"Then up spake Erik Erikson,
Little though he mot be:
From Denmark thou'rt outlawed, as sure
As the crown belongs to me."
The marsk became irritated, and reined in his steed; whilst the prisoner on the wall laughed aloud.
"Pray be not angry, stern sir marsk," he muttered: "only hear the ballad out. There is not a word of falsehood in it."
The peasant-girl seemed to concern herself only with her bandages and her song, which went on to relate how the marsk went home to Lady Ingeborg, at Möllerup, and how she advised him to fortify Hielm. With deep grief, Stig Andersen heard some of the last words of his unhappy wife, as the girl continued her song:--
"For nine long winters have I pined--
In secret borne the blight;
My heart is now laid in the grave--