[The Well at the World's End by William Morris]@TWC D-Link bookThe Well at the World's End CHAPTER 5 2/10
Ye shall scarce get lodging outside our house.
But what then? Come thou thither straightway and have harbour of the best, and see our prior, who loveth young and brisk men-at-arms like to thee.
Lo now! the throng openeth a little; I will walk by thy bridle and lead thee the shortest road thither." Ralph gainsaid him not, and they bored through the throng of the street till they came into the market-square, which was very great and clean, paved with stones all over: tall and fair houses rose up on three sides of it, and on the fourth was the Great Church which made those houses seem but low: most of it was new-built; for the lord Abbot that then was, though he had not begun it, had taken the work up from his forerunner and had pushed it forward all he might; for he was very rich, and an open-handed man.
Like dark gold it showed under the evening sun, and the painted and gilded imagery shone like jewels upon it. "Yea," said the monk, as he noted Ralph's wonder at this wonder; "a most goodly house it is, and happy shall they be that dwell there." Therewith he led Ralph on, turning aside through the great square. Ralph saw that there were many folk therein, though it was too big to be thronged thick with them.
Amidst of it was now a great pile of wood hung about with flowers, and hard by it a stage built up with hangings of rich cloth on one side thereof.
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