Ribolt and Guldborg (A)

Ribolt, an heir of noble name.
For Guldborg glow'd with secret flame.

His court to the infant child he paid.
And more he loved the full grown maid.

"Thy troth to me, dear Guldborg, give,
"And come to a fairer land to live.

"Away to a blessed land we'll go,
"Where you shall never taste of woe;

"We'll off to a distant island fly,
"Where you shall live, and never die."

'You take me not to a land so fair,
"But I shall sorrow find and care;,

"Nor to an isle with me could fly,
"But where to God it's due to die/'

"Sweet leeks for grass each season brings,
"And all the year the cuckoo sings.

"For water run the brooks with wine,
"O trust me, Guldborg, and be mine."

"But how with you get through the gate,
"So closely watch me small and great?

"My parents watch me night and day,
"Brothers and sisters every way;

"And then my bridegroom always near,
The very one I chiefly fear."

"Tho' watch your kinsmen young and old,
"Your plighted word you still must hold.

"Put on my polish coat of mail,
"My helmet d'on in place of veil:

"Gird to your side my trusty blade,
"And none will know you then for maid.

"With golden spurs strapp'd on your feet
"Shy not or kith ")r kin to meet/'

In mantle blue he robed his bride,
And set her on his horse to ride.

They journey'd forth, till on the wold
They met a certain Baron bold.

"But say, Ribolt, dear comrade mine,
"Where bast thou found a page so fine?"

"My youngest brother he; — he is come
"On his first ride with me from home."

"Thou canst not hide the truth from me;
"Nay, Guldborg, nay, His thou I see.

"For tho' thy dress a man bespeak,
"I know too well thy rosy cheek;

"I know thy fair soft hair withal;
"I serv'd once in thy father's hall.

"And thu I know not shoe nor cloth,
"I know to whom thou 'st plighted troth."

A brooch of gold from off her waist
Upon the Baron's hand she placed:

"Now wheresoe'er you come today,
"Of me, dear Baron, nothing say."

To Kiillo house the Baron rode,
Where knights were met and goblets flowed.

In Truid's house he found thom all,
And Truel in his banquet hall.

"Sir Truid, what, man, here carouse?
"Ribolt is bearing off thy spouse."

Sir Truid bade to sound alarm,
"Up, gallant troopers, up and arm!"

An hour they rode at rapid pace,
When Guldborg look'd, if friends gave chase.

"My father's horses there I see,
"And my betrothed in chase of me."

"Guldborg to such a service deign,
"Light down and hold our horses' rein. "

"Now if in fight you see me fall,
"My name I pray you not to call.

"And if you see the blood run red,
"Be silent, lest you name me dead."

Ribolt in mail was soon array'd.
For Guldborg lent her willing aid.

On the first group he dealt a blow,
Laid Truid and her father low.

He met the next, and did not spare
Her brothers with the golden hair.

"Stop, stop, Ribolt, o stay thy hand,
"And sheathe I pray thy murderous brand.

"At least my youngest brother spare,
"The news let him to his mother bear;

"The mournful news that all are dead;
"Alas that she a daughter bred!"

The moment Guldborg named his name,
A fatal blow, the deathblow came.

Ribolt his weapon slung to his side,
"Come, Guldborg, come, now further ride."

Through Roseholt both in silence went.
Nor gave to joy or sorrow vent.

"Ribolt, but tell me, I implore,
"Why art thou cheerful now no more?"

"Because I am faint from loss of blood,
"And then I am tired, and sad of mood;

"I know full well, from failing breath,
"My heart is in the grasp of death."

"Wait but till I my stay-lace find,
"It well may serve thy wound to bind."

"There's naught to do, God give thee grace,
"Of little help is now thy lace."

At last they reach'd the castle gate,
Where in the court his mother sate.

"Welcome, Ribolt, from weary ride,
"And is that lady then thy bride?

"I ne'er saw one with face so white,
"Or less with gold and jewels dight."

"No wonder she should look so pale,
"She has been where stouter hearts would quail.

"O God, that I one hour might live
"For time my last bequests to give!

"My father, take this faithful beast;
"O dearest mother, fetch a priest.

"Brother, for love thou bearest me,
"My dearest bride I give to thee."

"The maid I were full fain to win,
"If free I could remain from sin."

"Fear not; I once, I do confess,
"Enjoy'd, but only once, a kiss."

"Nay troth to both two brothers give,
"That will I never, while I live. "

Ribolt ere crow of cock was dead,
Guldborg, ere morning sun was red.

Three corpses from that house they bare,
In one day three, and all so fair;

Ribolt himself, his gentle bride,
And mother, who from sorrow died.