Now 'tis cast the die of the venture, and here doth my tale begin, For now is he born who henceforward this song for his own shall win. And now have ye heard the story of his father, his love and grief, 845 Of his gallant life, and the treason that ended its span so brief; And ye know whence he came, the hero of this tale, and how for long He was hidden from deeds of knighthood, till his youth it waxed bold and strong. When the queen found sight and hearing she was fain on her child to look, And her maidens they bare him to her and the babe in her arms she took; 850 And she saw his limbs soft rounded, and she knew she had born a son, And her maidens with her were joyful that the earth had a man-child won. (As he bare of a man the body, so manly was he of heart, As a smith did he wield the sword-blade till fire from the helm would start) And no joy did she know, the mother, save ever her babe to kiss, 855 And with soft words she spake to him ever, '_Bon fils, Cher fils, Beau fils._' And e'en as herself she bare him, so herself she his nurse would be, At his mother's breast was he nourished who was ever from falsehood free. And she thought she had won her husband by her prayers to her arms again, She all folly forsook, and meekness and truth in her heart did reign. 860 And musing spake Herzeleide, 'The queen of Heaven high Gave her breast to the dear Lord Jesu Who a bitter death would die As Man on the cross for man's sake, for thus did His love begin: Who thinketh light of His anger his soul's peace shall hardly win, Tho' he else were brave man and worthy--and this tale do I know for true!' 865 Then the queen of the land she bathed her in heart sorrow's bitter dew, And her eyes on the babe rained tear-drops as soft in her arms it lay, For hers was the way of women, where a true heart holdeth sway; She could laugh and weep together, her heart joyed for her baby's birth, Yet the ford of her bitter sorrow had drowned in short space her mirth. 870 BOOK III GURNEMANZ ARGUMENT In the Introduction the poet speaks of the honour in which he holds all true women, though he be wroth with one who has wronged him. Yet, though women shall count him their friend, he would fain that they should honour him for his knightly deeds, rather than for this his song.