Knight Stig's Wedding

Knight Stig was sprung of noble birth,
A finer man was not on earth.

Knight Stig at court an office bare,
And maids and ladies brush'd his hair.

He stood to serve the royal board,
But Kirstin deign'd him not a word.

"I'll try tonight a Runic spell,
"Tis now seven years I've learnt it well."

With right hand mead and wine he drew,
With left hand potent Love Runes threw.

But what he had to Kirstin thrown
Roll'd on beneath Rigissa's gown.

Knight Stig as pale as ashes stood,
Rigissa blush'd as red as blood.

Knight Stig in mantle wrapp'd his head.
And up to his nurse's chamber sped.

"O nurse, dear nurse, your counsel give,
"How to escape the court, and live.

"I would on Kirstin cast a spell,
"But it beneath Rigissa fell.

"I'll saddle me my trusty gray,
"And up, and gallop far away."

"And ride thou mayst round Funen's land,
"At night the maid will near thee stand.

"Around the world thou mayst have sped,
"At night thou 'It find her near thy bed.

"Thy wofated cheer I rede thee keep,
"Go home to bed, and go to sleep.

"The maid will come, and tirl the pin,
"But rise not up, nor let her in.

"Perhaps her tiny hands avail
"From chamber door to' pick the nail.

"Up to thy bedstead she will creep,
"But hush, and feign thee fast asleep.

"She then will tap thy chin so fair,
"And gently smooth thy golden hair;

"And then she'll kiss thy lips so red,
"But lie as still, as wert thou dead."

He heard and thought her counsel best.
And went and laid him down to rest.

As soon as fell the evening dew,
Rigissa took her mantle blue;

She tapp'd his door with gentle knock;
"Rise up, sweet knight, your door unlock."

Appointment I have none to keep,
"Unlock to no one, while I sleep."

With fingers small the nails she drew.
Aye fifteen nails, beside a screw!

She sat her down, that maid so fair,
And fondled with his yellow hair;

She kiss'd his cheek and lips so red,
Bat still he lay as he were dead.

She claps'd him to her snowy breast.
But still the knight his voice repressed.

He woke at last and round him gazed;
"Now who has all this turmoil rais'd?

"I'll in your brother's court disclose,
"That you it is break my repose."

"Go then, and make what plaint you will,
"I'll follow you and love you still."

To court as soon as broke the day, —
To make his plaint he took his way.

"My liege, I've here a charge to make,
"Your sister comes my rest to break."

The King to his page was heard to call;
"My sister bid to the audience hall."

Rigissa stood before the board;
"Why has my brother sent me word?"

"This knight stands here a charge to make,
"That thou hast come his rest to break."

"The truth it is. — To him I went,
"And coldly welcome back was sent.

"I'll bear in hand the glowing steel,
"And prove him pure by God's ordeal."

The King the matter turn'd in mind;
"A better match she could not find."

And soon the court was glad and gay;
The King his sister gave away.

Great too the joy throughout the land,
That Stig it was had gain'd her hand.

Stig bade them brew and mix the wine,
And ask'd the king himself to dine.

The king he ask'd with knight and swain.
And eke the queen and all her train.

Said the good queen, as there she rode,
"So be on virtue rank bestow'd.

"Last year must Stig as trooper ride,
"And now the Princess is his bride.

"Last year he serv'd in stallboy's stead,
"Now shares the king's own sister's bed.

"But said the Queen, and check'd the rein,
"Can this indeed be Stig's demesne?"

"Stig's house it is," a page-boy cried,
"And famed for beauty far and wide.

"I aside with ruddy gold 'tis dight,
"And outside all with silver bright/'

As up to the house they ride in state,
Stand five white bears ' before the gate.

As through the court they take their way,
Both stag and doe about them play;

And round a pond is grouped a herd,
With many a curious beast and bird:

Where lind and poplar throw their shade,
The graceful hart and hind are laid;

And skipping through the pleasant grove,
Whatever beasts in forest rove.

The dames, she meets in banquet hall,
Are courtly highbred ladies all:

Inlaid with amber glows the floor,
The cieling gilt with lettered lore:

With golden plate the board is full,
The cloth of finest moor-grass wool:

The walls are built of marbles rare.
And ivory posts the cieling bear.

As o'er the floor the dancers sped,
The graceful knight the revellers led.

Graceful he tripp'd before the band,
Two silver cups in either hand.

He then to his bride a goblet drain'd,
That aye was best, that God ordain'd." isn

While to his dearest bride he drank,
Bloomed wood and field and flowery bank;

With leaves and blossoms every tree;
The paragon of maids was she.

So soon as fell the evening dew,
"He and his bride to bed withdrew;

And great is now Sir Stig's delight,
With royal bride to pass the night;

And she no further trouble knows,
But may with knight Sir Stig repose.