# XIII: Of Ursula and the Bear explained — The Well at the World’s End

> Chapter companion for The Well at the World’s End by William Morris.

## What happens

On a sunny spring morning, Ralph sits alone while Ursula goes to bathe in the river. After fashioning a spear, he sees her sword hanging and grows fearful. He rushes to the river and finds Ursula, naked, being chased by a huge bear. She turns to fight with a small axe, but the bear knocks it away. Ralph arrives, stabs the bear with his spear, then finishes it with his sword. After the kill, they embrace passionately. Later, they discuss their love and the possibility of marriage. Ursula wishes to wait for the messengers of the Innocent Folk to witness their wedding, but agrees to Ralph's caresses in the meantime. Ralph asks why she realized her former betrothed was worthless; she answers it was the sight of him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Ralph and Ursula's passionate embrace after the bear attack and their discussion of marriage and physical intimacy highlight the central theme of romantic love and desire.

### Nature and the Supernatural

The wilderness setting, the bear as a natural threat, and the mention of the Innocent Folk's messengers blend natural dangers with supernatural elements.

### Sacrifice and Loss

Ursula's near-death experience and Ralph's fear of losing her underscore the theme of potential loss and the sacrifice of safety in the wild.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

Sits alone fashioning a spear, then rescues Ursula from a bear, killing it. He passionately embraces her and proposes they marry that night, but agrees to wait for the Innocent Folk's messengers.

### Ursula

Goes to bathe in the river, is chased by a bear, fights back with an axe, and is rescued by Ralph. She expresses her love and wishes to wait for witnesses before marrying, but consents to caresses.

## Key lines

> Fear came into his heart therewith, so he arose and strode down over the meadow hastily bearing his new spear, and girt with his sword.

Ralph suddenly felt afraid, so he stood up and quickly walked across the meadow, carrying his new spear and wearing his sword.

_Ralph's fear for Ursula's safety prompts him to act._

> She laid herself down on the grass with a sigh, yet it was as of one who sighs for pleasure and rest, and said, as he sat down beside her: 'I am fain to rest my limbs and my body, but my heart is at rest; so ask on, dear friend.'

She lay down on the grass with a sigh of contentment and said she was happy to rest her body, but her heart was already at peace, so he could ask his question.

_Ursula expresses physical exhaustion but emotional calm after the ordeal._

> And one thing I will pray of thee, that because of them thou wilt not forbear, or cause me to forbear, such kissing and caressing as is meet betwixt troth-plight lovers.

I ask one thing: don't let the messengers make you hold back, or make me hold back, from the kisses and caresses that are proper for engaged lovers.

_Ralph requests that their physical affection continue despite waiting for witnesses._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters