his grief for her he had no speech, and scarce a look for her;
he knew not what to do or say.

So he left the Queen's House and the court thereof, as though
the pavement were growing red hot beneath his feet.



CHAPTER 30

Ralph Hath Hope of Tidings Concerning the Well at the World's End


Now he goes to Clement, and tells him that he deems he has no need
to abide their departure from Goldburg to say farewell and follow
his quest further afield; since it is clear that in Goldburg
he should have no more tidings. Clement laughed and said:
"Not so fast, Lord Ralph; thou mayst yet hear a word or two."
"What!" said Ralph, "hast thou heard of something new?"
Said Clement: "There has been a man here seeking thee,
who said that he wotted of a wise man who could tell thee much
concerning the Well at the World's End. And when I asked him
of the Damsel and the Lord of Utterbol, if he knew anything of her,
he said yea, but that he would keep it for thy privy ear.
So I bade him go and come again when thou shouldst be here.
And I deem that he will not tarry long."

Now they were sitting on a bench outside the hall of the hostel,
with the court between them and the gate; and Ralph said:
"Tell me, didst thou deem the man good or bad?" Said Clement: