The Orphan Sister

I stood at wash beside a rill,
Under a mountain side
Two knights came riding down the hill.
How Hogen's sons can ride!

The one in silence went his way,
And one to chat with me would stay.

"O plight me troth, and, maiden fair,
"I'll give thee a gay gold band to wear."

"But should my fostermother scold,
"To see me wear a band of gold?"

"Say, walking out on yonder strand,
"Thou st found it glittering on the sand"

"And, pray, how should I frame my tale,
"If she should see my cheek grow pale?"

"Thy cheek grow pale if she should see,
"Tell her I mean to marry thee.

"But if thou wilt not hear of that,
"At least sit down with me, and chat.

"So place thee here upon the bank,
"And tell me what thy name and rank."

"At evening sunset I was born,
"My mother died at dawn of mora:

"The hour they laid her in her cell,
"Was rung my father's passing-bell;

"As him they left beneath the mould,
"For brothers and sisters too was told.

"And now were dead, all all were dead,
"All who should find me clothes and bread;

"Except Sir Swend my youngest brother,
"Who found for me a foster-mother;

"And she my childhood nurs'd and fed,
"Strange maidens taught me spin the thread.

"They taught me both to spin and sew,
"Virtue I taught myself to know."

"Fair maid, from this thy tale I hear,
"That thou art e'en my sister dear.

"So now, my sister, trust to me,
"I'll find a gallant knight for thee.

"Go dress and brush thy flowing hair,
"A brave rich knight shall be my care.

"Thy wedding feast shall be so grand,
"It's fame shall till our Danish land."