Ingefred, Torluf's Daughter

Sir Lav and good Sir Iver Blay,
So blithe and so kind of heart,
Two comrades were they, whose mutual love
No force could ever part.

'Twas once at the royal board they sat,
As I have the story heard,
And chatted about the pretty girls
With many a pleasant word.

And boldly the young Sir Lave rose,
On table struck hi? hand;
"There's not a maiden in all the world,
"My tongue could long withstand."

"Well done! but," answered Sir Iver Blay,
And much at his boasting smiled,
"I think that I know one pretty girl,
' "Were not so soon beguiled.

"Sir Torlufs daughter so well I know,
"I bet she is not cajoled;
"Try all your wheedling power of words,
"Or all your glittering gold."

"I'll wager my house, I'll wager farm,
"I'll wager — aye! my neck,
"I'll have the maid, if I go tonight,
"Tomorrow at my beck.

"Aye! wager will I both wealth and life,
"My farms and my ready fee,
"That Torlufs daughter, fair Ingefred,
"A leman shall be for me."

"O talk not wildly, my hearty friend,
"Nor risk your estate and gold:
"If you but knew her so well as I,
"Your bragging were not so bold."

Uprose Sir Lave, and thus he spake,
And lifted his hand on high;
"Tomorrow, if I should live so long,
"That maiden win will?

Sir Lav he bade his ready knaves.
His horse be duly drest;
"Tomorrow I'll up the country ride,
"And be Sir Torlufs guest.

"I'll mount me, and up the country ride,
"A visit to him to pay;
"I fain would his handsome daughter see,
"And win that lovely may."

So rode Sir Lav and came so bold,
In through Sir Torlufs gate.
And there stood his daughter, fair Ingefred,
Attired in her robe of state.

"Hail, Ingefred, Torlufs daughter fair,
"Incline you to be my love,
"And all the days that I have to live,
"My kindness you shall prove."

"Nay! nay! Sir Lav, go on your way,
"This year it is not to be;
"You cheated the lovely Silverlille,
"Whose like you will never see.

"And then the virtuous Blidelille,
"You plighted her your troth,
"And soon as your wishes you had gain'd,
"You broke your knightly oath.

"And next you have wronged fair Mettelille,
"And caused her bitter woe;
"God grant to my father length of life,
"To me you will not do so.

"Or I should sit in my lonely bower,
"And sorrowing heave my breast,
"While you afar off were drinking wine,
"And making my love your jest."

"But hear me, Ingefred, gentle maid,
"And be not, I pray, so cold,
"And I will give you a store of wealth
"In silver and eke in gold."

"Twelve marks of the best and purest gold,
"And twelve of silver too
"My father keeps in his treasure chest,
"And so. Sir Knight, adieu."

"But hear me, Ingefred, gentle maid,
"My wife if you will be,
"I'll give you at Bearsholm a lofty fort
"And one upon the sea."

"My father, Sir Knight, has castles too,
"And massive forts as well,
"If I should marry the youth I love,
"He'll find us where to dwell."

"O gentle Ingefred, change your mind,
"And kindly hear my prayer,
"On every finger of your fair hands
"Rich jewels you shall wear."

"Five rings my father Sir Torluf has,
"And jewels as pure and fine,
"If either of them I wish'd to wear
"All five, I am sure, were mine."

"But hear me, Ingefred, gentle maid,
"An ear to my pleading bend,
"And followers, proper men and tall,
"Shall daily your steps attend."

"Sir Lav, I'm neither halt nor blind,
"Nor fear I to walk alone;
"If footmen I wanted, my father's men
"Would follow me every one."

"But Ingefred dear, for mercy's sake
"Incline you to be my wife,
"For if your hand I should fail to gain,
"I've forfeited land and life."

"Sir Lav, my friend, I'd quite as soon
"That you in your grave lay dead,
"As stand myself in the Maiden-court
"For your sake pale and red.

"My mother is now in heaven above,
"And daily my loss I weep;
"She bade me with e'en her latest breath
"My honour safe to keep."

"If your good will then I cannot gain,
"Of all my farms I am shorn,
"And soon on my bier, a lifeless corpse,
"Shall into my grave be borne."

"This -night, and this very hour comes home
"My father from closed Assize,
"So haste. Sir Lav, and off, begone,
"You never will gain your prize.

"Beside, there is serving the king at court
"A gallant, Sir Iver bight,
"If he your errand should come to know,
"You'll be in a doleful plight.

"And then I have nine bold brothers too,
"Your match. Sir Lav, they;
"And all have sworn me a solemn oath
"They never will me betray. "

Sir Lav guided his horse about,
Ride homeward he dared no more;
For lost were his house and his fifteen farms,
And peril beside in store.

Well done, fair Ingefred, noble maid,
Who proved herself so true!
She rules in her dear Sir Iver's house.
And wears a silver'd shoe.