With the bride to the bridal apartment they go, Fair Kirstin in front bears the yellow flambeau.

The bride in the soft bridal couch they have plac’d, To come to her arms good Sir Peter made haste.

p. 15INGEFRED AND GUDRUNE.

p. 15

Ingefred and Gudrune they sate in their bower, Each bloomed a beauteous fragrant flower—  So sweet it is in summer tide!

A working the gold fair Ingefred kept, Still sate Gudrune, and bitterly wept.

“Dear sister Gudrune so fain I’d know Why down thy cheek the salt tears flow?”

“Cause enough have I to be thus forlorn, With a load of sorrow my heart is worn.

“Hear, Ingefred, hear what I say to thee, Wilt thou to-night stand bride for me?

“If bride for me thou wilt stand to-night, I’ll give thee my bridal clothes thee to requite.

p. 16“And more, much more to thee I’ll give, All my bride jewels thou shalt receive.”

p. 16

“O I will not stand for bride in thy room, Save I also obtain thy merry bridegroom.”

“Betide me whatever the Lord ordain From me my bridegroom thou never shalt gain.”

In silks so costly the bride they arrayed, And unto the kirk the bride they conveyed.

In golden cloth weed the holy priest stands, He joins of Gudrune and Samsing the hands.

O’er the downs and green grass meadows they sped, Where the herdsman watched his herd as it fed.

“Of thy beauteous self, dear Damsel, take heed, Ne’er enter the house of Sir Samsing, I rede.

“Sir Samsing possesses two nightingales Who tell of the Ladies such wondrous tales.

“With their voices of harmony they can declare Whether maiden or none has fallen to his share.”

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