“Dear sister Gudrune so fain I’d know
Why down thy cheek the salt tears flow?”
“Cause enough have I to be thus forlorn,
With a load of sorrow my heart is worn.
“Hear, Ingefred, hear what I say to thee,
Wilt thou to-night stand bride for me?
“If bride for me thou wilt stand to-night,
I’ll give thee my bridal clothes thee to requite.
“And more, much more to thee I’ll give,
All my bride jewels thou shalt receive.”
“O I will not stand for bride in thy room,
Save I also obtain thy merry bridegroom.”
“Betide me whatever the Lord ordain
From me my bridegroom thou never shalt gain.”
In silks so costly the bride they arrayed,
And unto the kirk the bride they conveyed.
In golden cloth weed the holy priest stands,
He joins of Gudrune and Samsing the hands.
O’er the downs and green grass meadows they sped,
Where the herdsman watched his herd as it fed.