Peter Gudmanson and the Dwarfs

It was Sir Peter Gudmanson
Bade saddle up his grey;
"I'll mount, and to my lady-love
"A visit ride and pay."

The knight Sir Peter Gudmanson
Was riding through the grove,
And happy he, for all his thoughts
Were of his lady-love.

The knight Sir Peter Gudmanson
Rode over wood and lawn,
And in the forest lost his way
About the morning dawn.

And where he tried the devious paths,
With silk he found them spread,
And thus Sir Peter Gudmanson
Into the cave was led.

The knight Sir Peter Gudmanson
Enter'd the mountain cave,
And up to meet him rose the dwarf,
And a hearty welcome gave.

"Welcome, Sir Peter Gudmanson,
"To this our Elfin land!
"The nutbrown mead, the sparkling wine
"We'll pour with bounteous hand.

"The nutbrown mead we'll pour for you,
"The sparkling wine as well,
"But here, Sir Peter Gudmanson,
"A twelvemonth you must dwell."

"I've to a maiden plighted troth,
"She lives beyond the heath,
"And if for a year I stay with you,
"She pines herself to death."

Sad was.Sir Peter Gudmanson,
And sorely did he grieve;
The dwarfs fair daughter barr'd the door,
The cave he could not leave.

"I care not I for dames and maids,
"Or all their glittering train,
"But you shall in our Elfin cave
"A year with us remain/'

At last that wild and salvage dwarf,
On warfare forth would roam;
Glad was Sir Peter Gudmanson,
That he might stay at home.

The knight Sir Peter Gudmanson,
His head wrapp'd in his hood,
And to the dwarfs fair daughter went.
And in her chamber stood.

"Dwarfs daughter, hail, thou peerless maid!
"Like rose's queenly bloom!
"O teach me 'scape by runic spell
"This cavern's dreary gloom!"

"No child of Elfin dwarf am I,
"Tho' such I may appear,
"But, born of good and Christian blood,
"Was brought an infant here.

"I'll gladly teach thee runic spells,
"Shall ope for thee the door,
"But fear that thou in foreign lands
"Wilt think of me no more.

"Aye truly I will teach thee runes
"How from the cave to flee;
"When thou'rt again with dames and maids,
"I charge thee think on me."

"And wilt thou really teach me runes,
"How from the cave to flee?
"Then, maiden, on my Christian oath
"Forget I never thee."

When home the wild and spiteful dwarf
Came from his wars at last,
Up stood Sir Peter Gudmanson,
And runes against him cast.

So soon as rose the morning sun,
And shone abroad so brave.
Much long'd Sir Peter Gudmanson
To leave the Elfin cave.

Alas! his hope to leave the cave
Turned but to grief and pain;
The dwarfs fair daughter wrote rune.
And fetched him back again.

As stepped Sir Peter Gudmanson
Into the mountain cave,
Rose from her seat the Elfin maid.
And him a welcome gave.

"Welcome, Sir Peter Gudmanson,
"All honour be your due!
"I cannot let you leave my side,
"Such love I feel for you."

"O let me see the fields again
"For but one single day,
"And on my honour, Elfin maid,
"Thy goodness I'll repay."

She gave a lingering slow consent,
That he the cave should leave;
And truth it is, the Elfin maid
Had bitter cause to grieve.

Sir Peter stoop'd and wrote a rune
Down on the threshold floor,
And left the cave, and thank'd his God,
He dwelt therein no more.

As rode Sir Peter Gudmanson
In through his homestead gate.
Stood at the door his lady-love
Array'd in robe of state.

Oat stepped that fair and gentle maid
Her trulove knight to greet;
"Now praised be God, who sits in heaven,
"That once again we meet!"

"With. Elves and Dwarfs in mountain cave
"I spent a tedious year,
"But ever was my greatest grief,
"What you for me might fear."

The knight Sir Peter Gudmanson
His mantle o'er him spread.
As up into the lofty bower
The way his lady led.

And soon they held their wedding feast,
That happy youthful pair.
And live in peace and mutual love
Devoid of pain and care.

Thero pines to death the mountain dwarf
Bound in a runic spell;
And here Sir Peter Gudmanson
May with his trulove dwell.

So is Sir Peter Gudmanson
From pain and sorrow free,
Sleeps in his faithful lady's arms,
And happy man is he.