the wood beyond the world-第13章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


sign　of　what　he　had　seen　thereof　but　lately。　　He　knit　his　brow　and
stood　still　to　think　of　it；　and　his　heart　grew　the　heavier　thereby；
but　presently　he　went　his　ways　and　crossed　the　stream；　but　had
scarce　come　up　on　to　the　grass　on　the　further　side；　ere　he　saw　a
woman　coming　to　meet　him；　and　at　first；　full　as　he　was　of　the　tide
of　yesterday　and　the　wondrous　garden；　deemed　that　it　would　be　the
Lady；　but　the　woman　stayed　her　feet；　and；　stooping；　laid　a　hand　on
her　right　ankle；　and　he　saw　that　it　was　the　Maid。　　He　drew　anigh　to
her；　and　saw　that　she　was　nought　so　sad　of　countenance　as　the　last
time　she　had　met　him；　but　flushed　of　cheek　and　bright…eyed。

As　he　came　up　to　her　she　made　a　step　or　two　to　meet　him；　holding　out
her　two　hands；　and　then　refrained　her；　and　said　smiling：　　〃Ah；
friend；　belike　this　shall　be　the　last　time　that　I　shall　say　to　thee；
touch　me　not；　nay；　not　so　much　as　my　hand；　or　if　it　were　but　the　hem
of　my　raiment。〃

The　joy　grew　up　in　his　heart；　and　he　gazed　on　her　fondly；　and　said：
〃Why；　what　hath　befallen　of　late？〃

〃O　friend；〃　she　began；　〃this　hath　befallen。〃

But　as　he　looked　on　her；　the　smile　died　from　her　face；　and　she
became　deadly　pale　to　the　very　lips；　she　looked　askance　to　her　left
side；　whereas　ran　the　stream；　and　Walter　followed　her　eyes；　and
deemed　for　one　instant　that　he　saw　the　misshapen　yellow　visage　of
the　dwarf　peering　round　from　a　grey　rock；　but　the　next　there　was
nothing。　　Then　the　Maid；　though　she　were　as　pale　as　death；　went　on
in　a　clear；　steady；　hard　voice；　wherein　was　no　joy　or　kindness；
keeping　her　face　to　Walter　and　her　back　to　the　stream：　　〃This　hath
befallen；　friend；　that　there　is　no　longer　any　need　to　refrain　thy
love　nor　mine；　therefore　I　say　to　thee；　come　to　my　chamber　（and　it
is　the　red　chamber　over　against　thine；　though　thou　knewest　it　not）
an　hour　before　this　next　midnight；　and　then　thy　sorrow　and　mine
shall　be　at　an　end：　　and　now　I　must　needs　depart。　　Follow　me　not；
but　remember！〃

And　therewith　she　turned　about　and　fled　like　the　wind　down　the
stream。

But　Walter　stood　wondering；　and　knew　not　what　to　make　of　it；　whether
it　were　for　good　or　ill：　　for　he　knew　now　that　she　had　paled　and
been　seized　with　terror　because　of　the　upheaving　of　the　ugly　head；
and　yet　she　had　seemed　to　speak　out　the　very　thing　she　had　to　say。
Howsoever　it　were；　he　spake　aloud　to　himself：　　Whatever　comes；　I
will　keep　tryst　with　her。

Then　he　drew　his　sword；　and　turned　this　way　and　that；　looking　all
about　if　he　might　see　any　sign　of　the　Evil　Thing；　but　nought　might
his　eyes　behold；　save　the　grass；　and　the　stream；　and　the　bushes　of
the　dale。　　So　then；　still　holding　his　naked　sword　in　his　hand；　he
clomb　the　bent　out　of　the　dale；　for　that　was　the　only　way　he　knew　to
the　Golden　House；　and　when　he　came　to　the　top；　and　the　summer　breeze
blew　in　his　face；　and　he　looked　down　a　fair　green　slope　beset　with
goodly　oaks　and　chestnuts；　he　was　refreshed　with　the　life　of　the
earth；　and　he　felt　the　good　sword　in　his　fist；　and　knew　that　there
was　might　and　longing　in　him；　and　the　world　seemed　open　unto　him。

So　he　smiled；　if　it　were　somewhat　grimly；　and　sheathed　his　sword　and
went　on　toward　the　house。



CHAPTER　XIX：　　WALTER　GOES　TO　FETCH　HOME　THE　LION'S　HIDE



He　entered　the　cool　dusk　through　the　porch；　and；　looking　down　the
pillared　hall；　saw　beyond　the　fountain　a　gleam　of　gold；　and　when　he
came　past　the　said　fountain　he　looked　up　to　the　high…seat；　and　lo！
the　Lady　sitting　there　clad　in　her　queenly　raiment。　　She　called　to
him；　and　he　came；　and　she　hailed　him；　and　spake　graciously　and
calmly；　yet　as　if　she　knew　nought　of　him　save　as　the　leal　servant　of
her；　a　high　Lady。　　〃Squire；〃　she　said；　〃we　have　deemed　it　meet　to
have　the　hide　of　the　servant　of　the　Enemy；　the　lion　to　wit；　whom
thou　slewest　yesterday；　for　a　carpet　to　our　feet；　wherefore　go　now；
take　thy　wood…knife；　and　flay　the　beast；　and　bring　me　home　his　skin。
This　shall　be　all　thy　service　for　this　day；　so　mayst　thou　do　it　at
thine　own　leisure；　and　not　weary　thyself。　　May　good　go　with　thee。〃

He　bent　the　knee　before　her；　and　she　smiled　on　him　graciously；　but
reached　out　no　hand　for　him　to　kiss；　and　heeded　him　but　little。
Wherefore；　in　spite　of　himself；　and　though　he　knew　somewhat　of　her
guile；　he　could　not　help　marvelling　that　this　should　be　she　who　had
lain　in　his　arms　night…long　but　of　late。

Howso　that　might　be；　he　took　his　way　toward　the　thicket　where　he　had
slain　the　lion；　and　came　thither　by　then　it　was　afternoon；　at　the
hottest　of　the　day。　　So　he　entered　therein；　and　came　to　the　very
place　whereas　the　Lady　had　lain；　when　she　fell　down　before　the
terror　of　the　lion；　and　there　was　the　mark　of　her　body　on　the　grass
where　she　had　lain　that　while；　like　as　it　were　the　form　of　a　hare。
But　when　Walter　went　on　to　where　he　had　slain　that　great　beast；　lo！
he　was　gone；　and　there　was　no　sign　of　him；　but　there　were　Walter's
own　footprints；　and　the　two　shafts　which　he　had　shot；　one　feathered
red；　and　one　blue。　　He　said　at　first：　　Belike　someone　hath　been
here；　and　hath　had　the　carcase　away。　　Then　he　laughed　in　very
despite；　and　said：　　How　may　that　be；　since　there　are　no　signs　of
dragging　away　of　so　huge　a　body；　and　no　blood　or　fur　on　the　grass　if
they　had　cut　him　up；　and　moreover　no　trampling　of　feet；　as　if　there
had　been　many　men　at　the　deed。　　Then　was　he　all　abashed；　and　again
laughed　in　scorn　of　himself；　and　said：　　Forsooth　I　deemed　I　had　done
manly；　but　now　forsooth　I　shot　nought；　and　nought　there　was　before
the　sword　of　my　father's　son。　　And　what　may　I　deem　now；　but　that
this　is　a　land　of　mere　lies；　and　that　there　is　nought　real　and　alive
therein　save　me。　　Yea；　belike　even　these　trees　and　the　green　grass
will　presently　depart　from　me；　and　leave　me　falling　down　through　the
clouds。

Therewith　he　turned　away；　and　gat　him　to　the　road　that　led　to　the
Golden　House；　wondering　what　next　should　befall　him；　and　going
slowly　as　he　pondered　his　case。　　So　came　he　to　that　first　thicket
where　they　had　lost　their　quarry　by　water；　so　he　entered　the　same；
musing；　and　bathed　him　in　the　pool　that　was　therein；　after　he　had
wandered　about　it　awhile；　and　found　nothing　new。

So　again　he　set　him　to　the　homeward　road；　when　the　day　was　now
waning；　and　it　was　near　sunset　that　he　was　come　nigh　unto　the　house；
though　it　was　hidden　from　him　as　then　by　a　low　bent　that　rose　before
him；　and　there　he　abode　and　looked　about　him。

Now　as　he　looked；　over　the　said　bent　came　the　figure　of　a　woman；　who
stayed　on　the　brow　thereof　and　looked　all　about　her；　and　then　ran
swiftly　down　to　meet　Walter；　who　saw　at　once　that　it　was　the　Maid。

She　made　no　stay　then　till　she　was　but　three　paces　from　him；　and
then　she　stooped　down　and　made　the　sign　to　him；　and　then　spake　to
him　breathlessly；　and　said：　　〃Hearken！　but　speak　not　till　I　have
done：　　I　bade　thee　to…night's　meeting　because　I　saw　that　there　was
one　anigh　whom　I　must　needs　beguile。　　But　by　thine　oath；　and　thy
love；　and　all　that　thou　art；　I　adjure　thee　come　not　unto　me　this
night　as　I　bade　thee！　but　be　hidden　in　the　hazel…copse　outside　the
house；　as　it　draws　toward　midnight；　and　abide　me　there。　　Dost　thou
hearken；　and　wilt　thou？　　Say　yes　or　no　in　haste；　for　I　may　not　tarry
a　moment　of　time。　　Who　knoweth　what　is　behind　me？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Walter　hastily；　〃but　friend　and　love〃

〃No　more；〃　she　said；　〃hope　the　best；〃　and　turning　from　him　she　ran
away　swiftly；　not　by　the　way　she　had　come；　but　sideways；　as　though
to　reach　the　house　by　fetching　a　compass。

But　Walter　went　slowly　on　his　way；　thinking　within　himself　that　now
at　that　present　moment　there　was　nought　for　it　but　to　refrain　him
from　doing；　and　to　let　others　do；　yet　deemed　he　that　it　was　little
manly　to　be　as　the　pawn　upon　the　board；　pushed　about　by　the　will　of
others。

Then；　as　he　went；　he　bethought　him　of　the　Maiden's　face　and　aspect；
as　she　came　running　to　him；　and　stood　before　him　for　that　minute；
and　all　eagerness　he　saw　in　her；　and　sore　love　of　him；　and　distress
of　soul；　all　blent　together。

So　came　he　to　the　brow　of　the　bent　whence　he　could　see　lying　before
him；　scarce　more　than　a　bow…shot　away；　the　Golden　House　now　gilded
again　and　reddened　by　the　setting　sun。　　And　even　therewith　came　a
gay　image　toward　him；　flashing　back　the　level　rays　from　gold　and
steel　and　silver；　and　lo！　there　was　come　the　King's　Son。　　They　met
presently；　and　the　King's　Son　turned　to　go　beside　him；　and　said
merrily：　　〃I　give　thee　good　even；　my　Lady's　Squire！　　I　owe　thee
something　of　courtesy；　whereas　it　is　by　thy　means　that　I　shall　be
made　happy；　both　to…night；　and　to…morrow；　and　many　to…morrows；　and
sooth　it　is；　that　but　little　courtesy　have　I　done　thee　hitherto。〃

His　face　was　full　of　joy；　and　the　eyes　of　him　shone　with　gladness。
He　was　a　goodly　man；　but　to　Walter　he　seemed　an　ill　one；　and　he
hated　him　so　much；　that　he　found　it　no　easy　matter　to　answer　him；
but　he　refrained　himself；　and　said：　　〃I　can　thee　thank；　King's　Son；
and　good　it　is　that　someone　is　happy　in　this　strange　land。〃

〃Art　thou　not　happy　then；　Squire　of　my　Lady？〃　said　the　other。

Walter　had　no　mind　to　show　this　man　his　heart；　nay；　nor　even　a
corner　thereof；　for　he　deemed　him　an　enemy。　　So　he　smiled　sweetly
and　somewhat　foolishly；　as　a　man　luckily　in　love；　and　said：　　〃O　yea；
yea；　why　should　I　not　be　so？　　How　might　I　be　otherwise？〃

〃Yea　then；〃　said　the　King's　Son；　〃why　didst　thou　say　that　thou　wert
glad　someone　is　happy？　　Who　is　unhappy；　deemest　thou？〃　and　he　looked
on　him　keenly。

Walter　answered　slowly：　　〃Said　I　so？　　I　suppose　then　that　I　was
thinking　of　thee；　for　when　first　I　saw　thee；　yea；　and　afterwards；
thou　didst　seem　heavy…hearted　and　ill…content。〃

The　face　of　the　King's　Son　cleared　at　this　word；　and　he　said：　　〃Yea；
so　it　was；　for　look　you；　both　ways　it　was：　　I　was　unfree；　and　I　had
sown　the　true　desire　of　my　heart　whereas　it　waxed　not。　　But　now　I　am
on　the　brink　and　verge　of　freedom；　and　presently　shall　my　desire　be
blossomed。　　Nay　now；　Squire；　I　deem　thee　a　good　fellow；　though　it
may　be　somewhat　of　a　fool；　so　I　will　no　more　speak　riddles　to　thee。
Thus　it　is：　　the　Maid　hath　promised　me　all　mine　asking；　and　is　mine；
and　in　two　or　three　days；　by　her　helping　also；　I　shall　see　the　world
again。〃

Quoth　Walter；　smiling　askance　on　him：　　〃And　the　Lady？　what　shall　she
say　to　this　matter？〃

The　King's　Son　reddened；　but　smiled　falsely　enough；　and　said：　　〃Sir
Squire；　thou　knowest　enough　not　to　need　to　ask　this。　　Why　should　I
tell　thee　that　she　accounteth　more　of　thy　little　finger　than　of　my
whole　body？　　Now　I　tell　thee　hereof　freely；　first；　because　this　my
fruition　of　love；　and　my　freeing　from　thralldom；　is；　in　a　way；　of
thy　doing。　　For　thou　art　become　my　supplanter；　and　hast　taken　thy
place　with　yonder　lovely　tyrant。　　Fear　not　for　me！　she　will　let　me
go。　　As　for　thyself；　see　thou　to　it！　　But　again　I　tell　thee　hereof
because　my　heart　is　light　and　full　of　joy；　and　telling　thee　will
pleasure　me；　and　cannot　do　me　any　harm。　　For　if　thou　say：　　How　if　I
carry　the　tale　to　my　Lady？　　I　answer；　thou　wilt　not。　　For　I　know
that　thine　heart　hath　been　somewhat　set　on　the　jewel　that　my　hand
holdeth；　and　thou　knowest　well　on　whose　head　the　Lady's　wrath　would
fall；　and　that　would　be　neither　thine　no