Part 25 (1/2)
_O well were I from the World away._
He took me up, and bare me home To the house that was his own, And there bode I so long with him That I was his love alone.
_O well were I from the World away._
But the very first night we lay abed Befell his sorrow and harm, That thither came the King's ill men, And slew him on mine arm.
_O well were I from the World away._
There slew they Adalbright the King, Two of his swains slew they, But the third sailed swiftly from the land Sithence I saw him never a day.
_O well were I from the World away._
O wavering hope of this world's bliss, How shall men trow in thee?
My Grove of Gems is gone away For mine eyes no more to see!
_O well were I from the World away._
Each hour the while my life shall last Remembereth him alone, Such heavy sorrow have I got From our meeting long agone.
_O well were I from the World away._
O, early in the morning-tide Men cry: ”Christine the fair, Art thou well content with that true love Thou sittest loving there?”
_O well were I from the World away._
”Ah, yea, so well I love him, And so dear my love shall be, That the very G.o.d of Heaven aloft Wors.h.i.+ppeth him and me.
_O well were I from the World away._
”Ah, all the red gold I have got Well would I give to-day, Only for this and nothing else From the world to win away.”
_O well were I from the World away._
”Nay, midst all folk upon the earth Keep thou thy ruddy gold, And love withal the mighty lord That wedded thee of old.”
_O well were I from the World away._
HILDEBRAND AND h.e.l.lELIL
TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH
h.e.l.lelil sitteth in bower there, _None knows my grief but G.o.d alone,_ And seweth at the seam so fair, _I never wail my sorrow to any other one._
But there whereas the gold should be With silk upon the cloth sewed she.
Where she should sew with silken thread The gold upon the cloth she laid.
So to the Queen the word came in That h.e.l.lelil wild work doth win.
Then did the Queen do furs on her And went to h.e.l.lelil the fair.