Now Marsk Stig's daughter hold my steed,
To cross the water a boat we need."

To a little boat he chang'd his steed,
And over the waves away they speed.

And when in the midst of the sound they were,
Dissolv'd the boat into water fair.

Up the land far was heard the cry
Of Marsk Stig's maid in her agony.

Now will I caution each maiden bright,
To dance not away with an unknown knight.

_Note_.--The above Ballad is a later, and greatly improved, version of
one which appeared under the title _The Merman_ only, in the _Romantic
Ballads_ of 1826. The introduction of the incident of the changing by
magic of the horse into a boat, furnishes a reason for the catastrophe
which was lacking in the earlier version.

THE KNIGHT IN THE DEER'S SHAPE
OR
THE DECEIVER DECEIVED

It was the Knight Sir Peter,
He dwelleth down by Oe;
Nothing, nothing, will he do
But sail about and row.

Sail about and row about
Is all that he will do,
So many a maiden he allures
And proves to them untrue.

To servants two addressed him,
Sir Peter of the isle:
"With wily speeches win me
The Damsel Usalile."

The gallant swains then riding
To Usalile's home,
A message sent inquiring
If they to her might come.

In then came the gallants,
Before the board they stood--
O, they were nimble at the tongue,
Could speak in wily mode!

"Thy brothers seven from Skaane
Thee lovingly do greet,
On board this ship to meet them
Their sister they entreat."

"O if with me for parlance
My brothers are inclined,
Here at her table sitting
Their sister they will find.

"No lovely maid on shipboard
Is ever wont to go,
But sharp reproofs pursue her,
And taunting words, I trow."

Away then ride the gallants
And to their lord repair:
"We cannot win the damsel
By means of speeches fair."

"O I will have the damsel,
And she shall yet be won;
I vow me to deceive her
By force of magic Rune."

Then o'er his broider'd trousers,
And jacket flower'd fair,
The skin of a hart he donneth
The maiden to ensnare.

Now sported the wild little hart
The damsel's house before,
Glitter'd like the ruddy gold
Each hair the creature bore.

Open stood the castle gate,
The hart therein has stray'd;