“If thou wilt up of the country ride,
And well avenge that deed,
As many of my men to thee
I’ll lend, as thou shalt need.
“If thou’lt avenge thy father’s death,
Thou shalt have fitting aid;
Three hundred of my men to thee
I’ll lend, in steel array’d.”
It was the little Engel, he
Rides in the greenwood shade;
He marshals there his good men all,
And sets him at their head.
In haste came in the little footboy,
And stood before the table;
He was I ween a clever lad,
And well to speak was able.
“Now hear, Sir Godey Loumand, hear,
Arise and straight begone;
Little Engel’s coming with his troop
By four ways to the town.
“Little Engel’s coming with his troop,
And he’ll be on us soon;
And wroth is he, as wroth can be,
His war-lance scrapes the moon.”
“At Stevn and Ting, my boy, I’ve been,
And wherever people mingle;
But ne’er, I swear, have I been where
I’ve heard of little Engel.”
It was Godey Sir Loumand,
He stroked the page’s cheek;
“If thou canst give any good advice,
My pretty footboy, speak.”
“If I can give any good advice
Most certainly I will;
In your stone bower yourself immure
From the approaching ill.
“The walls they are of marble stone,
The doors they are of lead;
’Twill wondrous be, my lord, if we
Therein are prisoners made.”