p. 26Young Roland towards the mountain goes, He saw the little sparkles fly: “Betide whate’er the Lord God will I here will house me verily.”

p. 26

Young Roland into the mountain went, Benumbed with cold his limbs they shook: “What dost thou here, thou wretched man, On whom the Lord with pity look?”

Then up and spoke Dame Ellenlile:  “Young swain why hither hast thou come? What message hast thou brought to me? Thou’dst better far have staid at home.

“Now hie thee to the chamber in, So frozen and so wet withal; But cometh Rosmer Giant home He’ll tear thee into pieces small.

“Now sit thee down, thou wretched lad, And at the fire thy body cheer; If Rosmer Giant come striding in He’ll stick thee on this spit, I fear.”

p. 27Then home came Rosmer Shank-stretcher, And thus in anger he began: “Full certainly there’s hither come Some Christian woman, child, or man.”

p. 27

Then forward stepped she, Ellenlile, And swore so high and solemnly: “A crow which bore a dead man’s leg E’en now across the house did fly.

“A crow which bore a dead man’s leg Just now across our house did fly; He cast it in, I cast it out, And that I trow full speedily.”

But Rosmer shrieked and sprang about:  “Some Christian wight thon dost conceal, And I will spit and burn thee, Dame, Unless the truth thou dost reveal.”

Then Ellenlile her mantle donned, And went and stood by Rosmer’s knee: “O here’s a swain from Iceland come, And he’s of nearest kin to me.”

p. 28“If there’s a swain from Iceland come, And if he be thy kinsman near, Then I to him will safety pledge, No harm from me he need to fear.”

p. 28

When he two years in the sea had been, Young Roland he would fain be gone; For Ellenlile was now with child, A deed of folly had been done.

When that perceived proud Ellenlile, Near Rosmer King she took her stand: “Now wilt thou give the stranger lad Leave to return to his own land?”

“And if the swain for home doth long, Then I will take him to the shore; And I will give him silver and gold, And in a coffer it 

 Prev. P 8/9 next