Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
QUEEN BERNGERD
THE BARD AND THE DREAMS
and
OTHER BALLADS
by
GEORGE BORROW
London:
printed for private circulation
1913
Copyright in the United States of America
by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter.
QUEEN BERNGERD
Long ere the Sun the heaven arrayed,
For her morning gift her Lord she prayed:
“Give me Samsoe to have and to hold,
And from every maiden a crown of gold.”
Woe befall her, Berngerd.
The King he answered Berngerd thus:
“Madam, crave something less of us,
For many a maid lives ’neath our sway
To ’scape from death could the like not pay.”
Woe befall her, Berngerd.
“My gentle Lord, then hear my prayer,
Suffer not ladies the scarlet to wear;
And, Sir, you must grant me this boon beside,
Let no boor’s son a good courser ride.”
Woe befall her, Berngerd.