Then in their sable and mard array
Stepped forward stately knights eleven:
“We’ll with Sir Axel swear to-day,
Betide whatever pleases heaven.”
Down Valborg’s cheek ran tears as fleet
As winter rain when fastest pouring:
“Ah where shall I with friends now meet?
Destruction’s voice for me is roaring.”
Answered her uncles all with speed,
Their voice it made her ears to tingle:
“As thou wast single in the rede,
So in the oath be also single.”
Then up and spake Archdeacon Erland,
That speech has broken all his patience:
“Thou hast not many friends at hand,
Poor maid, though plenty of relations.
“Thou of relations hast a store,
But friends thou canst not one discover;
God help thee in this peril sore,
And may thou all thy woes get over.”
“That sire and mother mine are dead,
I’ve cause I trow to rue sincerely;
But God, who helpeth all in need,
He sees my innocence full clearly.
“Dame Julli sleeps the slab below,
Sir Emmer lies in earth’s embraces,
If they but lived my uncles now
Would scarcely turn from me their faces.”
And as she sat with cheek so white
And wrung her hands in piteous taking,
Sir Hagen bold appeared in sight,
With speed towards the castle making.
To Valborg strode he hastily,
Behind him all his knightly party:
“My pretty maid to swear with thee
I come to offer free and hearty.
“Full well loves thee Dame Eskelin,
Who every night doth sleep beside me;
Thy Dame and she were close of kin,
And therefore hither have I hied me.