children are come, Who had been so long away.

p. 23THE WICKED-STEPMOTHER

p. 23

No. II. [23]

Sir Peter o’er to the island strayed—  All underneath a linden wide. He weds Mettelil, so fair a maid—  In such peril with her through the forest ride.

Bracelets of gold he given her hath, That fills his mother’s breast with wrath.

“If thou wed a maid against my desire, With her first babe she shall expire!”

He weds her and home he her has ta’en, To meet her his mother will not deign.

p. 24When they together a year had dwelt, Herself with child proud Mettelil felt.

p. 24

Out and in they Mettelil bear, Death has to her approached so near.

“Since neither live nor die I may, Take me whence a maid ye brought me away.”

Thereto the Stepmother made reply, She was tow’rds her disposed maliciously:

“The horses graze upon the mead, And the coach swains heavy they sleep in bed.”

Sir Peter he stood a little apart, Mettelil has so grieved his heart.

The coach to her country was turned in haste, And the horses before it were quickly placed.

And when they came to the verdant moor, Her chariot broke into pieces four.

“What mighty crime can I have done, That my own coach ’neath me will not run?”

p. 25Sir Peter at no great distance hied, He was so near he all espied.

p. 25

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