A hard flint rock she soon became, For herself she earn’d both woe and shame.

p. 9TYGGE HERMANDSEN

p. 9

Down o’er the isle in torrents fell On a Thursday morn the rain; To fetch his bride now forth shall ride Sir Tygge Hermandsen.

Sir Tygge out of the window look’d, The brooks ran boisterously; “To ride out now would bring me woe, So dear no bride I’ll buy.

“But hear thou, Nilaus Benditson, Long shanks has thy good steed; I beg for the love of the God above You’ll fetch my bride with speed.”

p. 10Then answer’d Nilaus Benditson, In his sleeve thus answer’d he: “If me thou dispatch thy bride to fetch I’ll trick thee certainly.”

p. 10

It was Nilaus Benditson, He rode the bride to meet; There hung silk sheen and sendal green Before his courser’s feet.

They clad themselves in silken cloth, And in cloth of gold beside; In long array to the Kirk their way  They took with the youthful bride.

The bride before the holy Kirk door Like a blooming rose did stand; Oft did she turn to the water, to learn If the bridegroom was at hand.

Then answer’d Nilaus Benditson, He stood by the bride so close: “The brooks so roar’d that to cross the ford He fear’d would wet his hose.”

p. 11They plac’d the bride on the bridal bench With pomp and honor high; Oft would they turn to the water to learn If the bridegroom bold drew nigh.

p. 11

In the silver cup they skink the ale, And the nut-brown mead they pour; Thus things they sped till day was fled, And until of bed the hour.

They lifted up the youthful bride, In the bride-bed her they set; And there sat she for hours three, There came no bridegroom yet.

The priests before the bride-bed stood, And sang with all their might: “Who in the bed in the bridegroom’s stead Shall sleep with the bride tonight?”

Then forth stepp’d Nilaus Benditson, His lac’d shoe off flung he: “With the bride so bright I’ll sleep tonight, And give her my 

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