The Maid in the Wood

The knight took hawk, and his swain took hound,
And rode to the chase away,
And game they started both great and small,
That skipp'd on the heath at play.
In summer-tide.

Beneath a linden he found a hind,
A maiden beneath a rose,
And laid on the ground his cloak so bine
To taste of a sweet repose.

And there they lay the night so long
To nobody's harm or grief;
And all the while the linden tree
Was hiding them under its leaf.

They lay in comfort the night so long,
And nobody knew they were there;
And sheltered them both the linden tree
With branches so green and fair.

But soon as morning began to dawn,
And shrilly the cock to crow,
The lady she tapp'd the knight's fair breast;
"Tis time for you now to go.

"So over the bridge and gallop away,
"And carefully cross the heath,
"My seven bold brothers avoid, if you can,
"Or surely they'll be your death."

"Now whether thy brothers are seven or ten,
"Or ever so handsome and tall,
"If me for a comrade and friend they take,
"I'll not be the worst of them all.

"And if to me they are staunch and true,
"A brother they'll find in me;
"But if they will rather my life and blood,
"A match for them all shall see"

"But oh! now, hear me, my dearest knight,
"So earnest and hard I sue,
"And turn thee and ride some other road,
"If ever they come in view."

"Nay, that shall never be told at court,
"That I have skulk'd away:
"Nay, tho' there should meet me three times seven,
"I'll prove me as good as they."

The knight he donn'd his coat of mail.
And belted sword to side;
A thousand adieus, as he rode away.
He bade to his weeping bride.

He plied the spur to his courser's flank.
So fiery was he of mood.
And soon he had reach'd the forest's edge,
Where seven brave horsemen stood.

"Well met! well met! thou gallant young knight,
"Tis early we find thee here!"
"I've ridden in greenwood at early hour,
"And hunted the forest doer/'

"But where is thy hawk? and where thy hound?
"And game that thou there didst slay?"
"I gave them all to a very good friend,
"Who met me at dawn of day."

"Nay never has that been knightly use,
"To give to a friend one's game;
"But thou with our sister has slept tonight,
"Unmindful our leave to claim."

"I rode to the wood to chase the deer,
"Nor sister of your's had known,
"I chased and I caught the first I saw,
"So pretty and all alone.

"It crept so sweetly beneath my cloak,
"So well was it pleas'd with me,
"And I was as glad and well content,
"How could I but let it be?

"The deer they had run before my hounds,
"To thickets had made their flight;
"The pretty tame hind to my breast I drew,
"And gaily we pass'd the night.

"A lady was she, a graceful maid,
"As mortal with eyes may see;
"If she is your sister, your leave I pray,
"That wedded she be to me.

"A faithful brother I'll be to you,
"For you will I risk my life;
"And her with all honour and love will treat;
"What more can I promise a wife?"

"No! never shalt thou our sister gain,
"Thy wedding we'll here prepare;
"Confess thee now at the linden tree,
"Confess to the birds in the air.

"And say if thou rather wilt stand or my?
"Or thee to the wood betake?
"Or boldly with arms defend thy life
"And fight for the lady's sake?"

"Then here will I stand, and scorn to fly,
"Or me to the wood betake,
"I'll boldly with arms defend my life,
"And fight for my lady's sake."

He first slew one, and he then slew two.
Such prowess and skill he show'd;
His lady's brothers he slew them all,
As gallant as they were proud.

But bitter the tears the lady shed
At news of the dismal fight;
She wept for her seven bold brothers slain.
But most for the handsome knight.