So Ralph rode down the slopes and was brisk about it, for it was drawing toward sunset, and he knew not at what hour they shut their gates.  The road was steep and winding, and it was the more part of an hour ere he came to the gate, which was open, and like to be yet, for many folk were thronging in, which throng also had hindered him soon after he came into the plain country.  The gate was fair and strong, but Ralph saw no men-at-arms about it that evening.  He rode into the street unquestioned, and therein was the throng great of people clad in fair and gay attire; and presently Ralph called to mind that this was St. John’s Eve, so that he knew that there was some feast toward.

At last the throng was so thick that he was stayed by it; and therewithal a religious who was beside him and thrust up against his horse, turned to him and gave him good even, and said:  “By thy weapons and gear thou art a stranger here in our burg, Sir Knight?”

“So it is,” said Ralph.

“And whither away?” said the monk; “hast thou some kinsman or friend in the town?”

“Nay,” said Ralph, “I seek a good hostelry where I may abide the night for my money.”

The monk shook his head and said:  “See ye the folk?  It is holiday time, and midsummer after haysel.  Ye shall scarce get lodging outside our house.  But what then?  Come thou thither straightway and have harbour of the best, and see our prior, who loveth young and brisk men-at-arms like to thee.  Lo now! the throng openeth a little; I will walk by thy bridle and lead thee the shortest road thither.”

Ralph gainsaid him not, and they bored through the throng of the street till they came into the market-square, which was very great and clean, paved with stones all over:  tall and fair houses rose up on three sides of it, and on the fourth was the Great Church which made those houses seem but low:  most of it was new-built; for the lord Abbot that then was, though he had not begun it, had taken the work up from his forerunner and had pushed it forward all he might; for he was very rich, and an open-handed man.  Like dark gold it showed under the evening sun, and the painted and gilded imagery shone like jewels upon it.

“Yea,” said the monk, as he noted Ralph’s wonder at this wonder; “a most goodly house it is, and happy shall they be that dwell there.”

Therewith he led Ralph on, turning aside through the great square.  Ralph saw that there were many folk therein, though it was too big to be thronged thick with them.  Amidst of it was now a great pile of wood hung about with flowers, and hard by it a stage built up with hangings of rich cloth on one side thereof.  He asked the monk what this might mean, and he told him the wood was for the Midsummer bale-fire, and the stage for the show that should come thereafter.  So the brother led Ralph down a lane to the south of the great west door, and along the side of the minster and so came to the Abbey gate,