Fair Ellensborg and Sir Olave

Fair Ellensborg was gazing round,
As in her bower she stood;
"My own Sir Olave there I see
"Come riding through the wood.

"It is indeed Sir Olave's self
"In greenwood glade I see;
"Grant heaven, he prove my loyal knight,
"And hither come to me!"

Fair Ellensborg to her maiden turn'd,
And ask'd her friendly rede;
"And now what answer shall I give,
"So hard he is wont to plead?

"Tell him that long youe loved him well,
"But speak in modest tone;
"Tell him, of all who ask your hand,
"You love but him alone."

Now came Sir Olave riding in
And gaily lighted down;
And met the gentle Ellensborg
In ermine-border'd gown.

"My greeting, gentle Ellensborg!
"To me your favours yield,
"And you I'll love, and with my life
"From every danger shield."

"A sun among the lesser stars
"'Mong other men are you,
"And had you not my uncle slain,
"You should not vainly sue/'

"I'll freely gold and silver give,
"Your uncle's life to pay;
"Nay more, with friends in full Assize
"On bended knee will pray."

"My dear Sir Olave, say no more,
"But let these matters be;
"There's not another man on earth
"Is half so dear to me."

And there by stealth that very hour
They plighted them their troth,
And sware each other mutual love.
Till death o'ertake them both.

"Sir Olave, stay no longer here,
"Mount horse, and haste away;
"For if my brother Magnus comes,
"I fear a bloody fray."

With tearful eyes they bade adieu,
The loving gentle twain;
And God, their heavenly father, grant.
They soon may meet again!

Sir Olave went with hawk and hound
In greenwood glade to ride,
And in some evil hour he there
His lady's brother spied.

"Sir Olave ha! 'tis well we're met
"Alone in greenwood glade;
"The very man my uncle slew,
"And fine has never paid!"

"I'll give to pay your uncle's life
"Both gold and silver fee,
"And with my friends in full Assize
"Will pray with bended knee."

"You've not alone mine uncle slain,
"Nor ever paid the fine,
"But also won my sister's love,
"Nor cared for will of mine."

"I've won and plighted her ray troth,
"Shall her with honour treat,
"And you shall ever, while I live,
"As friend and brother meet."

With only five, his body swains,
Sir Olave left the place,
With three times five, all men at arms,
Sir Magnus gave him chase.

Sir Olave soon they overtook,
And cut to bits as small
As leaves that swept by wintry winds
From linden branches fall.

Sir Magnus left the bleeding corse.
Girt sword again to side.
And to his sister's started off
At rapid pace to ride.

And soon Sir Magnus reach'd his home,
And gaily lighted down,
And met his fond dear sister there,
In ermine-border'd gown.

"Welcome, my dearest brother, home!
"And what then did you find?
"Say, have you chased the hare today,
"Or hart or spotted hind?"

"I've neither hind nor martin slain,
"Nor any other deer,
"Than just the tame and gentle hart,
"Was wont to nestle here."

"And have you done this cruel deed?
"My dear Sir Olave slain?
"You nevermore shall live the day
"To see me glad again.

"But have you then Sir Olave met,
"And really wrought his death?
"I'll e'en to a cloister cell retire,
"And mourn him, while I've breath."

"O weep no more, nor be thine eyes
"In tears for ever drown'd;
"I'll give thee soon the richest knight
"Can in this realm be found."

"Sir Olave I would rather have
"With but his saddled dun,
"Than any else the wealthiest knight
"That dwells beneath the sun."

And spake the gentle Ellensborg,
And wrung her hands for woe;
"Brother, on you I most relied,
"Why deal me such a blow?"

With pity yearn'd Sir Magnus' heart
His sister's grief to see;
"If lovers' woe I had ever known,
"He might have lived for me."

The lady mourn'd in cloister cell
Till sorrow crazed her mind,
So much for him, her brother slew,
She daily sighed and pined.