Kitabı oku: «Signelil, A Tale from the Cornish, and Other Ballads», sayfa 4

 
Together with their comrade true,
Far as Kuz carn na Huila went,
And thence their ways lay different.
Now though the merchants earnest were
That John should with them home repair,
He steadfastly refused their plea,
Longing his wife and home to see.
 
 
When of the merchants he lost sight
He lounged away his time till night.
He’d fain know whether, while he roved
Abroad, his consort faithful proved.
 
 
Arrived, he listened at the door,
And heard a man’s voice, he was sure,
Within the bed; his knife he drew,
Resolved to slay the guilty two.
But soon remembering the advice,
“Ere striking once, bethink thee twice,”
In hurry from the door he strode,
But soon returning knocked aloud.
 
 
“In name of God, who’s there?” she cried;
“’Tis I am here, wife,” John replied.
(“Now in the name of blest Marie,
Whom heard I in her company?”)
“If John thou art, pray enter free.”
“First bring the light here,” answered he.
’Twas brought, he stepped the threshold o’er.
Quoth he: “On coming to the door
I heard a man’s voice in the bed.”
“Ah, Johnny, when away you sped
In distant parts for work to roam,
I then with child was three months gone;
In bed there lies a comely boy,
Unto us both he’ll be a joy.”
 
 
Said John, “I’ve something to disclose.
My master, when I left his house,
Gave me this cake I have in hand,
And with it gave the strict command
When I with thee should merry make
Then and not till then it to break.
I’ll now accomplish what he bade,
Mayhap we’ve wherefor to be glad.”
 
 
They broke the cake in anxious haste,
The nine pounds in it, lo! were placed.
They took the money, ate the bread,
And I for truth have heard it said
No quarrel e’er or noisy word
’Twixt them from that time forth occurr’d.
 
 
   Now, Gentles all, my tale is done,
I hope it has your favour won!
 

SIR VERNER AND DAME INGEBORG

 
         In Linholm’s house
The swains they were drinking and making carouse.
   The Dames ne’er could so gallant a prisoner keep in.
 
 
The swains they drank deep and they made themselves gay,
And so did Sir Verner in prison that lay.
 
 
Dame Ingeborg woke, and she lifts up her eyes:
“O, which of my maidens doth sing in that guise?”
 
 
“O, none of your maidens can sing in such guise,
’Tis Sir Verner who’s singing, in durance he lies.”
 
 
Dame Ingeborg straightway two servants addressed:
“To come to my presence Sir Verner request.”
 
 
In through the portal Sir Verner he strode,
And up to receive him Dame Ingeborg stood.
 
 
To the cushion Dame Ingeborg points with a smile:
“Go thither, Sir Verner, and rest thee awhile.
 
 
“Now hark thou, Sir Verner, what I to thee say:
I beg thou wilt sing me a pretty love lay.”
 
 
“A love lay I’ve never learnt up to this hour,
But I’ll sing to oblige thee the best in my power.”
 
 
Sir Verner began, and he sang such a lay,
That soon in deep slumber Dame Ingeborg lay.
 
 
The Dames and the maids fell to sleep and to doze,