Widow and child lamented sore,
This hurtful hawk had made them poor.
But they must thole this damage all,
Their tears but bootless, bootless fall.
Know ye little Alf?
SIR ALF THE FREEBOOTER
Song the Second
Sir Alf will not stay in Norroway land,
For he passes his time there wearily;
Full fifteen lordships in fief he holds,
He can live thereout right merrily.
Sir Alf he walks on the verdant wold,
Conning his breviary;
There meets him Bendit Rimaardson,
For God of his sins was weary.
“Good morrow, good day, thou little Sir Alf,
Thou art a valiant noble,
But if thou become the King’s prisoner to-day,
The land will know less trouble.”
“I am not the little Sir Alf,
I vow by the holy Mary;
I am but a little mass-boy, Sir,
To the priest the wine I carry!”
Bendit lifted his high, high hat,
And upon his visage staring,
Said: “Thou art the little Norwegian Alf,
If mine eyes are the truth declaring.
“Thou wast a school boy along with me,
Thou darest not deny it;
And well at the school I remember thee,
Thou gavest us no quiet.”
“If thou be Bendit Rimaardson,
Thou art my near relation;
If to-day thou wilt swear thou knowest me not,
Thou wilt do me an obligation.”