As for me, I am no servant, nor has any one misused me: the folk round about are good and neighbourly; and this house and the croft, and a vineyard hard by, all that is mine own and my brother's; that is the lad who hath gone to tend thine horse.
Yea, and we live in peace here for the most part; for this thorp, which is called Bourton Abbas, is a land of the Abbey of Higham; though it be the outermost of its lands and the Abbot is a good lord and a defence against tyrants.

All is well with me if one thing were not." "What is thy need then ?" said Ralph, "if perchance I might amend it." And as he looked on her he deemed her yet fairer than he had done at first.

But she stayed her weeping and sobbing and said: "Sir, I fear me that I have lost a dear friend." "How then," said he, "why fearest thou, and knowest not?
doth thy friend lie sick between life and death ?" "O Sir," she said, "it is the Wood which is the evil and disease." "What wood is that ?" said he.
She said: "The Wood Perilous, that lieth betwixt us and the Burg of the Four Friths, and all about the Burg.

And, Sir, if ye be minded to ride to the Burg to-day, do it not, for through the wood must thou wend thereto; and ye are young and lovely.

Therefore take my rede, and abide till the Chapmen wend thither from Higham, who ride many in company.