Now they are come to his castle fair and great,
And there stood his mother a-tarrying by the gate;
“Show us Sir Dalebo Jonsen!”
“I cannot show you Dalebo, I know not where he be,
For it is seven years and more he rode away from me—
I can show him not, Dalebo Jonsen.”
The captain pulled off his cap of blue,
A thousand gold-pieces he told so true—
“Now show us Sir Dalebo Jonsen!”
“To the east o’ the court, in the bower above,
Sir Dalebo talks with his own true love;
Ye can find him there, Dalebo Jonsen.”
They knocked at the door with shield and with spear;
Up sprang Sir Dalebo: “Whom have we here?
Who are these?” said Dalebo Jonsen.
He put on his armour all shining and bright,
Little Kirsten she clasped it, the best that she might—
“Clasp it hard!” said Dalebo Jonsen.
Sir Dalebo out of the window sprang—
His gold-hilted sword at his girdle rang—
“I come!” said Dalebo Jonsen.
He struck down one, he struck down two—
“’Tis thus the goodly game should go!
Doth it like ye?” said Dalebo Jonsen.
He struck down three, he struck down four—
“The game goes better than of yore!
What think ye?” said Dalebo Jonsen.
Sir Dalebo he mounted his steed of dapple-grey,
And forth he galloped faster than a bird can fly away,
“Tread softly!” said Dalebo Jonsen.