Ingfred and Gudrune

Two sisters, Ingfred and Gudrune,
Were seated in their bower alone,
So fair it is at summer tide.

Fair Ingfred wove a web of gold,
But tears her sister's sorrow told.

"O speak, Gudrune, my sister dear,
"And say, why sheddest thou the tear?"

"Much cause I have to weep and sigh,
"For heavy griefs to bear have I.

"Hear, Ingfred, hear now what I say,
"Do thou be bride for me to-day:

"And this my wedding dress so fine,
And all my dowry shall be thine."

"Unless thy bridegroom I may keep,
"As bride with him I will not sleep."

"Then doom me heaven to weal or woe,
"My bridegroom I will not forego."

In silk attire was clad the bride,
And led to church in all her pride.

The priest in golden stole was dress'd,
And her and Samsing join'd and bless'd.

Away they drove across the mead,
Where sat a herd his flock to feed.

"Ye gentle maids, be on your guard,
"And enter not Sir Samsing's yard;

"For there he keeps two nightingales,
"Will tell of ladies secret tales;

"Will sing with little treacherous bill,
"If dame they be, or maiden still."

They drove aside to a greenwood glade,
And change of all their dresses made.

But tho' they clad themselves anew,
They could not change their faces hue.

"To Samsing's hall the bride was led,
And gold abroad in handfuls shed.

They placed her high on bridal chair,
And knights were proud her cup to bear.

Up spake the Minstrel, spake so free,
"Methinks 'tis Ingfred's face I see."

The maiden doff'd her golden ring.
And fee'd him something else to sing.

"Twas but in silly jest I spoke;
"Heed not, I pray, a minstrels joke/'

It now was late, and fall'n the dew.
And time the bride to bed withdrew.

And then to his birds Sir Samsing cried,
"Talk, pretty birds, before my bride.

"Sing me your song, and truly say,
"If to my bed is gone a may."

"'Tis Ingfred lies in bed as bride,
"Gudrune it is stands at the side."

"Up then, fair Ingfred, leave the bed,
"And thou, Gudrune, lie there instead.

"And say, Gudrune, my dearest, say,
"Why she and not thyself there lay,"

"My father dwelt beside the strand,
"Where lawless violence ruled the land.

"Eight rovers came at midnight hour,.
"And broke into my lonely bower.

"And one there was of high degree,
"Brought me to shame: — a knight was he."

He kindly tapped her cheek, and cried,
"Weep thou no more, my dearest bride;

"For, sent by me at midnight hour,
"My swains were they who broke thy bower;

"My swains and I it was who came,
"Myself the knight who wrought thy shame."

The seeming bride, fair Ingfred, too
A royal courtier came to woo.

As bride she had been so gaily dight,
She married too a wealthy knight.