Little Christel and Her Captive Bridegroom

Upstood fair Christel, left her bower
Her bead wrapt in her cloak,
And went to her troopers' banquet ball,
And greeted them and spoke.

'Hail, gallant troopers! here ye sit
"And gaily drain the can,
"For Holsterland we march at dawn
"To fetch my trothplight man."

" Before the king of Holsterland
Fell Christel on her knee;
"I'll for my bridegroom give my gold,
"And all my ready fee."

"Thou shalt not get for gold or coin
"Thy bridegroom from my hands,
"Until I have thy father's house,
"And forest, where it stands.'

"Thou shalt not get my father's house,
"Nor yet the forest round;
"Nor ever get one stake thereof,
"While I am alive and sound.

"And if my bridegroom I get not
"For gold and ready fee,
"I'll set your Holster house on fire,
"Nor leave you time to flee."

"But, little Christel, hark, ray maid,
"Thou'rt strangely bold of tone!
"Where stand then all thy gallant men?
"Thou'rt surely nut alone?"

"So small and young as still I am,
"I lead my troops afield;
"Twelve thousand maidens march with me,
"And bear a spear and shield."

Up stood the King of Holsterland,
And out of window gazed;
Twelve thousand troopers, stout and tall,
In burnish'd armour blazed.

Then call'd his page the Holster King,
And thus was heard to say;
"Let little Christel's bridegroom free,
"And that without delay."

Bravo, fair Christel! thus in arms
Her faith did she maintain,
And brought to her kingdom bravely won
Her bridegroom back again.