,*APT] #ai 
,! ,FAIR ,WOMAN ,TELLE? ,FACE-,(-,GOD ,( ,H] ,K9DR$ 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,:5 HE CAME BACK TO ! DAIS HE SAW ?AT !RE WAS MEAT UPON ! BO>D1 & ! ,FRI5D SAID TO HIM3  

',N[ >T ?\ ,GOLD-MANE 9DE$3  BUT COME N[1 SIT BY ME & EAT1 ?\< ! ,WOOD-WOMAN GIVE? !E BUT A SORRY BANQUET1 ,O GUE/2 BUT FROM ! ,DALE IT IS1 & WE BE TOO F> N[ FROM ! DWELL+S ( M5 TO HAVE DELICATE MEAT ON ! BO>D1 ?\< TO-NI<T :5 !Y COME BACK ?Y *E] %ALL BE BETT]4  ,YET EV5 !N ?\ %ALT HAVE NO SU* DA9TIES AS ,/ONE-FACE HA? IMAG9$ = !E AT ! H&S ( ! ,WOOD-WI<T4'  

,%E LAU<$ !RE)1 & HE NO LESS2 & 9 SOO? ! MEAT WAS BUT SIMPLE1 ( CURDS & NEW *EESE1 MEAT ( ! H]DSM54  ,BUT ,FACE-(- GOD SAID GAILY3  ',SWEET IT %ALL BE TO ME2 GOOD IS ALL ?AT ! ,FRI5D GIVE?4'  

,!N %E RAIS$ H] H& & MADE ! SIGN ( ! ,HAMM] OV] ! BO>D1 & LOOK$ UP AT HIM & SAID3  

',HA? ! ,E>?-GOD *ANG$ MY FACE1 ,GOLD-MANE1 TO :AT ,I V]ILY AM8'  

,HE HELD HIS FACE CLOSE TO H]S & LOOK$ 9TO IT1 & HIM-SEEM$ IT WAS AS PURE AS ! WAT]S ( A M\NTA9 LAKE1 & AS F9E & WELL- WR\<T EV]Y DEAL ( IT AS :5 HIS FA!R HAD WR\<T 9 HIS /I?Y MANY DAYS & FA%ION$ A SMALL PIECE ( GREAT MA/]Y4  ,HE WAS A%AM$ TO KISS H] AGA91 BUT HE SAID TO HIMSELF1 ',?IS IS ! FAIRE/ WOMAN ( ! WORLD1 :OM ,I HAVE SWORN TO W$ ?IS YE>4' ,!N HE SPAKE AL\D & SAID3  

',I SEE ! FACE ( ! ,FRI5D1 & IT WILL NOT *ANGE TO ME4'  

,AGA9 %E R$D5$ A LITTLE1 & ! HAPPY LOOK 9 H] FACE SEEM$ TO GR[ YET SWEET]1 & HE WAS BEWILD]$ ) LONG+ & DELI<T4  

,BUT %E /OOD UP & W5T TO AN AMBRYE 9 ! WALL & BR\<T =? A HORN %OD & LIPP$ ) SILV] ( ANCI5T FA%ION1 & %E P\R$ W9E 9TO IT & HELD IT =? & SAID3  

',O GUE/ FROM ! ,DALE1 ,I PL$GE !E6 & :5 ?\ HA/ DRUNK TO ME 9 TURN WE WILL TALK ( WEI<TY MATT]S4  ,= 9DE$ ,I BE> HOPES 9 MY H&S TOO HEAVY = ! DAU<T]S ( M5 TO BE>2 & ?\ >T A *IEFTA9'S SON1 & MAY/ WELL HELP ME TO BE> !M2 SO LET US TALK SIMPLY & )\T GUILE1 AS FOLK ?AT TRU/ ONE ANO!R4'  

,SO %E DRANK & HELD \T ! HORN TO HIM1 & HE TOOK ! HORN & H] H& BO?1 & HE KISS$ H] H& & SAID3  

',H]E 9 ?IS ,HALL ,I DR9K TO ! ,SONS ( ! ,WOLF1 :OSOEV] !Y BE4'  ,!RE) HE DRANK & HE SAID3  ',SIMPLY & GUILELESSLY 9DE$ WILL ,I TALK ) !E2 = ,I AM WE>Y ( LIES1 & = ?Y SAKE HAVE ,I TOLD A MANY4'  

',?\ %ALT TELL NO MORE1' %E SAID2 '& AS = ! HEAL? ?\ HA/ DRUNK1 IT IS GOOD1 & %ALL PR(IT !E4  ,N[ SIT WE H]E 9 !SE ANCI5T SEATS & LET US TALK4'  

,SO !Y SAT !M D[N :ILE ! SUN WAS WE/]+ 9 ! ,M>* AFT]NOON1 & %E SAID3  

',TELL ME FIR/ :AT TID+S HAVE BE5 9 ! ,DALE4'  

,SO HE TOLD H] ( ! RANSACK+S & ( ! MURD] AT ,C>L/EAD4  

,%E SAID3  ',!SE TID+S HAVE WE HE>D BE=E1 & SOME DEAL ( !M WE KN[ BETT] ?AN YE DO1 OR CAN2 = WE W]E ! RANSACK]S ( ,P5NY-?UMB & ,H>TS-BANE4  ,!RE( WILL ,I SAY MORE PRES5TLY4  ,:AT O!R TID+S HA/ ?\ TO TELL (8  ,:AT OA?S W]E SWORN UPON ! ,BO> LA/ ,YULE8'  

,SO HE TOLD H] ( ! OA? ( ,BRI/L] ! SON ( ,BRI<TL+4  ,%E SMIL$ & SAID3  ',HE %ALL KEEP HIS OA?1 & YET R$D5 NO BLADE4'  

,!N HE TOLD ( HIS FA!R'S OA?1 & %E SAID3  

',IT IS GOOD2 BUT EV5 SO W\LD HE DO & NO OA? SWORN4  ,ALL M5 MAY TRU/ ,IRON-FACE4  ,& ?\1 MY FRI5D1 :AT OA? DID/ ?\ SWE>8'  

,HIS FACE GREW SOME:AT TR\BL$ AS HE SAID3  ',I SWORE TO W$ ! FAIRE/ WOMAN 9 ! WORLD1 ?\< ! ,DALESM5 GA9SAID ME1 & !Y BEYOND ! ,DALE4'  

',YEA1' %E SAID1 '& !RE IS NO NE$ TO ASK !E :OM ?\ DID/ MEAN BY ?Y 0FAIRE/ WOMAN10 = ,I HAVE SE5 ?AT ?\ DEEME/ ME FAIR 5\<4  ,MY FRI5D1 MAYBE ?Y K9DR$ WILL BE AGA9/ IT1 & ! K9DR$ ( ! ,BRIDE2 & IT MI<T BE ?AT MY K9DR$ W\LD HAVE GA9SAID IT IF ?+S W]E NOT AS !Y >E4  ,BUT ?\< ALL M5 GA9SAY IT1 YET WILL NOT ,I4  ,IT IS MEET & RI<T ?AT WE TWA9 W$4'  

,%E SPAKE V]Y SOB]LY & QUIETLY1 BUT :5 %E HAD SPOK5 !RE WAS NO?+ 9 HIS HE>T BUT JOY & GLADNESS3  YET %AME ( H] LOVEL9ESS REFRA9$ HIM1 & HE CA/ D[N HIS EYES BE=E H]S4 ,!N %E SAID 9 A K9D VOICE3  

',I KN[ !E1 H[ GLAD ?\ >T ( ?IS WORD ( M9E1 BECAUSE ?\ LOOKE/ ON ME ) EYES ( LOVE1 & ?9KE/ ( ME AS BETT] ?AN ,I AM2 ?\< ,I AM NO ILL WOMAN & NO BEGUIL]4  ,BUT ?IS IS NOT ALL ?AT ,I HAVE TO SAY TO !E1 ?\< IT BE MU*2 = !RE >E MORE FOLK 9 ! WORLD ?AN ?\ & ,I ONLY4  ,BUT ,I TOLD !E ?IS FIR/1 ?AT ?\ MI<TE/ TRU/ ME 9 ALL ?+S4  ,SO1 MY FRI5D1 IF ?\ CAN/1 REFRA9 ?Y JOY & ?Y LONG+ A LITTLE1 & HE>K5 TO :AT CONC]NE? !E & ME1 & ?Y PEOPLE & M9E4'  

',FAIR WOMAN & SWEET FRI5D1' HE SAID1 '?\ KN[E/ ( A GLADNESS :I* IS H>D TO BE> IF ONE MU/ LAY IT ASIDE = A :ILE2 & ( A LONG+ :I* IS H>D TO REFRA9 IF IT M+LE ) ANO!R LONG+-- KN[E/ ?\ NOT8'  

',YEA1' %E SAID1 ',I KN[ IT4'  

',YET1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 ',I WILL =BE> AS ?\ BIDDE/ ME4  ,TELL ME1 !N1 :AT W]E ! FELONS :O W]E SLA9 AT ,C>L/EAD8  ,KN[E/ ?\ ( !M8'  

',OV] WELL1' %E SAID1 '!Y >E \R FOES ?IS MANY A YE>2 & S9CE WE MET LA/ AUTUMN !Y HAVE BECOME FOES ( Y\ ,DALESM5 ALSO4  ,SOON %ALL YE HAVE TID+S ( !M2 & IT WAS AGA9/ !M ?AT ,I BADE !E >M YE/]DAY4'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',IS IT AGA9/ !M ?AT ?\ W\LD/ HAVE US DO BATTLE ALONG ) ?Y FOLK8'  

',SO IT IS1' %E SAID2 'NO O!R FOEM5 HAVE WE4  ,& N[1 ,GOLD-MANE1 ?\ >T BECOME A FRI5D ( ! ,WOLF1 & %ALT BE=E LONG BE ( AFF9ITY ) \R ,H\SE2 ?AT O!R DAY ?\ DID/ ASK ME TO TELL !E ( ME & M9E1 & N[ WILL ,I DO ACCORD+ TO ?9E ASK+4 ,%ORT %ALL MY TALE BE2 BECAUSE MAYBE ?\ %ALT HE> IT TOLD AGA91 & 9 GOODLY WISE1 BE=E ?9E :OLE FOLK4  

',AS ?\ WOTTE/ WE BE N[ \TLAWS & ,WOLVES' ,HEADS2 & :ILES WE LIFT ! GE> ( M51 BUT EV] IF WE MAY ( ILL M5 & NOT ( GOOD2 !RE IS NO WOR?Y GOODMAN ( ! ,DALE FROM :OM WE W\LD TAKE ONE HO(1 OR A SK9 ( W9E1 OR A CAKE ( WAX4  

',:]E=E >E WE \TLAWS8  ,BECAUSE WE HAVE BE5 DRIV5 FROM \R [N1 & WE BORE AWAY \R LIVES & \R WEAPONS1 & LITTLE ELSE2 & = \R L&S1 ?\ SEE/ ?IS ,VALE 9 ! H[L+ WILD]NESS & H[ N>R[ & POOR IT IS1 ?\< IT HA? BE5 ! NURSE ( W>RIORS 9 TIME PA/4  

',HE>K56  ,TIME LONG AGO CAME ! K9DR$ ( ! ,WOLF TO !SE ,M\NTA9S ( ! ,WORLD2 & !Y W]E 9 A PASS 9 ! /ONY MAZE & ! UTT] WILD]NESS ( ! ,M\NTA9S1 & ! FOE WAS BEH9D !M 9 NUMB]S NOT TO BE BORNE UP AGA9/4  ,& SO IT BEFELL ?AT ! PASS =K$1 & !RE W]E TWO WAYS BE=E \R ,FOLK2 & ONE P>T ( !M W\LD TAKE ! WAY TO ! NOR? & ! O!R ! WAY TO ! S\?2 & !Y C\LD NOT AGREE :I* WAY ! :OLE ,FOLK %\LD TAKE4  ,SO !Y SUND]$ 9TO TWO COMPANIES1 & ONE TOOK ONE WAY & ONE ANO!R4  ,N[ AS TO ?OSE :O F>$ BY ! S\!RN ROAD1 WE KNEW NOT :AT BEFELL !M1 NOR = LONG & LONG HAD WE ANY TALE ( !M4  

',BUT WE :O TOOK ! NOR!RN ROAD1 WE HAPP5$ ON ?IS ,VALE AMID ! WILD]NESS1 & WE W]E WE>Y ( FLEE+ FROM ! OV]-MA/]+ FOE2 & ! DALE SEEM$ 5\<1 & A REFUGE1 & A PLACE TO DWELL 91 & NO MAN WAS !RE BE=E US1 & FEW W]E LIKE TO F9D IT1 & WE W]E BUT A FEW4  ,SO WE DWELT H]E 9 ?IS ,VALE = AS WILD AS IT IS1 ! PLACE :]E ! SUN %9E? NEV] 9 ! W9T]1 & SCANT IS ! SUMM] SUN%9E !RE94  ,H]E WE RAIS$ A ,DOOM-R+ & BUILD$ US A ,HALL1 :]E9 ?\ N[ SITTE/ BESIDE ME1 ,O FRI5D1 & WE DWELT H]E MANY SEASONS4  

',WE HAD A FEW %EEP 9 ! WILD]NESS1 & A FEW NEAT F$ D[N ! GRASS ( ! ,VALE2 & WE F\ND GEMS & COPP] 9 ! ROCKS AB\T US :]E) AT :ILES TO *AFF] ) ! ALI5S1 & FI% WE DREW FROM \R RIV] ! ,%IV]+ ,FLOOD4  ,ALSO IT IS NOT TO BE HIDD5 ?AT 9 ?OSE DAYS WE DID NOT SP>E TO LIFT ! GOODS ( M52 YEA1 :ILES W\LD \R W>RIORS F>E D[N UNTO ! $GES ( ! ,PLA9 & LIE 9 WAIT !RE TILL ! TIME S]V$1 & !N DRIVE ! SPOIL FROM UND] ! V]Y WALLS ( ! ,CITIES4  ,\R M5 W]E NOT LITTLE-HE>T$1 NOR DID \R WOM5 LAM5T ! DEA? ( W>RIORS OV]-MU*1 = !Y W]E !RE TO BE> MORE W>RIORS TO ! ,FOLK4  

',BUT ! SEASONS PASS$1 & ! ,FOLK MULTIPLI$ 9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 & LIVELIHOOD SEEM$ LIKE TO FAIL !M1 & NE$S MU/ !Y SEEK WID] L&S4  ,SO BY WAYS :I* ?\ WILT ONE DAY WOT (1 WE CAME 9TO A VALLEY ?AT LIE? NOR?-WE/ ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE3  A L& LIKE ?9E ( ,BURGDALE1 OR BETT]2 WIDE IT WAS1 PL5TE\S ( GRASS & TREES1 WELL WAT]$1 FULL ( ALL ?+S ?AT MAN CAN DESIRE4  

',W]E !RE M5 BE=E US 9 ?IS ,DALE8 SAYE/ ?\4  ,YEA1 BUT NOT V]Y MANY1 & !Y FEEBLE 9 BATTLE1 WEAK ( HE>T1 ?\< /RONG ( BODY4  ,!SE1 :5 !Y SAW ! ,SONS ( ! ,WOLF ) WEAPONS 9 !IR H&S1 FELT !MSELVES PUNY BE=E US1 & !IR HE>TS FAIL$ !M2 & !Y CAME TO US ) GIFTS1 & (F]$ TO %>E ! ,DALE BETWE5 !M & US1 = !Y SAID !RE WAS 5\< = BO? FOLKS4 ,SO WE TOOK !IR (F] & BECAME !IR FRI5DS2 & SOME ( \R ,H\SES W$D$ WIVES ( ! /RANG]S1 & GAVE !M !IR WOM5 TO WIFE4  ,!RE9 !Y DID AMISS2 = ! BL5D$ ,FOLK AS ! G5]ATIONS PASS$ BECAME S(T] ?AN \R BLOOD1 & MANY W]E UNTRU/Y & GRE$Y & TYRANN\S1 & ! DAYS ( ! :OR$OM FELL UPON US1 & :5 WE DEEM$ \RSELVES ! MI<TIE/ !N W]E WE ! NE>E/ TO \R FALL4  ,BUT ! ,H\SE :]E( ,I AM W\LD NEV] W$ ) !SE ,WE/L&]S1 & O!R ,H\SES !RE W]E :O HAD AFF9ITY ) US :O *IEFLY W$D$ ) US ( ! ,WOLF1 & !IR FA!RS HAD COME ) \RS 9TO ?AT FRUITFUL ,DALE2 & !SE W]E CALL$ ! ,R$ ,H&1 & ! ,SILV] ,>M1 & ! ,GOLD5 ,BU%EL1 & ! ,RAGG$ ,SWORD4  ,?\ HA/ HE>D ?OSE NAMES ONCE BE=E1 FRI5D8'  

',YEA1' HE SAID1 & AS HE SPOKE ! PICTURE ( ?AT O!R DAY CAME BACK TO HIM1 & HE CALL$ TO M9D ALL ?AT HE HAD SAID1 & HIS HAPP9ESS ( ?AT H\R SEEM$ ! MORE & ! SWEET] = ?AT MEMORY4  

,%E W5T ON3  ',FAIR & GOODLY IS ?AT ,DALE AS M9E [N EYES HAVE SE51 & PL5TIFUL ( ALL ?+S1 & UP 9 ITS M\NTA9S TO ! EA/ >E CAVES & PITS :5CE SILV] IS DIGG$ ABUNDANTLY2 !RE=E IS ! ,DALE CALL$ ,SILV]-DALE4  ,HA/ ?\ HE>D !RE(1 MY FRI5D8'  

',NAY1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 '?\< ,I HAVE M>VEL$ :5CE YE GAT SU* FOISON ( SILV]4'  

,HE LOOK$ ON H] & M>VEL$1 = N[ %E SEEM$ AS IF IT W]E ANO!R WOMAN3  H] EYES W]E GLEAM+ BRI<T1 H] LIPS W]E P>T$2 !RE WAS A BRI<T R$ FLU% ON ! POMMELS ( H] TWO *EEKS AS %E SPAKE AGA9 & SAID3  

',HAPPY LIV$ ! ,FOLK 9 ,SILV]-DALE = MANY & MANY W9T]S & SUMM]S3  ! SEASONS W]E GOOD & NO LACK WAS !RE3  LITTLE SICKNESS !RE WAS & LESS W>1 & ALL SEEM$ BETT] ?AN WELL4  ,IT IS /RANGE ?AT YE ,DALESM5 HAVE NOT HE>D ( ,SILV]-DALE4'  

',NAY1' SAID HE1 'BUT ,I HAVE NOT2 ( ,ROSE-DALE HAVE ,I HE>D1 AS A L& V]Y F> AWAY3  BUT NO FUR!R DO WE KN[ ( T[>D ?AT AIRT4  ,LIE? ,SILV]-DALE ANY:]E NI< TO ,ROSE-DALE8'  

,%E SAID3  ',IT IS ! NEXT DALE TO IT1 YET IS IT A F> J\RNEY BETWIXT ! TWO1 = ! ICE-SEA PU%E? A HORN 9 BETWIXT !M2 & EV5 BEL[ ! ICE ! M\NTA9-NECK IS PASSABLE TO NONE SAVE A BOLD CRAG-CLIMB]1 & TO HIM ONLY BE>+ HIS LIFE 9 HIS H&S4  ,BUT1 MY FRI5D1 ,I AM BUT L+]+ OV] MY TALE1 BECAUSE IT GRIEVE? ME SORE TO HAVE TO TELL IT4  ,HE>K5 !N6  ,9 ! DAYS :5 ,I HAD SE5 BUT T5 SUMM]S1 & MY BRO!R WAS A V]Y Y\NG MAN1 BUT EXCE$+ /RONG1 & AS BEAUTIFUL AS ?\ >T N[1 W> FELL ON US )\T RUMOR OR W>N+2 = !RE SW>M$ 9TO ,SILV]-DALE1 ?\< NOT BY ! WAYS :]EBY WE HAD 5T]$ IT1 A HO/ ( ALI5S1 %ORT ( /ATURE1 CROOK$ ( LIMB1 F\L ( ASPECT1 BUT FI]CE W>RIORS & >M$ FULL WELL3  !Y W]E M5 HAV+ NO C\NTRY TO GO BACK TO1 ?\< !Y HAD NO WOM5 OR *ILDR5 ) !M1 AS WE HAD :5 WE W]E Y\NG 9 !SE L&S1 BUT US$ ALL WOM5 :OM !Y TOOK AS !IR BEA/LY LU/ BADE !M1 MAK+ !M !IR ?RALLS IF !Y SLEW !M NOT4  ,SOON WE F\ND ?AT !SE FOEM5 ASK$ NO MORE ( US ?AN ALL WE HAD1 & !RE)AL \R LIVES TO BE CA/ AWAY OR US$ = !IR S]VICE AS BEA/S ( BURD5 OR PLEASURE4  ,!RE !N WE GA!R$ \R FI<T+-M5 & )/OOD !M2 & IF WE HAD BE5 ALL ( ! K9DR$S ( ! ,WOLF & ! FRUIT ( ! WIVES ( W>RIORS1 WE %\LD HAVE DRIV5 BACK !SE FELONS & SAV$ ! ,DALE1 ?\< IT MAYBE MORE ?AN HALF RU9$3  BUT ! MO/ P>T ( US W]E ( ?AT M+L$ BLOOD1 OR ( ! G5]ATIONS ( ! ,DALESM5 :OM WE HAD CONQU]$ LONG AGO1 & /\T AS !Y W]E ( BODY !IR HE>TS FAIL$ !M1 & !Y GAVE !MSELVES UP TO ! ALI5S TO BE AS !IR OX5 & ASSES4  

',:Y MAKE A LONG TALE ( IT8  ,WE :O W]E LEFT1 & C\LD BROOK DEA? BUT NOT ?RALLDOM1 F\<T IT \T TOGE!R1 WOM5 AS WELL AS M51 TILL ! SWEETNESS ( LIFE & A HAPPY *ANCE = ESCAPE BID US FLEE1 VANQUI%$ BUT FREE M54  ,= AT ! 5D ( ?REE DAYS' FI<T WE HAD BE5 DRIV5 UP TO ! EA/]NMO/ 5D ( ! ,DALE1 & UP ANI< TO ! JAWS ( ! PASS :]EBY ! ,FOLK HAD FIR/ COME 9TO ,SILV]- DALE1 & WE HAD ?OSE ) US :O KNEW EV]Y CRANNY ( ?AT WAY1 :ILE TO /RANG]S :O KNEW IT NOT IT WAS UTT]LY IMPASSABLE2 NI<T WAS COM+ ON ALSO1 & EV5 ?OSE MURD]-C>LES W]E WE>Y ) SLAY+2 &1 MOREOV]1 ON ?IS LA/ DAY1 :5 !Y SAW ?AT !Y HAD WON ALL1 !Y W]E FI<T+ TO KEEP1 & NOT TO SLAY1 & A FEW /UBBORN C>LES & QUE5S1 ( :AT USE W\LD !Y BE1 OR :]E WAS ! GA9 ( RISK+ LIFE TO W9 !M8  

',SO !Y =BORE US1 & NI<T CAME ON MOONLESS & D>K2 & IT WAS ! E>LY SPR+ SEASON1 :5 ! DAYS >E NOT YET LONG1 & SO BY NI<T & CL\D WE FL$ AWAY1 & BACK AGA9 TO ,%AD[Y ,VALE4  

',=SOO?1 WE W]E BUT A FEW2 = :5 WE W]E GOTT5 9TO ?IS ,VALE1 ?IS /RIP ( GRASS & WAT] 9 ! WILD]NESS1 & HAD TOLD UP \R COMPANY1 WE W]E BUT TWO HUNDR$ & ?IRTY & FIVE ( M5 & WOM5 & *ILDR54  ,= !RE W]E AN HUNDR$ & ?IRTY & ?REE GR[N M5 ( ALL AGES1 & ( WOM5 GR[N SEV5TY & FIVE1 & ONE SCORE & SEV5 *ILDR51 :]E( ,I WAS ONE2 =1 AS ?\ MAY/ DEEM1 IT WAS EASI] = GR[N M5 ) WEAPONS 9 !IR H&S TO ESCAPE FROM ?AT SLAU<T] ?AN = WOM5 & *ILDR54  

',!RE SAT WE 9 YOND] ,DOOM-R+ & TOOK C\NSEL1 & TO SOME IT SEEM$ GOOD ?AT WE %\LD ALL DWELL TOGE!R 9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 & BESET ! SKIRTS ( ! FOEM5 TILL ! DAYS %\LD BETT]2 BUT O!RS DEEM$ ?AT !RE WAS LITTLE AVAIL !RE92 & !RE WAS A MI<TY MAN ( ! K9DR$1 ,/ONE-WOLF BY NAME1 A MAN ( MIDDLE-AGE1 & HE SAID1 ?AT LATE 9 LIFE HAD HE TA/$ ( W>1 & ?\< ! BANQUET WAS MADE BITT] ) DEFEAT1 YET DID ! MEAT SEEM :OLESOME TO HIM4  0,COME D[N ) ME TO ! ,CITIES ( ! ,PLA910 SAID HE1 0ALL Y\ :O >E /\T W>RIORS2 & LEAVE WE H]E ! OLD M5 & ! SWA9S & ! WOM5 & *ILDR54  ,HATEFUL >E ! FOLK !RE1 & FULL ( MALICE1 BUT S(T )AL & DA/>DLY4  ,LET US GO D[N ?I!R & MAKE \RSELVES /RONG AMONG !M1 & SELL \R VALOR = !IR WEAL? TILL WE COME TO RULE !M1 & !Y MAKE US !IR K+S1 & WE E/ABLI% ! ,FOLK ( ! ,WOLF AMONG ! ALI5S2 !N WILL WE COME BACK HI!R & BR+ AWAY ?AT :I* WE HAVE LEFT40  

',SO HE SPAKE1 & ! MORE P>T ( ! W>RIORS YEA SAID HIS R$E1 & !Y W5T ) HIM TO ! ,WE/L&1 & AMONG !SE WAS MY BRO!R ,FOLK-MI<T 7= ?AT IS HIS NAME 9 ! K9DR$74  ,& ,I SORR[$ AT HIS DEP>TURE1 = HE HAD BORNE ME ?I!R \T ( ! FLAMES & ! CLA% ( SWORDS & ! PRESS ( BATTLE1 & TO ME HAD HE EV] BE5 K9D & LOV+1 ALBEIT HE HA? HAD ! ,WORDS ( H>D & FR[>D US$ ON HIM FULL (T4  

',SO 9 ?IS ,VALE ABODE WE ?AT W]E LEFT1 & ! SEASONS PASS$2 SOME ( ! ELD]S DI$1 & SOME ( ! *ILDR5 ALSO2 BUT MORE *ILDR5 W]E BORN1 = AMONG US W]E M5 & WOM5 TO :OM IT WAS LAWFUL TO W$ ) EA* O!R4  ,EV5 ) ?IS SCANTY REMNANT WAS LEFT SOME ( ! LIFE ( ! K9DR$ ( OLD DAYS2 & AFT] WE HAD BE5 H]E BUT A LITTLE :ILE1 ! Y\NG M51 YEA & ! OLD ALSO1 & EV5 SOME ( ! WOM51 W\LD /EAL ?R\< PASSES ?AT WE1 & WE ONLY1 KNEW (1 & W\LD FALL UPON ! ,ALI5S 9 ,SILV]-DALE AS OCCASION S]V$1 & LIFT !IR GOODS BO? LIVE & DEAD2 & ?IS BECAME BO? A CRAFT & A PA/IME AMONG US4  ,NOR MAY ,I HIDE ?AT WE SOMETIMES W5T LIFT+ O!R:]E2 = 9 ! SUMM] & AUTUMN WE W\LD F>E WE/ A LITTLE & ABIDE 9 ! WOODS ! SEASON ?R\<1 & HUNT ! DE] !RE(1 & :ILES W\LD WE DRIVE ! SPOIL FROM ! SCATT]$ FOLK NOT F> FROM Y\R ,%EPH]D-,FOLK2 BUT ) ! ,%EPH]DS !MSELVES & ) Y\ ,DALESM5 WE M$DL$ NOT4  

',N[ ?AT LITTLE WOOD-LAWN ) ! T(T ( AN ANCI5T DWELL+ 9 IT1 :]E91 SAI? ,B[-MAY1 ?\ DID/ ONCE RE/1 WAS ONE ( \R SUMM] ABODES2 & LAT] ON WE BUILT ! HALL UND] ! P9E-WOOD ?AT ?\ KN[E/4  

',?US !N GREW UP \R Y\NG M52 & \R MAIDS W]E LITTLE S(T]2 E'5 SU* AS ,B[-MAY IS 7& K9D IS %E )AL71 & IT SEEM$ 9 V]Y SOO? AS IF ! ,SPIRIT ( ! ,WOLF WAS ) US1 & ! R\<NESS ( ! ,WA/E MADE US FI]CE2 & LAW WE HAD NOT & HE$$ NOT1 ?\< LOVE WAS AMONG US4'  

,%E /OPP$ A:ILE & FELL A-MUS+1 & H] FACE S(T5$1 & %E TURN$ TO HIM ) ?AT SWEET HAPPY LOOK UPON IT & SAID3  

',DESOLATE & DRE>Y IS ! ,DALE1 ?\ DEEME/1 FRI5D2 & YET = ME ,I LOVE IT & ITS D>K-GRE5 WAT]1 & IT IS TO ME AS IF ! ,FA!RS ( ! K9DR$ VISIT IT & HOLD CONV]SE ) US2 & !RE ,I GREW UP :5 ,I WAS LITTLE1 BE=E ,I KNEW :AT A WOMAN WAS1 & /RANGE COMMUN+S HAD ,I ) ! WILD]NESS4  ,FRI5D1 :5 WE >E W$D$1 & ?\ >T A GREAT *IEFTA91 AS ?\ WILT BE1 ,I %ALL ASK ( !E ! BOON TO SUFF] ME TO ABIDE H]E AT :ILES ?AT ,I MAY REMEMB] ! DAYS :5 ,I WAS LITTLE & ! LOVE ( ! K9DR$ WAX$ 9 ME4'  

',?IS IS BUT A LITTLE ?+ TO ASK1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD2 ',I W\LD ?\ HAD/ ASK$ ME MORE4'  

',FE> NOT1' %E SAID1 ',I %ALL ASK !E = MU* & MANY ?+S2 & SOME ( !M BELIKE ?\ %ALT D5Y ME4'  

,HE %OOK HIS HEAD2 BUT %E SMIL$ 9 HIS FACE & SAID3  

',YEA1 SO IT IS1 FRI5D2 BUT HE>K54  ,! SEASONS PASS$1 & SIX YE>S WORE1 & ,I WAS GR[N A TALL SLIM MAID51 FLEET ( FOOT & ABLE TO 5DURE TOIL 5\<1 ?\< ,I NEV] BORE WEAPONS1 NOR HAVE DONE4  ,SO ON A FAIR EV5 ( MIDSUMM] :5 WE W]E TOGE!R1 ! MO/ ( US1 R\ND AB\T ?IS ,HALL & ! ,DOOM-R+1 WE SAW A TALL MAN 9 BRI<T W>-GE> COME =? 9TO ! ,DALE BY ! PA? ?AT ?\ CAME/1 & !N ANO!R & ANO!R TILL !RE W]E TWO SCORE & SEV5 M5-AT->MS /&+ ON ! GRASS BEL[ ! SCREE YOND]2 BY ?AT TIME HAD WE GOTT5 SOME WEAPONS 9 \R H&S1 & WE /OOD TOGE!R TO MEET ! NEW-COM]S1 BUT !Y DREW NO SWORD & NOT*$ NO %AFT1 BUT CAME T[>DS US LAU<+ & JOY\S1 & LO6 IT WAS MY BRO!R ,FOLK-MI<T & HIS M51 ?OSE ?AT W]E LEFT ( !M1 COME BACK TO US FROM ! ,WE/L&4  

',GLAD 9DE$ WAS ,I TO BEHOLD HIM2 & = HIM :5 HE HAD TAK5 ME 9 HIS >MS & LOOK$ UP & D[N ! ,DALE1 HE CRI$ \T3  ',9 MANY FAIR PLACES & MANY RI* DWELL+S HAVE ,I BE52 BUT ?IS IS ! H\R ?AT ,I HAVE LOOK$ =4'  

',N[ :5 WE ASK$ HIM CONC]N+ ,/ONE-WOLF & ! O!RS :O W]E MISS+ 7= T5 T5S ( /ALW>? M5 HAD F>$ TO ! ,WE/L&71 HE SWEPT \T HIS H& T[>D ! WE/ & SAID ) A SOLEMN FACE3 0,!RE !Y LIE1 & GRASS GR[E? OV] !IR BONES1 & WE :O HAVE COME ABACK1 & YE :O HAVE ABID$1 !SE >E N[ ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,WOLF3  !RE >E NO MORE N[ ON ! E>?40  

',LET BE6  ,IT WAS A FAIR EV5 & HI< WAS ! FEA/ 9 ! ,HALL ?AT NI<T1 & SWEET WAS ! CONV]SE ) \R FOLK COME BACK4  ,A GLAD MAN WAS MY BRO!R ,FOLK-MI<T :5 HE HE>D ?AT = YE>S PA/ WE HAD BE5 LIFT+ ! GE> ( M51 & *IEFLY ( ! ,ALI5S 9 ,SILV]-DALE3  & HE HIMSELF WAS BECOME LE>N$ 9 W> & A DEFT LEAD] ( M54  

',SO ! DAYS PASS$ & ! SEASONS1 & WE LIV$ ON AS WE MI<T2 BUT ) ,FOLK-MI<T'S RETURN !RE BEGAN TO GR[ UP 9 ALL \R HE>TS :AT HAD LONG BE5 FL\RI%+ 9 M9E1 & ?AT WAS ! HOPE ( ONE DAY W9N+ BACK \R [N AGA91 & DY+ AMID ! DE> GROVES ( ,SILV]-DALE4  ,)9 !SE YE>S WE HAD 9CREAS$ SOME:AT 9 NUMB]2 = IF WE HAD LO/ ?OSE W>RIORS 9 ! ,WE/L&1 & SOME OLD M5 :O HAD DI$ 9 ! ,DALE1 YET \R *ILDR5 HAD GR[N UP 7,I HAVE N[ SE5 TW5TY & ONE SUMM]S7 & MORE W]E GR[+ UP4  ,MOREOV]1 AFT] ! FIR/ YE>1 FROM ! TIME :5 WE BEGAN TO FALL UPON ! ,DUSKY ,M5 ( ,SILV]-DALE1 FROM TIME TO TIME !Y :O W5T ON SU* ADV5TURES SET FREE SU* ?RALLS ( \R BLOOD AS !Y C\LD FALL 9 ) & :OM !Y C\LD TRU/ 91 & !Y DWELT 7& YET DWELL7 ) US 9 ! ,DALE3  FIR/ & LA/ WE HAVE TAK5 9 ?REE SCORE & TWELVE ( SU* M51 & A SCORE ( WOM5-?RALLS )AL4  

',N[ DUR+ !SE SEASONS1 & NOT V]Y LONG AGO1 AFT] ,I WAS A WOMAN GR[N1 ! ?\<T CAME TO ME1 & TO ,FOLK-MI<T ALSO1 ?AT !RE W]E K9DR$S ( ! PEOPLE DWELL+ ANE> US :OM WE MI<T SO DEAL ) ?AT !Y %\LD BECOME \R FRI5DS & BRO!RS 9 >MS1 & ?AT ?R\< !M WE MI<T W9 BACK ,SILV]-DALE4  

',( ,ROSE-DALE WE WOTT$ ALREADY ?AT ! ,FOLK W]E NAU<T ( \R BLOOD1 FEEBLE 9 ! FIELD1 C[$ BY ! ,DUSKY ,M51 & AT LA/ MADE ?RALLS TO !M2 SO NAU<T WAS TO DO !RE4  ,BUT ,FOLK-MI<T W5T TO & FRO TO GA!R TID+S3  AT :ILES ,I ) HIM1 AT :ILES ONE OR MORE ( ,WOOD-FA!R'S *ILDR51 :O ) !IR FA!R & MO!R & ,B[-MAY HAVE ABID$ 9 ! ,VALE EV] S9CE ! ,GREAT ,UNDO+4  

',SOON HE FELL 9 ) ?Y ,FOLK1 & FIR/ ( ALL ) ! ,WOODL&]S1 & ?AT WAS A JOY TO HIM2 = WOT YE :AT8  ,HE GOT TO KN[ ?AT !SE M5 W]E ! *ILDR5 ( ?OSE ( \R ,FOLK :O HAD SUND]$ FROM US 9 ! M\NTA9 PASSES TIME LONG & LONG AGO2 & HE LOV$ !M1 = HE SAW ?AT !Y W]E H>DY & TRU/Y1 & W>RIORS AT HE>T4  

',!N HE W5T AMONG ! ,%EPH]D-,FOLK1 & HE DEEM$ !M GOOD M5 EASILY /IRR$1 & DEEM$ ?AT !Y MI<T SOON BE WON TO FRI5D%IP2 & HE KNEW ?AT !Y W]E MO/LY COME FROM ! ,H\SES ( ! ,WOODL&]S1 SO ?AT !Y ALSO W]E ( ! K9DR$4  

',& LA/ HE CAME 9TO ,BURGDALE1 & F\ND !RE A M]RY & HAPPY ,FOLK1 LITTLE WONT TO W>1 BUT /\!>T$1 & N[ISE PUNY EI!R ( BODY OR S\L2 HE W5T !RE (T5 & LE>N$ MU* AB\T !M1 & DEEM$ ?AT !Y W\LD NOT BE H>D TO W9 TO FELL[%IP4  ,& HE F\ND ?AT ! ,H\SE ( ! ,FACE WAS ! *IEFE/ H\SE !RE2 & ?AT ! ,ALD]MAN & HIS SONS W]E WELL BELOV$ ( ALL ! FOLK1 & ?AT !Y W]E ! M5 TO BE WON FIR/1 S9CE ?R\< !M %\LD ALL O!RS BE WON4  ,I ALSO W5T TO ,BURG/EAD ) HIM TWICE1 AS ,I TOLD !E ]/2 & ,I SAW !E1 & ,I DEEM$ ?AT ?\ W\LDE/ LI<TLY BECOME \R FRI5D2 & IT CAME 9TO MY M9D ?AT ,I MYSELF MI<T W$ !E1 & ?AT ! ,H\SE ( ! ,FACE !REBY MI<T HAVE AFF9ITY !NCE=? ) ! ,*ILDR5 ( ! ,WOLF4'  

,HE SAID3  ',:Y DID/ ?\ DEEM ?US ( ME1 ,O FRI5D8'  

,%E LAU<$ & SAID3  ',DO/ ?\ LONG TO HE> ME SAY ! WORDS :5 ?\ KN[E/ MY ?\<T WELL8  ,SO BE IT4  ,I SAW !E BO? Y\NG & FAIR2 & ,I KNEW !E TO BE ! SON ( A NOBLE1 WOR?Y1 GUILELESS MAN & ( A BEAUTE\S WOMAN ( GREAT WITS & GOOD R$E4  ,& ,I F\ND !E TO BE K9D & OP5H&$ & SIMPLE LIKE ?Y FA!R1 & LIKE ?Y MO!R WIS] ?AN ?\ ?YSELF KNEW ( ?YSELF2 & ?AT ?\ W]T DESIR\S ( DE$S & FA9 ( WOM54'  

,%E WAS SIL5T = A :ILE1 & HE ALSO3  !N HE SAID3  ',DID/ ?\ DRAW ME TO ! WOODS & TO !E8'  

,%E R$D5$ & SAID3  ',I AM NO SPELL-WIFE3  BUT TRUE IT IS ?AT ,WOOD-MO!R MADE A WAX5 IMAGE ( !E1 & ?RU/ ?R\< ! HE>T !RE( ! P9 ( MY GIRDLE-BUCKLE1 & /ROK$ IT EV]Y MORN+ ) AN OAK-B\< OV] :I* %E HAD SUNG SPELLS4  ,BUT DO/ ?\ NOT REMEMB]1 ,GOLD-MANE1 H[ ?AT ONE DAY LA/ ,HAY-MON?1 AS YE W]E RE/+ 9 ! MEAD[S 9 ! COOL ( ! EV5+1 !RE CAME TO Y\ A M9/REL ?AT PLAY$ TO Y\ ON ! FIDDLE1 & !RE) SANG A SONG ?AT MELT$ ALL Y\R HE>TS1 & ?AT ?IS SONG TOLD ( ! ,WILD-WOOD1 & :AT WAS !RE9 ( DESIRE & P]IL & BEGUIL+ & DEA?1 & LOVE UNTO ,DEA? ITSELF8  ,DO/ ?\ REMEMB]1 FRI5D8'  

',YEA1' HE SAID1 '& H[ :5 ! M9/REL WAS DONE ,/ONE-FACE FELL TO TELL+ US MORE TALES YET ( ! WOODL&1 & ! M9/REL SANG AGA9 & YET AGA91 TILL HIS TALES HAD 5T]$ 9TO MY V]Y HE>T4'  

',YEA1' %E SAID1 '& ?AT M9/REL WAS ,WOOD-WONT2 & ,I S5T HIM TO S+ TO !E & ?9E1 DEEM+ ?AT IF ?\ DID/ HE>K51 ?\ W\LD'/ SEEK ! WOODL& & HAPP5 UPON US4'  

,HE LAU<$ & SAID3  ',?\ DID/ NOT D\BT BUT ?AT IF WE MET1 ?\ MI<TE/ DO ) ME AS ?\ W\LDE/8'  

',SO IT IS1' %E SAID1 '?AT ,I D\BT$ IT LITTLE4'  

',!RE9 W]T ?\ WISE1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD2 'BUT N[ ?AT WE >E TALK+ )\T GUILE TO EA* O!R1 MI<TE/ ?\ TELL ME :]E=E IT WAS ?AT ,FOLK-MI<T MADE ?AT ONSLAU<T UPON ME8  ,= C]TA9 IT IS ?AT HE WAS M9D$ TO SLAY ME4'  

,%E SAID3  ',IT WAS SOO? :AT ,I TOLD !E1 ?AT :ILES HE GR[E? SO BATTLE-EAG] ?AT :ATSO $GE-TOOL HE BE>E? MU/ NE$S COME \T ( ! SCABB>D2 BUT !RE WAS MORE 9 IT ?AN ?AT1 :I* ,I C\LD NOT TELL !E ]/4  ,TWO DAYS BE=E ?Y COM+ HE HAD BE5 D[N TO ,BURG/EAD 9 ! GUISE ( AN OLD C>LE SU* AS ?\ SAWE/ HIM ) ME 9 ! M>KET-PLACE4  ,!RE WAS HE GUE/$ 9 Y\R ,HALL1 & ONCE MORE SAW !E & ! ,BRIDE TOGE!R2 & HE SAW ! EYES ( LOVE :]E) %E LOOK$ ON !E 7= SO MU* HE TOLD ME71 & DEEM$ ?AT ?\ DID/ TAKE H] LOVE BUT LI<TLY4  ,& HE HIMSELF LOOK$ ON H] ) SU* LOVE 7& ?IS HE TOLD ME NOT7 ?AT HE DEEM$ NAU<T GOOD 5\< = H]1 & W\LD HAVE HAD !E GIVE ?YSELF UP :OLLY TO H]2 = MY BRO!R IS A G5]\S MAN1 MY FRI5D4  ,SO :5 ,I TOLD HIM ON ! MORN ( ?AT DAY :]EON WE MET ?AT WE LOOK$ TO SEE !E ?AT EVE 7= 9DE$ ,I AM SOME:AT =ESEE+71 HE SAID3  0,LOOK ?\1 ,SUN-BEAM1 IF HE COME?1 IT IS NOT UNLIKE ?AT ,I %ALL DRIVE A SPE> ?R\< HIM40  0,:]E=E80 SAID ,I2 0CAN HE S]VE \R TURN :5 HE IS DEAD80  ,SAID HE3  0,I C>E LITTLE4  ,M9E [N TURN WILL ,I S]VE4  ,?\ SAYE/ ,:,],E,=,E8  ,I TELL !E ?IS /RIPL+ BEGUILE? TO H] TORM5T ! FAIRE/ WOMAN ?AT IS 9 ! WORLD--SU* AN ONE AS IS MEET TO BE ! MO!R ( *IEFTA9S1 & TO /& BY W>RIORS 9 !IR DAY ( P]IL4  ,I HAVE SE5 H]2 & ?US HAVE ,I SE5 H]40 ,!N SAID ,I3  0,GREATLY =SOO? %ALT ?\ PLEASURE H] BY SLAY+ HIM60  ,& HE ANSW]$3  0,I %ALL PLEASURE MYSELF4  ,& ONE DAY %E %ALL ?ANK ME1 :5 %E TAKE? MY H& 9 H]S & WE GO TOGE!R TO ! ,BRIDE-B$40  ,!RE) CAME OV] ME A CLE> =ESI<T ( ! H\RS TO COME1 & ,I SAID TO HIM3  0,YEA1 ,FOLK-MI<T1 CA/ ! SPE> & DRAW ! SWORD2 BUT HIM ?\ %ALT NOT SLAY3  & ?\ %ALT ONE DAY SEE HIM /&+ ) US BE=E ! %AFTS ( ! ,DUSKY ,M540  ,SO ,I SPAKE2 BUT HE LOOK$ FI]CELY AT ME1 & DEP>T$ & %UNN$ ME ALL ?AT DAY1 & BY GOOD HAP ,I WAS H>D AT H& :5 ?\ DREWE/ NI< \R ABODE4  ,NAY1 ,GOLD-MANE1 :AT W\LD'/ ?\ ) ?Y SWORD8 ,:Y >T ?\ SO R$ & WRA?FUL8  ,W\LD'/ ?\ FI<T ) MY BRO!R BECAUSE HE LOVE? ?Y FRI5D1 ?9E OLD PLAYMATE1 ?Y K9SWOMAN1 & ?9KE? PITY ( H] SORR[8'  

,HE SAID1 ) KNIT BR[ & GLEAM+ EYES3  ',W\LD ! MAN TAKE H] AWAY FROM ME P]=CE8'  

',MY FRI5D1' %E SAID1 '?\ >T NOT YET SO WISE AS NOT TO BE A FOOL AT :ILES4  ,IS IT NOT SO ?AT %E H]SELF HA? TAK5 H]SELF FROM !E1 S9CE %E HA? COME TO KN[ ?AT ?\ HA/ GIV5 ?YSELF TO ANO!R8  ,HA? %E NOT$ NAU<T ( !E ?IS W9T] & SPR+8  ,IS %E WELL PLEAS$ ) ! WAYS ( !E8'  

,HE SAID3  ',?\ HA/ SPOK5 SIMPLY ) ME1 & ,I WILL DO NO LESS ) !E4  ,IT WAS BUT F\R DAYS AGONE ?AT %E DID ME TO WIT ?AT %E KNEW ( ME H[ ,I S\<T MY LOVE ON ! ,M\NTA92 & %E PUT ME TO SORE %AME1 & AFT]W>DS ,I WEPT = H] SORR[4'  

,!RE) HE TOLD H] ALL ?AT ! ,BRIDE HAD SAID TO HIM1 AS HE WELL MI<T1 = HE HAD =GOTT5 NO WORD ( IT4  

,!N SAID ! ,FRI5D3  ',%E %ALL HAVE ! TOK5 ?AT %E CRAVE?1 & IT IS ,I ?AT %ALL GIVE IT TO H]4'  

,!RE) %E TOOK FROM H] F+] A R+ :]E9 WAS SET A V]Y FAIR *ANGEFUL M\NTA9-/ONE1 & GAVE IT TO HIM1 & SAID3  

',?\ %ALT GIVE H] ?IS & TELL H] :5CE ?\ HAD/ IT2 & TELL H] ?AT ,I BID H] REMEMB] ?AT ,TO-MORR[ IS A NEW DAY4'  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #ai -- ,ADD$4 

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