And having read this the mannikin went away once more.
Suddenly the Miserable heard a sad voice saying:
“Wilt thou seek strength and beauty in death, blood, and tears?”
“Yes,” said he.
“Ambitious heart, heart of stone,” answered the voice. Then he heard nothing more.
And he gazed at the sickle with its flaming letters until such time as My Lord Chanticleer called his hens awake.
VIII. What Halewyn did to the little girl cutting faggots.
The Miserable was overjoyed at what had come about, and inquired within himself whether it would be in the heart of a virgin child or of a marriageable virgin that he would find what was promised him, and so satisfy his great desire for worship and power.