ereas he deemed that both of these, each in his own way,
had been true to the lady whom he had lost.

Then Otter fell a-talking to him of the change of days at Utterbol, and
how that it was the Lord's intent that a cheaping town should grow up
in the Dale of the Tower, and that the wilderness beyond it should be
tilled and builded. "And," said he, "if this be done, and the new lord
live to see it, as he may, being but young of years, he may become
exceedingly mighty, and if he hold on in the way whereas he now is, he
shall be well-beloved also."

So they spake of many things, and there was minstrelsy and diverse
joyance, till at last the Lord of Utterbol stood up and said: "Now
bring in the Bull, that we may speak some words over him; for this is a
great feast." Ralph wondered what bull this might be whereof he spake;
but the harps and fiddlers, and all instruments of music struck up a
gay and gallant tune, and presently there came into the hall four men
richly attired, who held up on spears a canopy of bawdekin, under which
went a man-at-arms helmed, and clad in bright armour, who held in his
hands a great golden cup fashioned like to a bull, and he bore it forth
unto the dais, and gave it into the hands of the Lord. Then
straightway all the noise ceased, and the glee and clatter of the hall,
and there was dead silence. Then the Lord held the cup aloft and said
in a loud voice:

"Hail, all ye folk! I swear by the Bull, and they that made him, that
in three years' time or less I will have purged all the lands of
Utterbol of all strong-thieves and cruel tyrants, be they big or
little, till all be peace betwixt the mountains and the mark of
Goldburg; and the wilderness shall blossom like the rose. Or else
shall I die in the pain."

Therewith he drank of the cup, and all men shouted. Then he sat him
down and bade hand the cup to Otter; and Otter took the cup and looked
into the bowl and saw the wave of wine, and laughed and cried out: "As
for me, what shall I swear but that I will follow the Bull through
thick and thin, through peace and unpeace, through grief and joy. This
is my oath-swearing."

And he drank mightily and sat down.

Then turned the Lord to Ralph and said: "And thou who art my master,
wilt thou not tell thy friends and the Gods what thou wilt do?"

"No great matter, belike," said Ralph; "but if ye will it, I will speak
out my mind thereon."

"We will it," said the Lord.

Then Ralph aros