Then, 'midst the shouts of the cowherd boys and companions, He lifted His face to the skies, which opened wide to His smiling eye. CHAPTER XII. In the morn of summer, early, even before the sun yet bathed the world with its golden warmth, the companions of Krishna, aroused from their slumber by the lowing of the cows, would gather about the house of Nanda and wait for Krishna to come from His bed and go with them to the forest to tend the cows and while away the sweet hours of long summer days with sporting and tales and long rambles together. And oft, as they waited about the gates of the palace, Yasodā would speak to the waiting boys: "Ye children! my Krishna has not yet opened His eyes to the light of the day; His sleep is sound, nor will I wake Him, till of His own will He comes from His bed; so go with the cows and leave Him to me." But the boys would not stir, but would still wait His coming. But the joy left their eyes, because of their longing to look at the Boy who was Love. And loud were the cries that came from the boys as they saw Him approaching and then come in their midst, and He with the boys as a boy would be. And oft Yasodā, the mother, who reared Him, would take Him aside and remonstrate with Him thus: "O my Krishna, my son, why wilt Thou thus spend Thy time with the cows and the cowherds? A Son of the King art Thou, O my boy, and Thy place is not there with the cows in the pastures. Many servants have we to see to the herds. Come, take Thou Thy flute, bedeck thyself with garments and ornaments as it doth behoove my son and a prince." Then Krishna, twining His arms round the neck of His mother, with a world of glowing love in His visage, would gaze far away into the heart of His people and reply to her who knew Him as son: "O mother beloved! Well it is for Me, a son of a king, with the people to be; though of the palace, yet is My place there where the people call unto Me. Tender am I of the Flock, O My mother, and to them I must go, with them must I be to teach them Myself and the Power of Love. "Even now must I go to the calling hearts, who madly seek Me and will not be satisfied till again Me they see." And Yasodā, the Mother, in amazement gazed on the face of her son and understood not His prattle that such wisdom held, but the tears of fond pride rose to her eyes, as she saw the love that came from the boy and enveloped Him as a soft cloud of light. And she kissed her son, seeing but in Him a merry little child bounding and throbbing with victorious health. Onward He ran to greet His companions, who were satisfied now as they beheld His coming, and laughing the group went to the forest. They played, burying their bare feet in the mosses, rolling in the sweet grass, clapping their hands in the fulness of joy, and shouting in very ecstasy of being. Never saw they in Him the son of a King. They knew Him but as a cowherd boy who, like them, tended the cows in pastures and forests. CHAPTER XIII.