He was true to his Sidselil whilst he had breath,
He lies ’neath the earth now beside her in death.
*** Another, but widely different, version of this Ballad was printed in Romantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 28–31, under the title Sir Middel. In this version the name of the heroine is Swanelil, in place of Sidselil; and that of the hero is Sir Middel, in place of Child Maidelvold.
SIR PETER.
Sir Peter and Kirstin they sat by the board,
Betwixt them in jest there passed many a word.
“Now listen to me, good Sir Peter the knight,
Say, when wilt thou me to thy bridal invite?”
“’Twill be held in a far distant country, I trow,
So far that to come quite unable art thou.”
“And though thou shouldst hold it, Sir Peter, in Rome,
If thou shouldst invite me I’d certainly come.”
“And if at my bridals thou wish to appear,
Behind thou must leave all thy red golden gear.”
“In my red golden gear I will ever go dight,
For it was not gained by dishonor, Sir Knight.”
Sir Peter he bids them his bridals get ready,
Cries Kirstin: “Now shoe ye my palfrey so steady.”