صفحة 308 من 626

He went to the tower in which his mother was confined, and as it

was so high, he wished for a ladder which would reach up to the

very top. Then he mounted up and looked inside, and cried:

'Beloved mother, Lady Queen, are you still alive, or are you

dead?' She answered: 'I have just eaten, and am still satisfied,'

for she thought the angels were there. Said he: 'I am your dear

son, whom the wild beasts were said to have torn from your arms;

but I am alive still, and will soon set you free.' Then he

descended again, and went to his father, and caused himself to be

announced as a strange huntsman, and asked if he could offer him

service. The king said yes, if he was skilful and could get game

for him, he should come to him, but that deer had never taken up

their quarters in any part of the district or country. Then the

huntsman promised to procure as much game for him as he could

possibly use at the royal table.