Medelwold and Sidselille

All in their lofty bower so still
Sat with her mother Sidselille.

Gold web they wove, till on her gown
The drops of milk ran trickling down.

"Dear Sidselille, I'd gladly know,
"How from thy bosom milk should flow?"

"No milk, tho' so you seem to think,
"But mead I had yestre'en to drink."

"But those are things unlike indeed,
"So white is milk, so brown the mead."

"Then, since the truth I cannot hide,
"I'm Medelwold's affianced bride."

"And true is what thou hast even told?
"The armnced thou of Medelwold?

"Then high on gallows hang shall he,
"And blaze below the pile for thee/'

Fair Sidselille in her mantle wrapt
Sped to the chamber where he slept.

She waked him up with gentle knock,
"Rise, Medelwold, the door unlock."

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

"O draw the bar, dear Medelwold,
"My mother has the truth been told;

"And thou, she swears, shalt hang on high,
"And bum on blazing faggots I."

"Nay, hang, that will I not for thee,
"Nor burn below shalt thou for me.

"In casket store thy gold away,
"While I go saddle me my grey."

He wrapp'd her well in purple weed.
And laid her gently upon his steed.

But when they reach'd the grove of rose,
She pray'd she might awhile repose.

"Of length of road dost thou complain?
"Or does the saddle give thee pain?"

"Not of the road do I complain,
"It is the saddle gives me pain."

His mantle blue he soon has spread,
"Fair Sidselille, make that thy bed."

"O that my waiting maid were here!
"Without some help my death is near."

"Thy maids are far away from thee,
"Nor other servant here but me."

"I'd rather lay me down and die,
"Than now let any man be nigh."

"Nay, bind thy kerchief round my head,
"And I will serve in nurse's stead."

"O for a draught of water clear,
"My sad and aching heart to cheer!"

Young Medelwold, so good and true,
For water took her silver'd shoe;

And through the thicket broke his way,
To where a distant streamlet lay.

Deep in the dale he reached the spring.
And there two nightingales heard sing:

"With two small infants by her side
"Your lady in the grove has died."

He heard, but heeded not their lay.
And hastened back his weary way;

But when he found the grove again,
Too true had been their doleful strain.

He dug a grave, was broad and deep,
And laid all three therein to sleep;

But seem'd, while still he lingered near,
Beneath his foot their cries to hear.

So on a rock he stay'd his sword,
And through his heart the weapon bored:

And there with her, his bride so true.
Now buried lies her lover too.