Queen Berngerd, The Bard and the Dreams, and Other Ballads

Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
by GEORGE BORROW
London: printed for private circulation 1913
Copyright in the United States of America by Houghton , Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter .
Long ere the Sun the heaven arrayed, For her morning gift her Lord she prayed: “Give me Samsoe to have and to hold, And from every maiden a crown of gold.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
The King he answered Berngerd thus: “Madam, crave something less of us, For many a maid lives ’neath our sway To ’scape from death could the like not pay.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
“My gentle Lord, then hear my prayer, Suffer not ladies the scarlet to wear; And, Sir, you must grant me this boon beside, Let no boor’s son a good courser ride.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
“What ladies can buy to wear they are free, And hindrance none they shall meet from me; If the son of a Boor can a horse support, ‘Fore God, I’ll never destroy his sport!” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
“My Lord, we’ll that matter let drop to the ground; With chains of steel let the land be bound, So that man or woman thereout or therein Withouten toll cannot hope to win.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
“How should we so much steel obtain, As to bind therewith the land and main? O Madam! some mercy and kindness shew, Or expect the curse of the people now.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .
“To Ribe, to winter there, we’ll depart, There smiths we shall find well skilled in their art;
Both locks and keys will we have made, And toeen and iron palisade.” Woe befall her , Berngerd .