They stopped Maria’s Church before,
And from their steeds they have descended,
In stepped they through the lofty door,
By knights and noble friends attended.
Midst of the Church’s aisle they stay’d,
Their steps the advancing Chapter facing;
All saw they were at heart afraid
Who on that luckless two were gazing.
Advanced with silver staff in hand
The Archbishop then, of reverend carriage;
Behind him all the priestly band
Who should forbid the lovers’ marriage.
Then forth Canute the brother trode,
With scrolls of pedigree was laden;
And from those scrolls alack he show’d
That near akin were knight and maiden.
The tree of pedigree was read
By the command of that black brother;
They were akin full clear it made,
And both by lineage of the mother.
Descended of a lineage high
Each to the other stood related,
In third degree their affinity,
So priests the pair have separated.
Two cousins they from Gild’s root sprung,
A prodigy of virtue either;
Proud Valborg fair and Axel young
Must never, never come together.
What time they were baptized one Dame
Did bear them to the sacred fountain;
Their Godfather he was the same,
His name Sir Asbiorn of the mountain.
Relations they by birth and blood,
Of Gildish race renowned and dreaded;
Relations they beside in God,
Alas! they never can be wedded.
They led them to the shrine, and placed
A kerchief in their hands which quiver;
Their lineage and line are traced,
And priests are bent their bands to sever.