He flew up, and he flew down,
He flew in fearless guise;
And when he reached the midst of the sea
He heard a frightful voice.
“Ha, well met, Germand Gladenswayne,
O’er long hast thou delay’d;
Thou wast but little when to me
A present thou wast made!”
“O let me fare, O let me fly,
To speak my maiden dear;
Be sure that I, when her I’ve seen,
Again will meet thee here.”
“Then I will let thee fly, but still
My mark on thee will set,
Lest thou midst knights and beauteous dames
Thy raven lord forget.”
Then out the boy’s right eye he tore,
And drank up half his blood;
But still he reached the bower of his bride,
His heart was yet so good.
He set himself by the Damsels’ bower,
All bloody and distrest;
All the dames within that were
Forgot to smile and jest.
All the damsels grew so still,
With horror sat they fast;
Except proud Damsel Adelude,
Aside her work she cast.
All the maids within forsook
Both jest and merry note;
’Twas the proud Damsel Adelude
Her hands together smote.
“Now welcome, Germand Gladenswayne,
Where hast thou been to play?
Say, why bebloodied are thy clothes,
And pale thy cheeks as clay?”
“Farewell, dear Damsel Adelude,
I soon from thee must fly;
For he must have my youthful life
Who tore from me my eye.”