Little Kirstin's Dance

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me;
"I've a gown all of silk, and I'll give it to thee."

"For gown all of silk, Sir, — as good I can buy,
"But dance not this year with the King's son will I."

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me,
"I've shoes latch'd with silver — I'll give them to thee."

"For shoes latch'd with silver — as good I can buy,
"But dance not this year with the King's son will I."

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me,
"I've a buckle of gold, and I'll give it to thee."

"For buckles of gold, Sir, — as good I can buy,
"But dance not this year with the King's son will I."

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me,
"And half a gold ring, — see, I'll give it to thee."

"The half a gold ring, Sir, — as good I can buy,
"But dance not this year with the King's son will I."

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me,
"Knives hilted with silver I'll give then to thee."

"Knives Lilted with silver as good I can buy,
"But dance not this year with the King's son will I."

"Kirstin, fair Kirstin, come trip it with me,
"My troth and my honour, I plight them to thee."

Fair Kirstin she tripp'd it so light and so neat,
Fifteen were the knights, that she danced off their feet.

Fair Kirstin so long mid the dancers would tread,
That over her shoes was the blood running red.

A mantle of scarlet around her was thrown.
And Kirstin was brought to the chamber of stone.

A mantle so blue there was spread on the floor.
And pretty and small were the children she bore.

And soon to the King is a messenger sped;
"Fair Kirstin sits nursing two children in bed."

He's gone to her chamber — "Now whom do you call
"The father to these pretty children so small?"

"Their father, so help me the God overhead,
"I know not, nor whether he's living or dead.

"My father, a poor simple creature was he,
"He built me a bower by the side of the sea.

"He built me a chamber below on the strand,
"Where boatmen were wont from their vessel to land.

"'Twas eight of those boatmen broke into my bower,
"And one of them left me disgraced from that hour."

"But tell me, fair Kirstin, o tell me, and say,
"What gave he, the price of thine honour to pay?"

"Of silk all embroider'd he gave me a dress,
"That ever adds new to my daily distress.

"Of shoes latch'd with silver he gave me a pair,
"Are daily renewing my trouble and care.

"He gave me a precious gold buckle and baud,
"There's found not a better in all the land.

"His gold ring he sunder'd, and half he gave me,
"Shame follow the villain wherever he be!

"He gave me two knives, with a rich silver hik,
"Would Christ with his knives that his hearts-blood were spilt!"

"O stay, little Kirstin, and curse him no more,
"For father am I to the children you bore."

He kiss'd little Kirstin again and again,
He crowned her, and gave her the title of Queen;

And now may fair Kirstin lay sorrow aside,
And nightly may sleep with the King at her side.