Rederbrand and Guldborg (B)

Sir Rederbrand heard, as he lay on shore,
Fair Guldborg sing in her maiden bower.

"Now, Guldborg, listen to what I say,
"Wilt thou on a journey with me away?

"O gladly with theo would I leave the land,
"Were it not for the spies that round me stand.

"Horo watch me my parents by night and day,
"And sisters and brothers, so hard are they.

"My uncle, a traitor, is always near,
"And he is the one, whom most I fear."

"Do thou thy gold in a casket stow,
"While I to saddle my charger go."

Sir Rederbrand went to her father's stall.
And look'd at the horses, one and all.

He view'd the chesnut, he viewed the gray,
The saddle upon the best to lay.

The maid he caught by her slender waist.
And wrapt in his mantle on horseback placed.

They rode, with mantle around her thrown,
Away from the yard, unseen, unknown.

But when from the town they reach'd the plain,
There met them Sir Peter, the traitor swain.

"Sir Rederbrand! ah! well met! good day!
"And where have you stolen that gentle may?"

"Not stolen is she, but my own dear niece,
"One whom I from cloister thrall release."

"Sir Rederbrand, tell not a tale untrue,
"Ere thee I had seen, I Guldborg knew.

"For tho' in a mantle so blue she rides,
"Her golden tresses no mantle hides.

"Her scarlet kirtle she may not show,
"But well her rosy fresh cheek I know.

"Guldborg, Guldborg, deceive not me,
"For surely, too surely 'tis thou I see.

"I know thee well by the silver'd shoes,
"And more by the knight I see thee choose."

Sir Peter he d'onn'd his scarlet cloak,
And went to Erick the king, and spoke.

"Hail, Erick, my liege, so great and grand,
"Your daughter is off with Sir Rederbrand."

The King to his troopers was heard to call;
"Up! bind on your heads your helmets all.

"Your helmets d'on, and your coats of mail,
"Sir Rederbrand he is not wont to quail."

Fair Guldborg turned, and behind her spied
Her father and eighteen men beside.

"O Rederbrand see, my trulove dear,
"My father and eighteen men draw near."

He seated her down on linden leaf;
"Betray not, I pray thee, or joy or grief."

He seated her under the linden tree;
"Be silent, whatever thou chance to see."

He left his clothes on a mossy stone,
And met his foes in his shirt alone.

He slew her father and eighteen more,
And still was unscathed of wound or sore.

"Rederbrand, Rederbrand, now forbear,
"For my sake my younger brother spare."

He shook at the maiden the gory blade;
"Thy due t were, should it on thee be laid/'

He seated his bride on his horse again,
And painfully guided himself the rein.

As through the forest their way they broke,
No sound they utter'd, no word they spoke.

"Rederbrand, tell me, my knight so dear,
"What now is become of thy wonted cheer?"

"God help thee for aid, that thou canst give,
"I doubt if I most am dead, or live/'

They rode for many a weary mile,
And fain would the knight repose awhile.

He down on the grass his mantle spread.
And struggled a moment, and there lay dead.

Fair Guldborg wept, and her fingers wrung;
"God help a poor friendless girl so young!"

She seated herself on his horse, and rode.
And came alone to the Queen's abode.

"O hail. Queen Ellen, and God you speed!
"And say have you not of a handmaid need?

"In gold I can work, dress ladies' hair,
"And sheeting of moorgrass wool prepare."

"If thou art so able to braid and sew,
"Then into my maidens' chamber go."

They all on brocade their needles plied.
Except fair Guldborg, who sat and cried.

They all were working with gold on knee,
Except fair Guldborg, so sad was she.

Queen Ellen came in, and slapp'd her face,
"And why not working thy golden lace?"

"Queen, from chiding and blows forbear,
"My task I'll finish with greater care."

But ere on the morrow had dawn'd the day,
A corpse in her bed fair Guldborg lay.