The Lady Telleth Ralph of the Past Days of Her Life "Now shalt thou hear of me somewhat more than the arras and the book could tell thee; and yet not all, for time would fail us therefor--and moreover my heart would fail me.

I cannot tell where I was born nor of what lineage, nor of who were my father and mother; for this I have known not of myself, nor has any told me.

But when I first remember anything, I was playing about a garden, wherein was a little house built of timber and thatched with reed, and the great trees of the forest were all about the garden save for a little croft which was grown over with high grass and another somewhat bigger, wherein were goats.

There was a woman at the door of the house and she spinning, yet clad in glittering raiment, and with jewels on her neck and fingers; this was the first thing that I remember, but all as it were a matter of every day, and use and wont, as it goes with the memories of children.

Of such matters I will not tell thee at large, for thou knowest how it will be.