“There are rich franklins dwelling hard by—
Mail will they lend us, and swords to try.”
Each maiden bound a sword by her side,
Featly fared they forth to ride.
When they rode to Rosy-Bower
They met Sir Erland the self-same hour.
“Bridegrooms are ye both, ye two,
Or else ye are riding forth to woo.”
“Bridegrooms are we not, we two,
But we are riding forth to woo.”
“I rede ye ride where dwell in a bower
Two fatherless maidens, with gold for dower.”
“If they have store of pelf
Why seek’st them not thyself?”
“I would flee them rather,
For I have slain their father,
“And I have slain their brother,
And I have beguiled their mother.”
“And hast thou slain father and brother,
Thou liest concerning our mother.”