The Maiden in the Shape of a Snake

There stood a fair and a courtly maid
Beside Sir Jenus bed,
And proffered him five good silver bowls
And gifts of the gold so red.

"Five silver bowls were left with me,
"These all will I give to you
"What time my brother divided goods,
"He nothing about them knew.

"I'll give you the whole of my coffer'd store,
"Both gold and jewels rare;
"My brother, when we divided goods,
"Was nothing of them aware.

"I'll give you beside the twelve fleet foals,
"That out in the forest race;
"Reliance upon my plighted word,
"Sir Jenus, you may, place.

"I'll give you besides my twelve stout boats
"Are anchor upon the strand;
"I would, if I were a knight like you,
"Accept such a lady's hand."

"Twas near on the stroke of midnight hour,
The cock had struck on the beam;
"I' faith 'tis time that you help me now,
"Ere daylight begins to gleam."

'Twas just on the stroke of midnight hour,
The cock he had clapp'd his wing;
She changed from a maid to a creeping snake,
And into the grass did spring.

So fast and so sound Sir Jenus slept,
He nothing had seen or heard;
But wakeful was lying the little page-boy,
And told to him every word.

"Now list, Sir Jenus, dear master mine,
"In dreams thou art deeply read;
"There came hereof a fine and gentle maid,
"Was standing beside your bed.

"Eich gifts of the gold she proffer'd you,
"And five fair silver bowls,
"And coursing upon the forest lawn
"Twelve fleet and highbred foals.

"She proffer'd you all her twelve stout boats,
"Are anchor'd upon the strand;
"She would, if she were a knight like you,
"Accept such a lady's hand.

"'Twas near on the stroke of midnight hour,
"The cock had struck on the beam;
"She said, it was time to give her aid,
"Ere daylight began to gleam.

"'Twas just on the stroke of midnight hour,
"The cock he had clapp'd his wing,
"And then she changed to a creeping snake,
"And into the grass did spring."

Sir Jenus he called his servants twain,
And thus he was heard to say;
"Up knaves, and upon my good grey steed
"My best gold saddle lay."

Sir Jenus he went by a lonely road
Along the mountain side,
And there he beheld the creeping snake
Through herbage and bushes glide.

Sir Jenus over the saddle bent.
The bright little snake he kiss'd.
And straight there was smiling a lovely maid.
Where even a snake had hiss'd.

"Sir Jenus, for this great honour done
"My gratefullest thanks are due;
"Whatever the favour you ask of me,
"I gladly will grant to you/'

"I thank you heartily, gentle maid,
"Nor will I your offer slight,
"But here I will make you my trulove dear,
"If you will pledge a knight"

"Then hear me, Sir Jesus, the words I say,
"There's no one so dear as you;
"And gladly I'll pledge you before the world
"To you to be ever true."

And there Sir Jenus upon the spot
He plighted the maid his troth,
And soon there was held the marriage feast
With joy and with peace to both.