# XVIII: Ralph Departeth from Whitwall with the Fellowship of Clement Chapman explained — The Well at the World’s End

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

## What happens

Ralph bids farewell to his brother Blaise in Whitwall, receives gifts and a purse of gold, and joins Clement Chapman's company of chapmen and men-at-arms for the journey. He parts sorrowfully from Richard the Red, his Upmeads squire, and rides out with the fellowship, feeling the bittersweet pull of home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Wandering

Ralph feels the bittersweet pull of Upmeads as he departs, torn between the call of adventure and the love of home.

### Quest and Adventure

Ralph joins Clement's fellowship for a journey into unknown perils, leaving behind the safety of Whitwall.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

Departs from Whitwall with Clement's fellowship, feeling sorrow and longing for Upmeads.

### Blaise

Shows Ralph his house, gives him a purse of gold and an anlace, and bids him farewell with emotion.

### Clement Chapman

Leads the company, armed and ready, joking about the perils of the road.

### Richard the Red

Bids farewell to Ralph at the gates, sad at heart for the sundering.

## Key lines

> But Blaise brought them to the upper chamber, and showed them the goodly beds with their cloths, and hangings, and all was as fair as might be.

Blaise led them upstairs to see the finely furnished bedrooms with rich fabrics and decorations.

_Highlights Blaise's wealth and hospitality._

> And as he spake the thought of the House and the garden, and the pleasant fields of Upmeads came into his heart so bittersweet, that it mingled with his sorrow, and well-nigh made him weep.

As he spoke, memories of his home and its beautiful fields filled him with a mix of sweetness and sadness, almost bringing him to tears.

_Captures Ralph's emotional conflict between duty and nostalgia._

## Links

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