Ermeline

Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
by GEORGE BORROW
London: printed for private circulation
1913
With lance upraised so haughtily Sir Thunye rides from Alsey town; On land and main he was, I ween, A daring knight of high renown.
Sir Thunye rides in good green wood, He fain will chase the nimble hare; And there he meeteth the Dwarf’s daughter, All with her band of maidens fair.
Sir Thunye rides in good green wood, To chase the nimble hart and hind; And there he meets the Dwarf’s daughter, Beneath the linden bough reclin’d.
She rested ’neath the linden’s shade, The gold harp in her hand was seen: “O yonder I spy Sir Thunye ride, I’ll bring him to my feet, I ween.
“Now sit ye down, my maids so small, And sit you down my little foot boy; For I the Runic note will play, Till field and meadow bloom with joy.”
Then struck she amain the Runic stroke, The harp began so sweet to ring, The wild bird on the twig that sat Forgot its merry song to sing.
The wild bird on the bough that sat Forgot its merry song to sing; The wild hart running in the shaw Forgot forthwith to leap and spring.