“Who a game at chess can skilfully play, And win a foreigner’s gold away?”

All then sate so hushed and still, None save May Thure would prove their skill.

p. 16But Damsel Thure, she answered free: “Yes, I will at chess-table play with thee.”

p. 16

May Thure covered her golden head, And unto her father she is sped.

“Here thou sitt’st and drink’st wine from the shell, And may I sit down at chess-table?

“At the table a game of chess to play, Will help to beguile the longsome day.”

“Yes, by the Saints! my daughter bright, At chess thou may’st play from now till night.

“At chess to play thou, my girl, art free, Whether within or without I be.”

Thereto her mother answer made, In evil arts she was deeply read:

“Of Sir Thor the powerful have thou care, Lest he at chess-table thee ensnare.

“Do thou with thy maids in thy bower stay, At tables of gold thou shalt not play.”

p. 17But the maid no ear to her mother lent, To play at tables away she went.

p. 17

The first game on the board they played Was won by Thure, the lily maid.

“The eagle flies across the moor, He heeds but little the tempest’s roar.

“All that he findeth he swalloweth, How like to a woman devoid of faith!”

“O do not cast such reproach at me, Remember I waited eight years for thee.”

“Hear thou, Damsel, what word I say Wilt follow me now to Norroway?”

“I’ll follow thee gladly to Norroway’s land, If I with thee can reach the strand.”

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