“ But at length up and down in the palace she strayed,
Her colour and hair began swiftly to fade.
What eye has seen ever so wondrous a case?
The boy his own spurs to his heel cannot brace.
p. 21The horse-boy is brought to so wondrous a plight,
To draw his own weapon he has not the might.
The son of the King to five damsels now sends,
And Ingeborg fair to their care he commends. ”

“ And thou ’neath the linen shalt sleep by my side.”
p. 20Three years in the palace good service she wrought,
That she was a woman no one ever thought.
She filled for three years of a horse-boy the place,
And the steeds of the monarch she drove out to graze.
She led for three years the King’s steeds to the brook,
For else than a youth no one Ingeborg took.
Proud Ingeborg knows how to make the dames gay,
She also can sing in such ravishing way. ”

“ Upon the blue cushions they Ingeborg laid,
Where light of two beautiful sons she is made.
Then in came the prince, smiled the babies to view:
“’Tis not every horse-boy can bear such a two.”
He patted her soft on her cheek sleek and fair:
“Forget my heart’s dearest all sorrow and care.”
He placed the gold crown on her temples I ween:
“With me shalt thou live as my wife and my Queen.”
p. 22SONG
I’ve pleasure not a little
A dancing youth to see,
Nor less—one single tittle—
An old man full of glee.
To dance I ever glory
With those of youthful mien ”