# XXVII: Clement Tells of Goldburg explained — The Well at the World’s End

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

## What happens

Ralph, Bull, and Clement search for lost companions but find no trace. They ride on, and Clement describes the fair city of Goldburg, built by a lord who sought the Well at the World's End. Clement also explains the social troubles of Goldburg, where many are poor and oppressed despite the city's beauty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Hierarchy and Freedom

Clement describes the poor in Goldburg as 'slaves without a price,' highlighting the injustice of a society where laborers are exploited despite not being formal thralls.

### Quest and Adventure

The lord who built Goldburg sought the Well at the World's End, linking the city's origin to the overarching quest for the Well.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph of Upmeads

Rises early, searches for lost companions, and rides with Clement, learning about Goldburg.

### Clement Chapman

Tells Ralph about Goldburg's history, its builder, and the plight of its poor.

### Bull Shockhead

Rises early with Ralph and Clement to search for lost companions.

## Key lines

> For in sooth he deemed that he should find the Well at the World’s End, and drink thereof, and live long and young and fair past all record; therefore had he builded this city, to be the house and home of his long-enduring joyance.

He truly believed he would find the Well at the World's End and drink from it, becoming immortal and beautiful, so he built this city as a home for his eternal happiness.

_Clement explains the founder's motivation for building Goldburg._

> they toiled and swinked and died with none heeding them, save they that had the work of their hands good cheap; and they forsooth heeded them less than their draught beasts whom they must needs buy with money, and whose bellies they must needs fill; whereas these poor wretches were slaves without a price, and if one died another took his place on the chance that thereby he might escape present death by hunger, for there was a great many of them.

They labored and died unnoticed except by those who profited from their cheap work; these exploiters cared less for them than for their draft animals, which cost money and needed feeding, while the poor were worthless slaves easily replaced by others desperate to avoid starvation.

_Clement describes the harsh conditions of the poor in Goldburg._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxvii-clement-tells-of-goldburg
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters