Harsh and heavy e’en for healthful warriors;

How much worse for fever-sickening tired ones!

Wait, and I a cup of wine will bring thee.”

Swiftly tripp’d the maiden to her dwelling;

With a golden cup of wine return’d she,

Which she reach’d to Theodore of Stalatch.

Out he stretch’d his hand; but not the wine cup,

But the maiden’s hand, he seized, and flung her,

Flung her on his chestnut steed behind him:

Thrice he girt her with his leathern girdle,