p. 10Then out and spake the afflicted Dame Whilst shedding many a tear: “O God in mercy look on me, My fate is hard to bear.

p. 10

“I did possess as fair a man As ever walk’d-on mead, But now perforce with laidly Trold Must do adulterous deed.”

He kiss’d her once, he kiss’d her twice, Her heart yet sadder grew; The laidliest Devil he became That man did ever view.

When the third time he her would kiss She call’d on Mary’s son; Then he became a lovely knight, His elfin shape was gone.

It happen’d neath a linden green He was from woe releas’d; Then straightway fled all fear and dread, So well they all were pleas’d.

p. 11“Hear, thou beloved Ellenlile, Consent my wife to be, And all the gold in England’s isle I will bestow on thee.

p. 11

“When I was little, Death from me My mother took away; My step-dame drove me forth, and I Became a Trold so gray.

“I’ll give thy husband gifts of price And titles fair beside; In verity, thou yeoman’s dame, Thou wilt become my bride.”

“Thou noble knight, we’ll thank the Lord From woe who set us free, If thou wilt wed some fair young maid You both may live in glee.”

“If thee I can’t in marriage get I’ll have thy daughter bright, And all thy benefits to me By crowning her requite.

p. 12“Thanks, Ellen, thanks, thou woman wise, To praise thee I’ll not cease; If I may not thy love obtain I’ll leave thee here in peace.”

p. 12

Now builds the yeoman on his isle, And no one him offends; His daughter bears old England’s crown, And happy days she spends.

Now Ellen has, the yeoman’s wife, Escap’d from care and harm; She’s mother to a Queen, who sleeps Within a Monarch’s arm.

Who bore him first a daughter fine, And then a blooming heir; They thank’d the Lord on every side For all their fortune fair.

The daughter now of Ellenlile Of England has the sway; And Ellen with her yeoman lives, Each other’s equals they.

p. 13URANIENBORG.

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