The bride before the holy Kirk door
Like a blooming rose did stand;
Oft did she turn to the water, to learn
If the bridegroom was at hand.
Then answer’d Nilaus Benditson,
He stood by the bride so close:
“The brooks so roar’d that to cross the ford
He fear’d would wet his hose.”
They plac’d the bride on the bridal bench
With pomp and honor high;
Oft would they turn to the water to learn
If the bridegroom bold drew nigh.
In the silver cup they skink the ale,
And the nut-brown mead they pour;
Thus things they sped till day was fled,
And until of bed the hour.
They lifted up the youthful bride,
In the bride-bed her they set;
And there sat she for hours three,
There came no bridegroom yet.
The priests before the bride-bed stood,
And sang with all their might:
“Who in the bed in the bridegroom’s stead
Shall sleep with the bride tonight?”
Then forth stepp’d Nilaus Benditson,
His lac’d shoe off flung he:
“With the bride so bright I’ll sleep tonight,
And give her my troth with glee.”
So they the bridal solemnized,
And glad themselves they made;
At home was then Tygge Hermandsen,
To cross the brooks afraid.
It chanc’d upon a Wednesday,
The waters began to fall;
Across came then Tygge Hermandsen
With his gay bridesmen all.
And he came to the bridal house
Where the feast was spread in state,
Then up and cried the youthful bride:
“Ride back, you come too late.”