The Murdered Wife

Christine to Sir Peter bent her low,
"Oh say, may I home to my father's go?"

"To go to thy father's thou art free,
"But what is thy grievance to tell of me?"

"I've naught to my father of thee to tell,
"But that thou art handsome and bred so well."

Christine has the open highway ta'en.
Sir Peter a nearer narrow lane.

As home she was riding up the street,
Came out her father his child to meet.

"Now tell me, Christine, true answer give,
"How dost thou at home with thy husband live?"

"Tis well that my lord and I agree, —
"But better his leman he treats than me.

"For when with his leman he goes to meat,
"Alone with my servants I mast eat.

"While they are at wine and dainty cheer,
"Must I with my servants drink of beer.

"While they together in bed are laid,
"Must I go sleep with my serving maid.

"By day I must work the quern-stone round,
"By night my neck is with iron bound."

"O cease, my daughter, thy tale of woe,
"And both thy brothers with thee shall go."

"And follow me home, who follow will,
"My death is but all too certain still.

"Aye let them follow, and all who can,
"My life is the prize of a ruthless man."

As back she came to her home once more,
There stood Sir Peter before his door.

"Now tell me, Christine, and nought withhold
"What grievance hast thou to thy father told?"

"Naught else to my father had I to tell,
"But that thou art handsome and bred so well."

A pace or two backward Sir Peter stepp'd,
And off with a blow her head he swept.

Her two bold brothers rode up the street,
"Why comes not our sister her guests to meet?"

"Christine she sits in her room of stone,
"And drinks her mead and her wine alone."

They searched each crevice and comer round,
And cut in pieces Christine they found.

Sir Peter a little aside they drew,
And chopped at a blow his neck in two.

They clad their sister in ermine fine,
But tossed Sir Peter to dogs and swine.

Straight soaring from heaven two doves were seen,
And back to heaven they took Christine.

Twas two came down, and home flew three,
The fairest of all of them was she.

There came two ravens from out of hell.
And took Sir Peter with them to dwell.

"Twas two flew up, and back flew three,
The foulest of all of them was he.