Sir Swerkel

In Swerker's house the fairest there
Fair Christel danced with flowing hair.
So modest and good the maid,
Who holds my heart in thrall.

Danced King and court, and all so gay,
And little Christel sang the lay.

Sir Swerkel gave the maid his hand;
"Fair Christel, deign with me to stand."

He pressed her hand, he drew her near,
"Christel, be my trulove dear."

Her foot he trod, her hand he press'd,
"Fair Christel, are my wishes guess'd?"

They danced within the chamber both,
And there she plighted him her troth.

The knight his mantle o'er him threw.
And off to his mother's chamber flew.

"Hark mother! Christel, lovely may,
"Has plighted me her troth today."

"Now heaven forefend," the dame replied,
"That sister be her brother's bride!

"Wedded may ye two never be,
"Ye're both my children, thou and she."

"O speak, and tell me, mother dear,
"When didst thou little Christel bear?"

"Whilst thou wast at the court of Rome,
"First saw the light that budding bloom.

"Whilst thou wast at the Holy Grave,
"Birth I to that bright mirror gave.

"But bred at court, since she was born,
"The maid has fur and scarlet worn."

"O mother dear, thy counsel give,
"How without Christel I may live."

"Go then, and hunt the hart and hind;
"So banish Christel from thy mind.

"Go, hunt the stag, go hunt the roe,
"And every thought of love forego."

He hunted both the hart and hind,
But she was ever in his mind.

He hunted both the stag and roe,
But thought of her could not forego.

So him they forced to quit the land.
And she to cloister pale was banned.

But not a bird approached her cell.
She pray'd not news of him to tell.

Not one could o'er his island glide,
He did not ask, how fared his bride.