“Son, answer,” said Sir Roel.
The Silent answered:
“The sword of the crusade fell from the wall at the maid’s feet. Whom God guides succeeds in everything.”
“Toon,” cried the lady Gonde, “where is Magtelt?”
“The virgin,” he said, “rides without fear, she goes faster than the armed man: whom God leads he leads well.”
The lady Gonde groaned:
“Ah,” she said, “our Magtelt will be killed, even now she is stiff frozen, sweet Jesus! The sword of the crusade is of no avail against Siewert Halewyn.”
The Silent answered:
“He glories in his strength, thinking himself invincible, but when the beast goes with assurance the hunter follows more easily.”
“Wicked son, how couldst thou think to send the little bird to the hawk, the virgin to the enemy of virgins?”