　and　a　false　woman　waylayeth　my
life　there。〃

〃And　what　was　she？〃　said　the　Lady。

Said　Walter：　　〃She　was　but　my　wife。〃

〃Was　she　fair？〃　said　the　Lady。

Walter　looked　on　her　a　while；　and　then　said：　　〃I　was　going　to　say
that　she　was　wellnigh　as　fair　as　thou；　but　that　may　scarce　be。　　Yet
was　she　very　fair。　　But　now；　kind　and　gracious　Lady；　I　will　say　this
word　to　thee：　　I　marvel　that　thou　askest　so　many　things　concerning
the　city　of　Langton　on　Holm；　where　I　was　born；　and　where　are　my
kindred　yet；　for　meseemeth　that　thou　knowest　it　thyself。〃

〃I　know　it；　I？〃　said　the　Lady。

〃What；　then！　thou　knowest　it　not？〃　said　Walter。

Spake　the　Lady；　and　some　of　her　old　disdain　was　in　her　words：　　〃Dost
thou　deem　that　I　wander　about　the　world　and　its　cheaping…steads　like
one　of　the　chap…men？　　Nay；　I　dwell　in　the　Wood　beyond　the　World；　and
nowhere　else。　　What　hath　put　this　word　into　thy　mouth？〃

He　said：　　〃Pardon　me；　Lady；　if　I　have　misdone；　but　thus　it　was：
Mine　own　eyes　beheld　thee　going　down　the　quays　of　our　city；　and
thence　a　ship…board；　and　the　ship　sailed　out　of　the　haven。　　And
first　of　all　went　a　strange　dwarf；　whom　I　have　seen　here；　and　then
thy　Maid；　and　then　went　thy　gracious　and　lovely　body。〃

The　Lady's　face　changed　as　he　spoke；　and　she　turned　red　and　then
pale；　and　set　her　teeth；　but　she　refrained　her；　and　said：　　〃Squire；
I　see　of　thee　that　thou　art　no　liar；　nor　light　of　wit；　therefore　I
suppose　that　thou　hast　verily　seen　some　appearance　of　me；　but　never
have　I　been　in　Langton；　nor　thought　thereof；　nor　known　that　such　a
stead　there　was　until　thou　namedst　it　e'en　now。　　Wherefore；　I　deem
that　an　enemy　hath　cast　the　shadow　of　me　on　the　air　of　that　land。〃

〃Yea；　my　Lady；〃　said　Walter；　〃and　what　enemy　mightest　thou　have　to
have　done　this？〃

She　was　slow　of　answer；　but　spake　at　last　from　a　quivering　mouth　of
anger：　　〃Knowest　thou　not　the　saw；　that　a　man's　foes　are　they　of　his
own　house？　　If　I　find　out　for　a　truth　who　hath　done　this；　the　said
enemy　shall　have　an　evil　hour　with　me。〃

Again　she　was　silent；　and　she　clenched　her　hands　and　strained　her
limbs　in　the　heat　of　her　anger；　so　that　Walter　was　afraid　of　her；
and　all　his　misgivings　came　back　to　his　heart　again；　and　he　repented
that　he　had　told　her　so　much。　　But　in　a　little　while　all　that
trouble　and　wrath　seemed　to　flow　off　her；　and　again　was　she　of　good
cheer；　and　kind　and　sweet　to　him　and　she　said：　　〃But　in　sooth；
however　it　may　be；　I　thank　thee；　my　Squire　and　friend；　for　telling
me　hereof。　　And　surely　no　wyte　do　I　lay　on　thee。　　And；　moreover；　is
it　not　this　vision　which　hath　brought　thee　hither？〃

〃So　it　is；　Lady；〃　said　he。

〃Then　have　we　to　thank　it；〃　said　the　Lady；　〃and　thou　art　welcome　to
our　land。〃

And　therewith　she　held　out　her　hand　to　him；　and　he　took　it　on　his
knees　and　kissed　it：　　and　then　it　was　as　if　a　red…hot　iron　had　run
through　his　heart；　and　he　felt　faint；　and　bowed　down　his　head。　　But
he　held　her　hand　yet；　and　kissed　it　many　times；　and　the　wrist　and
the　arm；　and　knew　not　where　he　was。

But　she　drew　a　little　away　from　him；　and　arose　and　said：　　〃Now　is
the　day　wearing；　and　if　we　are　to　bear　back　any　venison　we　must
buckle　to　the　work。　　So　arise；　Squire；　and　take　the　hounds　and　come
with　me；　for　not　far　off　is　a　little　thicket　which　mostly　harbours
foison　of　deer；　great　and　small。　　Let　us　come　our　ways。〃



CHAPTER　XV：　　THE　SLAYING　OF　THE　QUARRY



So　they　walked　on　quietly　thence　some　half　a　mile；　and　ever　the　Lady
would　have　Walter　to　walk　by　her　side；　and　not　follow　a　little
behind　her；　as　was　meet　for　a　servant　to　do；　and　she　touched　his
hand　at　whiles　as　she　showed　him　beast　and　fowl　and　tree；　and　the
sweetness　of　her　body　overcame　him；　so　that　for　a　while　he　thought
of　nothing　save　her。

Now　when　they　were　come　to　the　thicket…side；　she　turned　to　him　and
said：　　〃Squire；　I　am　no　ill　woodman；　so　that　thou　mayst　trust　me
that　we　shall　not　be　brought　to　shame　the　second　time；　and　I　shall
do