Then full sore were her people grievèd, for they held it an evil thing, 75 And a training that ill beseemèd the son of a mighty king. But his mother kept him hidden in the woodland valleys wild, Nor thought in her love and sorrow how she wronged the kingly child: No knightly weapon she gave him, save such as in childish play He wrought himself from the bushes that grew on his lonely way, 80 A bow and arrows he made him, and with these, in thoughtless glee, He shot at the birds as they carolled o'erhead in the leafy tree. But when the feathered songster of the woods at his feet lay dead, In wonder and dumb amazement he bowed down his golden head, And in childish wrath and sorrow tore the locks of his sunny hair; 85 (For I wot well of all earth's children was never a child so fair As this boy, who afar in the desert from the haunts of mankind did dwell, Who bathed in the mountain streamlet, and roamed o'er the rock-strewn fell!) Then he thought him well how the music, which his hand had for ever stilled, Had thrilled his soul with its sweetness, and his heart was with sorrow filled, 90 And the ready tears of childhood flowed forth from their fountains free As he ran to his mother weeping, and bowed him beside her knee. 'What aileth thee child?' quoth the mother, 'but now wast thou gay and glad'-- But, childlike, he gave no answer, scarce wist he what made him sad! But Queen Herzeleide watched him through the sunny summer days, 95 Till beneath a tree she saw him stand silent, with upturned gaze, And a look of joyful rapture in the radiant childish eyes, As he listed the bird, that, soaring, sang clear thro' the cloudless skies; And the mother's heart was troubled, and her wrath waxed to fever heat, She would brook in his love no rival--not even God's singers sweet! 100 So she sent forth in haste her servants, with many a cunning snare To capture the singers whose music made joyful the woodlands fair. Then, alas! for the birds, who struggled in the cruel snare in vain, Yet some few burst their bonds, and joyful, brake forth into song again!