[2] For the bibliography see Grässe's Sagenkreise, p. 282. The story is also found, says some one, in the Swedish saga of Hakon Borkenbart.
A noble marquess, as he did ride a-hunting,
Hard by a river side,
A proper maiden, as she did sit a-spinning,
His gentle eye espy'd:
Most fair and lovely, and of comely grace was she,5
Although in simple attire;
She sang most sweetly, with pleasant voice melodiously,
Which set the lord's heart on fire.
The more he lookt, the more he might;
Beauty bred his hearts delight,10
And to this damsel he went.
"God speed," quoth he, "thou famous flower,
Fair mistress of this homely bower,
Where love and vertue live with sweet content."
With comely gesture and modest mild behaviour15
She bad him welcome then;
She entertain'd him in a friendly manner,
And all his gentlemen.
The noble marquess in his heart felt such flame
Which set his senses all at strife;20
Quoth he, "Fair maiden, shew soon what is thy name:
I mean to take thee to my wife."
"Grissel is my name," quoth she,
"Far unfit for your degree;
A silly maiden, and of parents poor."25
"Nay, Grissel, thou art rich," he said,
"A vertuous, fair, and comely maid;
Grant me thy love, and I will ask no more."
At length she consented, and being both contented,
They married were with speed;30
Her country russet was turn'd to silk and velvet,
As to her state agreed:
And when that she was trimly attired in the same,
Her beauty shin'd most bright,
Far staining every other brave and comely dame
That did appear [in sight].36
Many envied her therefore,
Because she was of parents poor,
And twixt her lord and her great strife did raise:
Some said this, and some said that,40
Some did call her beggar's brat,
And to her lord they would her oft dispraise.
"O noble marquess," quoth they, "why do you wrong us,
Thus basely for to wed,
That might have got an honourable lady45
Into your princely bed?
Who will not now your noble issue still deride,
Which shall be hereafter born,
That are of blood so base by the mother's side,
The which will bring them to scorn?50
Put her, therefore, quite away;
Take to you a lady gay,
Whereby your lineage may renownèd be."
Thus every day they seem'd to prate
At malic'd Grissel's good estate,55
Who took all this most mild and patiently.
When that the marquess did see that they were bent thus
Against his faithful wife,
Whom most dearly, tenderly, and intirely
He loved as his life;60
Minding in secret for to prove her patient heart,
Thereby her foes to disgrace;
Thinking to play a hard discourteous part,
That men might pity her case,—
Great with child this lady was,65
And at length it came to pass,
Two lovely children at one birth she had;
A son and daughter God had sent,
Which did their father well content,
And which did make their mothers heart full glad.70
Great royal feasting was at the childrens christ'ning,
And princely triumph made;
Six weeks together, all nobles that came thither
Were entertain'd and staid.
And when that these pleasant sportings quite were done,75
The marquess a messenger sent
For his young daughter and his pretty smiling son,
Declaring his full intent,
How that the babes must murthered be,
For so the marquess did decree.80
"Come, let me have the children," he said:
With that fair Grissel wept full sore,
She wrung her hands, and said no more;
"My gracious lord must have his will obey'd."