CHAPTER 19

Master Clement Tells Ralph Concerning the Lands Whereunto They Were Riding


When they were gotten a mile or two from Whitwall,
and all was going smoothly, Clement came up to Ralph and rode
at his left hand, and fell to speech with him, and said:
"Now, lord, will I tell thee more concerning our journey,
and the folk that we are like to meet upon the road.
And of the perils, whatso they may be, I told thee not before,
because I knew thee desirous of seeking adventures east-away,
and knew that my tales would not hinder thee."

"Yea," said Ralph, "and had not this goodly fellowship been, I had gone alone,
or with any carle that I could have lightly hired."

Clement laughed and said: "Fair sir, thou wouldst have failed
of hiring any one man to go with thee east-ward a many miles.
For with less than a score of men well-armed the danger of death
or captivity is over great, if ye ride the mountain ways unto
Cheaping Knowe. Yea, and even if a poor man who hath nothing,
wend that way alone, he may well fall among thieves, and be stolen
himself body and bones, for lack of anything better to steal."

Hereat Ralph felt his heart rise, when he thought of battle and strife,
and he made his horse to spring somewhat, and then he said:
"It liketh me well, dear friend, that I ride not with thee for naught,