And earnestly were watching the many knights from far, to see their bearing.

[339]

When now the elder Hilda sat by her daughter fair,

Each one of her lovely maidens demeaned herself with care;

So that all who saw her high in breeding thought her,

And nothing else could say of her, but that she was indeed a king’s fair daughter.

[340]

Now bade they that old Wâ-te should to the maids be brought;

Though he was gray and aged, none the less they thought,

To guard against his wooing, they must as children meet him.