CHAPTER 34

The Lord of Utterbol Will Wot of Ralph's Might and Minstrelsy


A little before sunset they made halt for the night, and Ralph was shown
to a tent as erst, and had meat and drink good enough brought to him.
But somewhat after he had done eating comes David to him and says:
"Up, young man! and come to my lord, he asketh for thee."

"What will he want with me?" said Ralph.

"Yea, that is a proper question to ask!" quoth David; "as though
the knife should ask the cutler, what wilt thou cut with me?
Dost thou deem that I durst ask him of his will with thee?"
"I am ready to go with thee," said Ralph.

So they went forth; but Ralph's heart fell and he sickened at the thought
of seeing that man again. Nevertheless he set his face as brass,
and thrust back both his fear and his hatred for a fitter occasion.

Soon they came into the pavilion of the Lord, who was sitting there
as yester eve, save that his gown was red, and done about with gold
and turquoise and emerald. David brought Ralph nigh to his seat,
but spake not. The mighty lord was sitting with his head drooping,
and his arm hanging over his knee, with a heavy countenance
as though he were brooding matters which pleased him naught.
But in a while he sat up with a start, and turned about and saw David
standing there with Ralph, and spake at once like a man waking up: