“Hail Signild, daughter of the King,
Who here art spinning silken thread;
Sir Hafbur me has sent to thee
That thou mayst teach me how to braid.”
“If thou dost come by Hafbur sent,
A welcome guest thou here shalt be;
What I can impart of the braiding art
I’ll willingly impart to thee.
“Whate’er I know of the braiding art
I’ll willingly to thee disclose;
And thou thy meat from my dish shalt eat,
And with my best loved maid repose.”
“O I have eat with princely maids,
And by their sides have often lain;
I should pine, I trow, if bid to go
To bed with one of the servant train.”
“Well do not grieve my pretty may!
We’ll do thee no disgrace nor harm;
And thou thy meat from my dish shalt eat,
And thou shalt sleep within my arm.”
And there sat all the damsels proud,
And with their work dispatch they made,
Save Hafbur alone, the King’s good son,
Who with his needle often play’d.
They sewed the hart, and they sewed the hind,
In good green wood that ran about;
Of cup of gold he scarce got hold
But Hafbur all the wine drunk out.
In came the wicked servant maid,
In evil hour in came she:
“Where’er I’ve been I ne’er have seen
A maid know less of broidery.
“A damsel fair I ne’er have seen
Who understood of stitching less;
And ne’er on earth a maid of birth
Drink wine with greater eagerness.”
Then out and said the wicked maid,
And loud with her sharp voice she spake:
“No maid I’ve viewed of noble blood
Such draughts of power ever take.