With prayers late and early the maiden he tired, But could not obtain from her what he desired.

“Sir Buris, why seekest thou me to betray? To my brother for this thou must answer some day.”

p. 16With ghastly white cheek did Sir Buris depart, The maiden he loved from the depths of his heart.

p. 16

Sir Buris flung on him his scarlet array, And unto Sophia with speed took his way:

“The princess so firm and determined I find, No knight in this world can e’er conquer her mind.”

“A pretty man, thou, to take love-work in hand, If the powerful Runes thou dost not understand.”

“To the paths of fidelity I will return, No wish do I feel your Rune-magic to learn.

King Valdemar left his domain to my care, Shall I in return his dear sister ensnare?”

“O I will for thee the Rune-characters trace, And thou them shalt cast in convenient place.”

p. 17“Sir Buris has cast the Rune-letters, alas, On the bridge over which little Kirsten should pass.

p. 17

Little Kirsten with anguish was filled, and with care, Must spite of herself to Sir Buris repair.

She knocked with her hand on the thick oaken door: “Sir Buris, arise, let me into thy bower.”

Upstood then Sir Buris, in scarlet array’d, And straight he admitted the beautiful maid.

The whole night she lay in Sir Buris’ embrace, All to her own sorrow and daily distress.

Now on towards summer and autumn it drew, So stout in the waist little Kirsten she grew.

Her true waiting maid little Kirsten address’d: “To the chamber of stone now convey me in haste.

p. 18And there unto me do thou bring the mid-wife But let not the Queen know thereof for thy life.”

p. 18

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