Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Onlythosewhohavewornthecrownofsufferingcanlookuponthatwondrouslight;andthey,whentheyreturn,maynotspeakofit,ortellthemysterytheyknow. 

           Onceuponatime,throughastrangecountry,thererodesomegoodlyknights,andtheirpathlaybyadeepwood,wheretangledbriarsgrewverythickandstrong,andtorethefleshofthemthatlosttheirwaytherein. Andtheleavesofthetreesthatgrewinthewoodwereverydarkandthick,sothatnorayoflightcamethroughthebranchestolightenthegloomandsadness. 

           And,astheypassedbythatdarkwood,oneknightofthosethatrode,missinghiscomrades,wanderedfaraway,andreturnedtothemnomore;andthey,sorelygrieving,rodeonwithouthim,mourninghimasonedead. 

           Now,whentheyreachedthefaircastletowardswhichtheyhadbeenjourneying,theystayedtheremanydays,andmademerry; andonenight,astheysatincheerfuleasearoundthelogsthatburnedinthegreathall,anddrankalovingmeasure,therecamethecomradetheyhadlost,andgreetedthem. Hisclotheswereragged,likeabeggar’s,andmanysadwoundswereonhissweetflesh,butuponhisfacethereshoneagreatradianceofdeepjoy. 

           Andtheyquestionedhim,askinghimwhathadbefallenhim: andhetoldthemhowinthedarkwoodhehadlosthisway,andhadwanderedmanydaysandnights,till,tornandbleeding,hehadlainhimdowntodie.