blest.” p. 23 Then in through the door little Kirsten she wends, And his white hand to her the bold monarch tends. Then unto her brother she gives her fair hand: “ I joy much to see thee returned to the land.” Much favour and friendship to her he display’d And that Queen Sophia so furious made. The king to the brim filled a beaker with wine: “I beg of thee drink to me, dear sister mine!” “Now hear, little Kirsten, what I to thee say, Thou shalt sing before me some pretty love-lay.” “I never in all my life learnt a love-lay, But I’ll sing another as well as I may.” p. 24“O thou with thy dancing, and eke with thy voice, The hearts of my guests shalt this evening rejoice.” p. 24 To sing then a song little Kirsten began, To the tune danced so many a bold knightly man. The King himself sprang ’mid the dancers’ gay band, And his sister he took by the lilly-fair hand. He out and in with her eagerly danced, But nothing amiss in her movements he glanced. So often the King proved the voice of the maid, And still to her gait more attention he paid. And the King measured her by the girdle with care, But still he of nothing amiss was aware. “O Sophia, may thee shame and evil betide, My dear little Kirsten thou’st foully belied.” p. 25“It is the Lord’s truth that I’ve told, and no lie, She has brought forth a daughter in secrecy.” p. 25 The Queen has yet worse little Kirsten distrest, Her two lovely breasts she tore out from her vest. And, craving her ruin, with hand resolute She pressed out the milk before Valdemar’s foot.
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