Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/304

 wayfarers; and then one drank to one thing, one to another, and men waxed merry and gleeful. But at last rose up Stephen the Eater and spake: Meat and drink and lodging is free without price to every comer to Wethermel, and most oft, as here it is, our good will goes with it; yet meseemeth that since these friends of ours come belike from the outlands and countries where is more tidings than mostly befalleth here, it might please them to make us their debtors by saying us some lay, or telling us some tale; for we be not bustled to drink the voidee-cup now, these nights of Midsummer, when night and day hold each other's hands throughout all the twenty-four hours.

Then rose up the tall, high-voiced man and said: It is my will that each one of we three should say something, be it long or short, to make the folk of Wethermel glad, for they have treated us wayfarers as though we were lords and kings, and their words go to our hearts. Now I will that thou, mother, begin, and that I make an end of this saying.

Then he sat down, and the carline said: I am all the more willing to this, as meseemeth I can tell you a tale such as ye have never heard the like of, and which will move every heart of you. And yet I must pray your patience, as belike it may be somewhat long for a tale of one night's hall-glee; and on this night must the tale be begun and ended. Hearken then!

There was an old woman, yet no cripple, who