“Proud Valborg, from suspicion freed,
I here declare my bosom’s dearie;
And she shall be my Queen with speed,
And on her brows the crown shall carry.”
The cloth was spread, and down to board
They sat, the skinkers did their duty;
Sir Axel sat, full many a word
Exchanging with his cherish’d beauty.
“Now list, since here apart we be,
O Valborg, thou, my ravished jewel,
Canst form no plan which possibly
May chase from us love’s anguish cruel?”
“Sir Axel though to wed I go
The King, ’tis not from inclination;
Though I live years a thousand, thou
Within my heart wilt hold thy station.
“And I will sit in chamber high,
And I’ll embroider cap and kirtle:
I’ll pass my time so mournfully
E’en like the gentle widow’d turtle.
“Who on the green bough will not rest
Her legs, with weariness which fraught are,
Nor of the limpid pool will taste
Until her feet have soiled the water.
“But Axel thou ride forth with glee,
The hind and savage roe in quest of;
Each thought of me that comes o’er thee
I pray thou wilt thyself divest of.
“My gallant Lord ride forth with glee,
The nimble hare and leveret follow;
All thoughts of me that rise in thee
I beg thee drown in whoop and hollo.”
“Though in the green wood I should ride,
And rouse the savage deer from cover,
What should I do in night’s still tide
When sleep comes not my eyelids over?
“Forsooth my father’s broad estate
I’ll sell for gold and silver pieces,
And hie to foreign regions straight,
And pine until my life-pulse ceases.”