Троє в човні крім собаки
Chapter 10
Onlythosewhohavewornthecrownofsufferingcanlookuponthatwondrouslight;andthey,whentheyreturn,maynotspeakofit,ortellthemysterytheyknow.
Onceuponatime,throughastrangecountry,thererodesomegoodlyknights,andtheirpathlaybyadeepwood,wheretangledbriarsgrewverythickandstrong,andtorethefleshofthemthatlosttheirwaytherein. Andtheleavesofthetreesthatgrewinthewoodwereverydarkandthick,sothatnorayoflightcamethroughthebranchestolightenthegloomandsadness.
And,astheypassedbythatdarkwood,oneknightofthosethatrode,missinghiscomrades,wanderedfaraway,andreturnedtothemnomore;andthey,sorelygrieving,rodeonwithouthim,mourninghimasonedead.
Now,whentheyreachedthefaircastletowardswhichtheyhadbeenjourneying,theystayedtheremanydays,andmademerry; andonenight,astheysatincheerfuleasearoundthelogsthatburnedinthegreathall,anddrankalovingmeasure,therecamethecomradetheyhadlost,andgreetedthem. Hisclotheswereragged,likeabeggar’s,andmanysadwoundswereonhissweetflesh,butuponhisfacethereshoneagreatradianceofdeepjoy.
Andtheyquestionedhim,askinghimwhathadbefallenhim: andhetoldthemhowinthedarkwoodhehadlosthisway,andhadwanderedmanydaysandnights,till,tornandbleeding,hehadlainhimdowntodie.