85 The spells were vain; the hags returned
To the queen in sorrowful mood,
Crying that witches have no power
Where there is rown-tree wood.
Her last effort, she sent a boat,
90 Which in the haven lay,
With armed men to board the ship,
But they were driven away.
The worm lept out, the worm lept down,
She plaited round the stone;
95 And ay as the ship came to the land
She banged it off again.
The Child then ran out of her reach
The ship on Budley-sand,
And jumping into the shallow sea,
100 Securely got to land.
And now he drew his [berry-brown] sword,
And laid it on her head;
And swore, if she did harm to him,
That he would strike her dead.
105 "O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,
And give me kisses three;
For though I am a poisonous worm,
No hurt I'll do to thee.
"O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,
110 And give me kisses three;
If I'm not won e'er the sun go down,
Won I shall never be."
He quitted his sword, and bent his bow,
He gave her kisses three;
115 She crept into a hole a worm,
But out stept a lady.