the wood beyond the world-第22章

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to　mount；　Walter　in　one；　and　the　Maid　in　the　other；　and　no　otherwise
might　they　do。　　Then　presently　was　a　horn　blown；　and　all　took　to　the
road　together；　and　Walter　saw　betwixt　the　curtains　of　the　litter
that　men…at…arms　rode　on　either　side　of　him；　albeit　they　had　left
him　his　sword　by　his　side。

So　they　went　down　the　mountain…passes；　and　before　sunset　were　gotten
into　the　plain；　but　they　made　no　stay　for　nightfall；　save　to　eat　a
morsel　and　drink　a　draught；　going　through　the　night　as　men　who　knew
their　way　well。　　As　they　went；　Walter　wondered　what　would　betide；
and　if　peradventure　they　also　would　be　for　offering　them　up　to　their
Gods；　whereas　they　were　aliens　for　certain；　and　belike　also
Saracens。　　Moreover　there　was　a　cold　fear　at　his　heart　that　he
should　be　sundered　from　the　Maid；　whereas　their　masters　now　were
mighty　men　of　war；　holding　in　their　hands　that　which　all　men　desire；
to　wit；　the　manifest　beauty　of　a　woman。　　Yet　he　strove　to　think　the
best　of　it　that　he　might。　　And　so　at　last；　when　the　night　was　far
spent；　and　dawn　was　at　hand；　they　stayed　at　a　great　and　mighty　gate
in　a　huge　wall。　　There　they　blew　loudly　on　the　horn　thrice；　and
thereafter　the　gates　were　opened；　and　they　all　passed　through　into　a
street；　which　seemed　to　Walter　in　the　glimmer　to　be　both　great　and
goodly　amongst　the　abodes　of　men。　　Then　it　was　but　a　little　ere　they
came　into　a　square；　wide…spreading；　one　side　whereof　Walter　took　to
be　the　front　of　a　most　goodly　house。　　There　the　doors　of　the　court
opened　to　them　or　ever　the　horn　might　blow；　though；　forsooth；　blow
it　did　loudly　three　times；　all　they　entered　therein；　and　men　came　to
Walter　and　signed　to　him　to　alight。　　So　did　he；　and　would　have
tarried　to　look　about　for　the　Maid；　but　they　suffered　it　not；　but
led　him　up　a　huge　stair　into　a　chamber；　very　great；　and　but　dimly
lighted　because　of　its　greatness。　　Then　they　brought　him　to　a　bed
dight　as　fair　as　might　be；　and　made　signs　to　him　to　strip　and　lie
therein。　　Perforce　he　did　so；　and　then　they　bore　away　his　raiment；
and　left　him　lying　there。　　So　he　lay　there　quietly；　deeming　it　no
avail　for　him；　a　mother…naked　man；　to　seek　escape　thence；　but　it　was
long　ere　he　might　sleep；　because　of　his　trouble　of　mind。　　At　last；
pure　weariness　got　the　better　of　his　hopes　and　fears；　and　he　fell
into　slumber　just　as　the　dawn　was　passing　into　day。



CHAPTER　XXXII：　　OF　THE　NEW　KING　OF　THE　CITY　AND　LAND　OF　STARK…WALL



When　he　awoke　again　the　sun　was　shining　brightly　into　that　chamber；
and　he　looked；　and　beheld　that　it　was　peerless　of　beauty　and　riches；
amongst　all　that　he　had　ever　seen：　　the　ceiling　done　with　gold　and
over…sea　blue；　the　walls　hung　with　arras　of　the　fairest；　though　he
might　not　tell　what　was　the　history　done　therein。　　The　chairs　and
stools　were　of　carven　work　well　be…painted；　and　amidmost　was　a　great
ivory　chair　under　a　cloth　of　estate；　of　bawdekin　of　gold　and　green；
much　be…pearled；　and　all　the　floor　was　of　fine　work　alexandrine。

He　looked　on　all　this；　wondering　what　had　befallen　him；　when　lo！
there　came　folk　into　the　chamber；　to　wit；　two　serving…men　well…
bedight；　and　three　old　men　clad　in　rich　gowns　of　silk。　　These　came
to　him　and　（still　by　signs；　without　speech）　bade　him　arise　and　come
with　them；　and　when　he　bade　them　look　to　it　that　he　was　naked；　and
laughed　doubtfully；　they　neither　laughed　in　answer；　nor　offered　him
any　raiment；　but　still　would　have　him　arise；　and　he　did　so　perforce。
They　brought　him　with　them　out　of　the　chamber；　and　through　certain
passages　pillared　and　goodly；　till　they　came　to　a　bath　as　fair　as
any　might　be；　and　there　the　serving…men　washed　him　carefully　and
tenderly；　the　old　men　looking　on　the　while。　　When　it　was　done；　still
they　offered　not　to　clothe　him；　but　led　him　out；　and　through　the
passages　again；　back　to　the　chamber。　　Only　this　time　he　must　pass
between　a　double　hedge　of　men；　some　weaponed；　some　in　peaceful
array；　but　all　clad　gloriously；　and　full　chieftain…like　of　aspect；
either　for　valiancy　or　wisdom。

In　the　chamber　itself　was　now　a　concourse　of　men；　of　great　estate　by
deeming　of　their　array；　but　all　these　were　standing　orderly　in　a
ring　about　the　ivory　chair　aforesaid。　　Now　said　Walter　to　himself：
Surely　all　this　looks　toward　the　knife　and　the　altar　for　me；　but　he
kept　a　stout　countenance　despite　of　all。

So　they　led　him　up　to　the　ivory　chair；　and　he　beheld　on　either　side
thereof　a　bench；　and　on　each　was　laid　a　set　of　raiment　from　the
shirt　upwards；　but　there　was　much　diversity　betwixt　these　arrays。
For　one　was　all　of　robes　of　peace；　glorious　and　be…gemmed；　unmeet
for　any　save　a　great　king；　while　the　other　was　war…weed；　seemly；
well…fashioned；　but　little　adorned；　nay　rather；　worn　and　bestained
with　weather；　and　the　pelting　of　the　spear…storm。

Now　those　old　men　signed　to　Walter　to　take　which　of　those　raiments
he　would；　and　do　it　on。　　He　looked　to　the　right　and　the　left；　and
when　he　had　looked　on　the　war…gear；　the　heart　arose　in　him；　and　he
called　to　mind　the　array　of　the　Goldings　in　the　forefront　of　battle；
and　he　made　one　step　toward　the　weapons；　and　laid　his　hand　thereon。
Then　ran　a　glad　murmur　through　that　concourse；　and　the　old　men　drew
up　to　him　smiling　and　joyous；　and　helped　him　to　do　them　on；　and　as
he　took　up　the　helm；　he　noted　that　over　its　broad　brown　iron　sat　a
golden　crown。

So　when　he　was　clad　and　weaponed；　girt　with　a　sword；　and　a　steel　axe
in　his　hand；　the　elders　showed　him　to　the　ivory　throne；　and　he　laid
the　axe　on　the　arm　of　the　chair；　and　drew　forth　the　sword　from　the
scabbard；　and　sat　him　down；　and　laid　the　ancient　blade　across　his
knees；　then　he　looked　about　on　those　great　men；　and　spake：　　〃How
long　shall　we　speak　no　word　to　each　other；　or　is　it　so　that　God　hath
stricken　you　dumb？〃

Then　all　they　cried　out　with　one　voice：　　〃All　hail　to　the　King；　the
King　of　Battle！〃

Spake　Walter：　　〃If　I　be　king；　will　ye　do　my　will　as　I　bid　you？〃

Answered　the　elder：　　〃Nought　have　we　will　to　do；　lord；　save　as　thou
biddest。〃

Said　Walter：　　〃Thou　then；　wilt　thou　answer　a　question　in　all　truth？〃

〃Yea；　lord；〃　said　the　elder；　〃if　I　may　live　afterward。〃

Then　said　Walter：　　〃The　woman　that　came　with　me　into　your　Camp　of
the　Mountain；　what　hath　befallen　her？〃

The　elder　answered：　　〃Nought　hath　befallen　her；　either　of　good　or
evil；　save　that　she　hath　slept　and　eaten　and　bathed　her。　　What；
then；　is　the　King's　pleasure　concerning　her？〃

〃That　ye　bring　her　hither　to　me　straightway；〃　said　Walter。

〃Yea；〃　said　the　elder；　〃and　in　what　guise　shall　we　bring　her　hither？
shall　she　be　arrayed　as　a　servant；　or　a　great　lady？〃

Then　Walter　pondered　a　while；　and　spake　at　last：　　〃Ask　her　what　is
her　will　herein；　and　as　she　will　have　it；　so　let　it　be。　　But　set　ye
another　chair　beside　mine；　and　lead　her　thereto。　　Thou　wise　old　man；
send　one　or　two　to　bring　her　in　hither；　but　abide　thou；　for　I　have　a
question　or　two　to　ask　of　thee　yet。　　And　ye；　lords；　abide　here　the
coming　of　my　she…fellow；　if　it　weary　you　not。〃

So　the　elder　spake　to　three　of　the　most　honourable　of　the　lords；　and
they　went　their　ways　to　bring　in　the　Maid。



CHAPTER　XXXIII：　　CONCERNING　THE　FASHION　OF　KING…MAKING　IN　STARK…WALL



Meanwhile　the　King　spake　to　the　elder；　and　said：　　〃Now　tell　me
whereof　I　am　become　king；　and　what　is　the　fashion　and　cause　of　the
king…making；　for　wondrous　it　is　to　me；　whereas　I　am　but　an　alien
amidst　of　mighty　men。〃

〃Lord；〃　said　the　old　man；　〃thou　art　become　king　of　a　mighty　city；
which　hath　under　it　many　other　cities　and　wide　lands；　and　havens　by
the　sea…side；　and　which　lacketh　no　wealth　which　men　desire。　　Many
wise　men　dwell　therein；　and　of　fools　not　more　than　in　other　lands。
A　valiant　host　shall　follow　thee　to　battle　when　needs　must　thou　wend
afield；　an　host　not　to　be　withstood；　save　by　the　ancient　God…folk；
if　any　of　them　were　left　upon　the　earth；　as　belike　none　are。　　And　as
to　the　name　of　our　said　city；　it　hight　the　City　of　the　Stark…wall；
or　more　shortly；　Stark…wall。　　Now　as　to　the　fashion　of　our　king…
making：　　If　our　king　dieth　and　leaveth　an　heir　male；　begotten　of　his
body；　then　is　he　king　after　him；　but　if　he　die　and　leave　no　heir；
then　send　we　out　a　great　lord；　with　knights　and　sergeants；　to　that
pass　of　the　mountain　whereto　ye　came　yesterday；　and　the　first　man
that　cometh　unto　them；　they　take　and　lead　to　the　city；　as　they　did
with　thee；　lord。　　For　we　believe　and　trow　that　of　old　time　our
forefathers　came　down　from　the　mountains　by　that　same　pass；　poor　and
rude；　but　full　of　valiancy；　before　they　conquered　these　lands；　and
builded　the　Stark…wall。　　But　now　furthermore；　when　we　have　gotten
the　said　wanderer；　and　brought　him　home　to　our　city；　we　behold　him
mother…naked；　all　the　great　men　of　us；　both　sages　and　warriors；　then
if　we　find　him　ill…fashioned　and　counterfeit　of　his　body；　we　roll
him　in　a　great　carpet　till　he　dies；　or　whiles；　if　he　be　but　a　simple
man；　and　without　guile；　we　deliver　him　for　thrall　to　some　artificer
amongst　us；　as　a　shoemaker；　a　wright；　or　what　not；　and　so　forget
him。　　But　in　either　case　we　make　as　if　no　such　man　had　come　to　us；
and　we　send　again　the　lord　and　his　knights　to　watch　the　pass；　for　we
say　that　such　an　one　the　Fathers　of　old　time　have　not　sent　us。　　But
again；　when　we　have　seen　to　the　new…comer　that　he　is　well…fashioned
of　his　body；　all　is　not　done；　for　we　deem　that　never　would　the
Fathers　send　us　a　dolt　or　a　craven　to　be　our　king。　　Therefore　we　bid
the　naked　one　take　to　him　which　he　will　of　these　raiments；　either
the　ancient　armour；　which　now　thou　bearest；　lord；　or　this　golden
raiment　here；　and　if　he　take　the　war…gear；　as　thou　takedst　it；　King；
it　is　well；　but　if　he　take　the　raiment　of　peace；　then　hath　he　the
choice　either　to　be　thrall　of　some　goodman　of　the　city；　or　to　be
proven　how　wise　he　may　be；　and　so　fare　the　narrow　edge　betwixt　death
and　kingship；　for　if　he　fall　short　of　his　wisdom；　then　shall　he　die
the　death。　　Thus　is　thy　question　answered；　King；　and　praise　be　to
the　Fathers　that　they　have　sent　us　one　whom　none　may　doubt；　either
for　wisdom　or　valiancy。〃



CHAPTER　XXXIV：　　NOW　COMETH　THE　MAID　TO　THE　KING



Then　all　they　bowed　before　the　King；　and　he　spake　again：　　〃What　is
that　noise　that　I　hear　without；　as　if　it　were　the　rising　of　the　sea
on　a　sandy　shore；　when　the　south…west　wind　is　blowing。〃

Then　the　elder　opened　his　mouth　to　answer；　but　before　he　might　get
out　the　word；　there　was　a　stir　without　the　chamber　door；　and　the
throng　parted；　and　lo！　amidst　of　them　came　the　Maid；　and　she　yet
clad　in　nought　save　the　white　coat　wherewith　she　had　won　through　the
wilderness；　save　that　on　her　head　was　a　garland　of　red　roses；　and
her　middle　was　wreathed　with　the　same。　　Fresh　and　fair　she　was　as
the　dawn　of　June；　her　face　bright；　red…lipped；　and　clear…eyed；　and
her　cheeks　flushed　with　hope　and　love。　　She　went　straight　to　Walter
where　he　sat；　and　lightly　put　away　with　her　hand　the　elder　who　would
lead　her　to　the　ivory　throne　beside　the　King；　but　she　knelt　down
before　him；　and　laid　her　hand　on　his　steel…clad　knee；　and　said：　　〃O
my　lord；　now　I　see　that　thou　hast　beguiled　me；　and　that　thou　wert
all　along　a　king…born　man　coming　home　to　thy　realm。　　But　so　dear
thou　hast　been　to　me；　and　so　fair　and　clear；　and　so　kind　wi