exceeding goodly, and had trees and flowers and fruits in them
which Ralph had not seen hitherto, as lemons, and oranges,
and pomegranates; and the waters were running through them
in runnels of ashlar; and the weather was fair and hot;
so they rested in those gardens till it was evening, and then
gat them home to Fleece, where they had good entertainment.



CHAPTER 24

Ralph Heareth More Tidings of the Damsel


The second day, while the merchants saw to their chaffer,
most of the men-at-arms, and Ralph with them, spent their time
again in those goodly gardens; where, indeed, some of them made
friends of fair women of the place; in which there was less risk
than had been for aliens in some towns, whereas at Cheaping
Knowe such women as were wedded according to law, or damsels
in the care of their kindred, or slaves who were concubines,
had not dared so much as to look on a man.

The third day time hung somewhat heavy on Ralph's hands,
not but that the Companions were well at ease, but rather
because himseemed that he was not stirring in the quest.

But the next day Clement bade him come see that thrall-merchant aforesaid,
and brought him to a corner of the market-place, where was a throng looking
on at the cheaping. They went through the throng, and beside a stone