ee,
She'd ruin me to eternity.

"About the wild forest I have run,
To the boors much scathe and violence done.

"In winter and in summer's tide
In peace for me they could not bide.

"But they may thank my cruel Dame,
For 'twas through her I a bear became.

"She plac'd around my neck so tight
An iron band in wrath and spite.

"If thou this accursed band canst break
Thy life from thee I will not take."

"O I will help thee from thy thrall;
Maria's son who has power for all

"Will loosen from thee this stubborn band,
Full able thereto is his right hand."

O'er him the cross the knight did make,
The iron burst from the bruin's neck.

He became a youth as fair as day,
His father's realm he went to sway.

A noble maid awaits the knight,
The hand of the Monarch's sister bright.

They liv'd together in honor and joy,
To the cruel Stepdame's great annoy.

A hard flint rock she soon became,
For herself she earn'd both woe and shame.

TYGGE HERMANDSEN

Down o'er the isle in torrents fell
On a Thursday morn the rain;
To fetch his bride now forth shall ride
Sir Tygge Hermandsen.

Sir Tygge out of the window look'd,
The brooks ran boisterously;
"To ride out now would bring me woe,
So dear no bride I'll buy.

"But hear thou, Nilaus Benditson,
Long shanks has thy good steed;
I beg for the love of the God above
You'll fetch my bride with speed."

Then answer'd Nilaus Benditson,
In his sleeve thus answer'd he:
"If me thou dispatch thy bride to fetch
I'll trick thee certainly."

It was Nilaus Benditson,
He rode the bride to meet;
There hung silk sheen and sendal green
Before his courser's feet.

They clad themselves in silken cloth,
And in cloth of gold beside;
In long array to the Kirk their way
They took with the youthful bride.

The bride before the holy Kirk door
Like a blooming rose did stand;
Oft did she turn to the water, to learn
If the bridegroom was at hand.

Then answer'd Nilaus Benditson,
He stood by the bride so close:
"The brooks so roar'd that to cross the ford
He fear'd would wet his hose."

They plac'd the bride on the bridal bench
With pomp and honor high;
Oft would they turn to the water to learn
If the bridegroom bold drew nigh.

In the silver cup they skink the ale,
And the nut-brown mead they pour;
Thus things they sped till day was fled,
And until of bed the hour.

They lifted up the youthful bri