To five of his good knights spake sternly the King:
“Depart, and my sister straight home to me bring.”
The knights rode away as King Valdemar said,
Much rather, much rather, would they have been dead.
They struck on the door ’neath their mantle of skin:
“Sweet princess Kirstina, arise, let us in.”
To the chamber straight came the true serving lass:
“We crave thy leave into the chamber to pass.”
“O sirs, ye may enter as free as the morn,
For nobody here any baby has borne.”
Then in sorrowful mood good Sir Peter replied:
“God grant that thy words I may see verified.”
“Arise, little Kirsten, thyself quick array,
For thou to thy brother this night must away.
“Array thyself quick, for in hurry we are,
Thy brother the King has returned from the war.”
“Alack, I dare venture my gold coronet,
That I shall my death by this night-journey get.