The Well at the World’s End · Chapter
VIII: The Lady Maketh an End of Her Tale explained
The Lady of Abundance concludes her tale, recounting how she and her companion sought and drank from the Well at the World's End, renewing their youth.
What happens
The Lady of Abundance concludes her tale, recounting how she and her companion sought and drank from the Well at the World's End, renewing their youth. She describes her parting from the Teacher, and the arrival of old Geoffrey and his sons, who had long sought her. She reveals her identity to Geoffrey, and later returns to the Land of Abundance, where she dwells in the castle, though the people regard her with fear. She confesses her love for Ralph and her fear that it may not be requited.
Themes in this chapter
Quest and Adventure
The Lady recounts her quest to the Well at the World's End, a perilous journey that renewed her youth.
Love and Desire
The Lady confesses her love for Ralph, and her fear that it may not be fully returned.
Sacrifice and Loss
The Lady's companion from the quest aged while she remained young; Geoffrey and his companions spent decades searching for her.
Characters to notice
- The Lady of Abundance
Finishes her tale, recounting her quest to the Well at the World's End, her parting from the Teacher, and her return to the Land of Abundance.
- Ralph of Upmeads
Listens to the Lady's tale and is addressed by her as 'beloved'.
- Geoffrey the Minstrel
Appears as the old man who sought the Lady for fifty years; he recognizes her and rejoices.
Key passages
“Well, my friend, after we had lived thus a long time, we set out one day to seek to the Well at the World's End, each of us signed and marked out for the quest by bearing suchlike beads as thou and I both bear upon our necks today.”
After a long time, we began our journey to the Well at the World's End, each marked for the quest by beads like the ones you and I wear.
The Lady explains the shared symbol of the quest.
“But now this long while fear was dead in me, so I thought I would tell the very sooth”
I had lost all fear long ago, so I decided to tell the truth.
The Lady's courage in revealing her identity to Geoffrey.
“and, oh! my fear, that it will weigh too light with thee, to win me pardon of thee for all that thou must needs pardon me, ere thou canst give me all thy love, that I long for so sorely.”
I fear that my love may not be enough to earn your forgiveness for all you must forgive, before you can give me the love I desperately desire.
The Lady expresses her anxiety about Ralph's acceptance of her past.