George Borrow

“ This night at thy couch will Rigissa be found.
“And e’en shouldst thou ride to the earth’s farthest land,
This night by thy couch she will certainly stand.
“But, Child Stig, I advise thee, call up a good heart,
And home to thy bed and thy slumbers depart.
“She’ll tap on the door of thy chamber, I ween,
But still do thou keep, let her in by no mean.
“But ten fingers has she, so tiny and small,
And with them from the door she will pick the nails all.
“She will set herself down on the side of thy bed,
And play with the long yellow locks of thy head. ”

“ For his beloved Lady Child Stig the maid took.
Child Stig he brews ale, and the wine doth prepare,
He the Dane King invites to his castle so fair.
The King and his gallant men all biddeth he,
And the Queen of the Danes of the party should be.
Outspake the fair Queen, on her steed as she rode:
“Methinks I behold of Child Stig the abode.”
And thereto the page at her bridle replied:
“Of Stig the brave castle is known far and wide.
“Within with the richest of gold it is graced,
Without with white silver ’tis all over cased.” ”

“ Straight and slim as a sapling Child Stig dances up,
In each hand holding a fair silver cup.
Child Stig to the health of his bonny bride quaffed,
And forest and meadow delightedly laughed.
The forest it bloomed, the boughs leaves put forth—
She excels every damsel in beauty and worth.
Late in the evening the mist it descends,
Child Stig his young bride to her chamber attends.
p. 26Now gallant Child Stig has o’ercome his distress,
He sleeps in the arm of a lovely princess.
And Damsel Rigissa is free from her fright,
By the side of Child Stig she reposes each night. ”