and be we riding to battle?" "Maybe," quoth Clement;
"the way is long, and our goods worth the lifting, and there
are some rough places that we must needs pass through.
But if ye like not the journey, abide here in this town
the onset of Walter the Black."

Therewith he laughed, and Ralph understanding the jape, laughed also;
and said: "Well, master Clement, but tell me who be these that we
shall meet." "Yea, and I will tell thee the whole tale of them,"
said Clement, "but abide till we are without the gates; I am busy
man e'en now, for all is ready for the road, save what I must do.
So now bid thy Upmeads squire farewell, and then to horse with thee!"

So Ralph cast his arms about Richard, and kissed him and said:
"This is also a farewell to the House where I was born and bred."
And as he spake the thought of the House and the garden, and the
pleasant fields of Upmeads came into his heart so bitter-sweet,
that it mingled with his sorrow, and well-nigh made him weep.
But as for Richard he forebore words, for he was sad at heart
for the sundering.

Then he gat to horse, and the whole company of them bestirred them,
and they rode out a-gates. And master Clement it was that ordered them,
riding up and down along the array.

But Ralph fell to speech with the chapmen and men-at-arms;
and both of these were very courteous with him; for they rejoiced
in his company, and especially the chapmen, who were somewhat
timorous of the perils of the road.