But sore were the queen's folk troubled that the heroes had chanced that way, And they spake, 'God forbid that our queen's son fall in with these knights to-day! An he chances to light upon them in the pride of their warlike gear, 225 It will anger full sore our mistress if by hap she the tale should hear: And ill-luck will it bring upon us that, ere ever the dawn of day, With us while his mother slumbered, to the woods he stole away!' Little recked the boy of their trouble as he chased the flying deer, And shouted in youthful gladness, as they fell before his spear 230 Then homeward he sped to his mother, but ere he his tale might tell She was smitten with deadly terror, and low at his feet she fell. Then soon as Queen Herzeleide found hearing and speech once more Her boy was she fain to question tho' her heart it misgave her sore; 'Who spake to thee, son, of knighthood? What knowest thou of such-like rede?' 235 'I met in the woods, sweet mother, four men I deemed gods indeed, So light were they all and shining, God Himself ne'er could brighter be, And of knighthood they spake and King Arthur, who might well make a knight of me!' Then her sorrow of old-time wakened, and the queen in her heart she sought For some cunning wile of woman, that her boy from his will be brought. 240 When the simple lad and gallant would crave from her hand a steed, Tho' heavy her heart, she bethought her in naught to gainsay his need, 'Yet not as he asks will I give him, no mother's gifts be mine, But ever the worst and the meanest that my skill may aye divine.' And she thought her, Queen Herzeleide, 'Many folk thro' the world shall fare 245 Who love mocking--On his fair body my son shall a Fool's dress wear, Then sure when the mockers see him, and to scoff at his garb are fain, An he at their hands be smitten, then he cometh to me again!' Alas! for a woman's cunning, and the cruelty of mother's love, She chose from her stores a sackcloth, the coarsest that might be wove, 250 And a garment of this she made him that should reach e'en unto his knee; For his sunny hair such covering as on fools men are wont to see; And instead of hose she bound him on his limbs so strong and fair Leggings of undressed calf-skin--And all wept who beheld him there.