XXVIII, XXIXLOVEL AND JOHNTYGE HERMANDSSON
Jovial Ballads, these, of the Young Lochinvar type, where the too tardy bridegroom wins the verdict “Serve him right!” (In the former, I have made free with the name of Sir Lave, turning it into Lovel.) Thesvalegangplays its part in the story, since it is along this open gallery-stair that Sir John lights the bride to her bower. The Burden is handled with singular skill; the concluding line in verses 2, 3, and 4 forms no part of the dialogue, but is an aside spoken by the poet.
“Gallant knight” in “Tyge Hermandsson,” v. 21, is literally “lady’s swain” (Jomfrusvend)—squire of dames, first in love as in war.
Lo now, I bid you, my merry men all,Put your armour on![3]Bind on your helms of the burning gold,And follow Sir John!1Sir Peter home from the Thing did fare,(Put your armour on)Forth came little Kirsten to meet him there,And ask after John.2“Welcome, dear father, home from the Thing!(Put your armour on)Tell me what tidings hast thou to bring?”What news of Sir John?3“These are the tidings I have for thee,(Put your armour on)That young Sir Lovel thy bridegroom shall be.”And not Sir John.4“If young Sir Lovel my bridegroom shall be,(Put your armour on)Sorrow and care shall he have with me!”While he lives, Sir John.5Sir Lovel to bridal-feast doth speed,(Put your armour on)Sir John hath bidden them shoe his steed.“I go with him,” said John.6Sir John he rode to the blithe bridàle,(Put your armour on)High on his horse in his coat of mail.“I come!” said John.7When the dew fell fast and the eve was sped,(Put your armour on)The bride must go to the bridal-bed.“I go thither!” said John.8They led the bride to the bridal-bower,(Put your armour on)Sir John he carried the torch before.“I first,” said John.9Sir John he locked the door aright:(Put your armour on)“Now bid Sir Lovel a gay good-night!”All from Sir John.10Straight to Sir Lovel the news they cried:(Put your armour on)“Sir John he sleeps with thy fair young bride!”That did Sir John.11Now when the day was dawning there(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel forth to the king did fare.“I go with him!” said John.12“My gracious lord, now hark and heed!(Put your armour on)A plaint have I that craves for rede.”“’Tis of me,” said John.13“A fair young bride I thought to wed,(Put your armour on)But another knight took the bride instead!”“That was I,” said John.14“And if ye both hold the maid so dear,(Put your armour on)Now for her sake ye shall break a spear.”“I shall win!” said John.15The first of the courses they rode so free,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s horse fell on his knee.“Hold up!” said John.16And when they rode to the joust again,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s neck was broken in twain.“Lie there!” said John.17She clapped her hands, the dainty dame:(Put your armour on)“Ne’er did I see so fair a game!”Thus he won, Sir John.—Bind on your helmets of burning gold,And follow Sir John!
Lo now, I bid you, my merry men all,Put your armour on![3]Bind on your helms of the burning gold,And follow Sir John!1Sir Peter home from the Thing did fare,(Put your armour on)Forth came little Kirsten to meet him there,And ask after John.2“Welcome, dear father, home from the Thing!(Put your armour on)Tell me what tidings hast thou to bring?”What news of Sir John?3“These are the tidings I have for thee,(Put your armour on)That young Sir Lovel thy bridegroom shall be.”And not Sir John.4“If young Sir Lovel my bridegroom shall be,(Put your armour on)Sorrow and care shall he have with me!”While he lives, Sir John.5Sir Lovel to bridal-feast doth speed,(Put your armour on)Sir John hath bidden them shoe his steed.“I go with him,” said John.6Sir John he rode to the blithe bridàle,(Put your armour on)High on his horse in his coat of mail.“I come!” said John.7When the dew fell fast and the eve was sped,(Put your armour on)The bride must go to the bridal-bed.“I go thither!” said John.8They led the bride to the bridal-bower,(Put your armour on)Sir John he carried the torch before.“I first,” said John.9Sir John he locked the door aright:(Put your armour on)“Now bid Sir Lovel a gay good-night!”All from Sir John.10Straight to Sir Lovel the news they cried:(Put your armour on)“Sir John he sleeps with thy fair young bride!”That did Sir John.11Now when the day was dawning there(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel forth to the king did fare.“I go with him!” said John.12“My gracious lord, now hark and heed!(Put your armour on)A plaint have I that craves for rede.”“’Tis of me,” said John.13“A fair young bride I thought to wed,(Put your armour on)But another knight took the bride instead!”“That was I,” said John.14“And if ye both hold the maid so dear,(Put your armour on)Now for her sake ye shall break a spear.”“I shall win!” said John.15The first of the courses they rode so free,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s horse fell on his knee.“Hold up!” said John.16And when they rode to the joust again,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s neck was broken in twain.“Lie there!” said John.17She clapped her hands, the dainty dame:(Put your armour on)“Ne’er did I see so fair a game!”Thus he won, Sir John.—Bind on your helmets of burning gold,And follow Sir John!
Lo now, I bid you, my merry men all,Put your armour on![3]Bind on your helms of the burning gold,And follow Sir John!
Lo now, I bid you, my merry men all,
Put your armour on![3]
Bind on your helms of the burning gold,
And follow Sir John!
1Sir Peter home from the Thing did fare,(Put your armour on)Forth came little Kirsten to meet him there,And ask after John.
1
Sir Peter home from the Thing did fare,
(Put your armour on)
Forth came little Kirsten to meet him there,
And ask after John.
2“Welcome, dear father, home from the Thing!(Put your armour on)Tell me what tidings hast thou to bring?”What news of Sir John?
2
“Welcome, dear father, home from the Thing!
(Put your armour on)
Tell me what tidings hast thou to bring?”
What news of Sir John?
3“These are the tidings I have for thee,(Put your armour on)That young Sir Lovel thy bridegroom shall be.”And not Sir John.
3
“These are the tidings I have for thee,
(Put your armour on)
That young Sir Lovel thy bridegroom shall be.”
And not Sir John.
4“If young Sir Lovel my bridegroom shall be,(Put your armour on)Sorrow and care shall he have with me!”While he lives, Sir John.
4
“If young Sir Lovel my bridegroom shall be,
(Put your armour on)
Sorrow and care shall he have with me!”
While he lives, Sir John.
5Sir Lovel to bridal-feast doth speed,(Put your armour on)Sir John hath bidden them shoe his steed.“I go with him,” said John.
5
Sir Lovel to bridal-feast doth speed,
(Put your armour on)
Sir John hath bidden them shoe his steed.
“I go with him,” said John.
6Sir John he rode to the blithe bridàle,(Put your armour on)High on his horse in his coat of mail.“I come!” said John.
6
Sir John he rode to the blithe bridàle,
(Put your armour on)
High on his horse in his coat of mail.
“I come!” said John.
7When the dew fell fast and the eve was sped,(Put your armour on)The bride must go to the bridal-bed.“I go thither!” said John.
7
When the dew fell fast and the eve was sped,
(Put your armour on)
The bride must go to the bridal-bed.
“I go thither!” said John.
8They led the bride to the bridal-bower,(Put your armour on)Sir John he carried the torch before.“I first,” said John.
8
They led the bride to the bridal-bower,
(Put your armour on)
Sir John he carried the torch before.
“I first,” said John.
9Sir John he locked the door aright:(Put your armour on)“Now bid Sir Lovel a gay good-night!”All from Sir John.
9
Sir John he locked the door aright:
(Put your armour on)
“Now bid Sir Lovel a gay good-night!”
All from Sir John.
10Straight to Sir Lovel the news they cried:(Put your armour on)“Sir John he sleeps with thy fair young bride!”That did Sir John.
10
Straight to Sir Lovel the news they cried:
(Put your armour on)
“Sir John he sleeps with thy fair young bride!”
That did Sir John.
11Now when the day was dawning there(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel forth to the king did fare.“I go with him!” said John.
11
Now when the day was dawning there
(Put your armour on)
Sir Lovel forth to the king did fare.
“I go with him!” said John.
12“My gracious lord, now hark and heed!(Put your armour on)A plaint have I that craves for rede.”“’Tis of me,” said John.
12
“My gracious lord, now hark and heed!
(Put your armour on)
A plaint have I that craves for rede.”
“’Tis of me,” said John.
13“A fair young bride I thought to wed,(Put your armour on)But another knight took the bride instead!”“That was I,” said John.
13
“A fair young bride I thought to wed,
(Put your armour on)
But another knight took the bride instead!”
“That was I,” said John.
14“And if ye both hold the maid so dear,(Put your armour on)Now for her sake ye shall break a spear.”“I shall win!” said John.
14
“And if ye both hold the maid so dear,
(Put your armour on)
Now for her sake ye shall break a spear.”
“I shall win!” said John.
15The first of the courses they rode so free,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s horse fell on his knee.“Hold up!” said John.
15
The first of the courses they rode so free,
(Put your armour on)
Sir Lovel’s horse fell on his knee.
“Hold up!” said John.
16And when they rode to the joust again,(Put your armour on)Sir Lovel’s neck was broken in twain.“Lie there!” said John.
16
And when they rode to the joust again,
(Put your armour on)
Sir Lovel’s neck was broken in twain.
“Lie there!” said John.
17She clapped her hands, the dainty dame:(Put your armour on)“Ne’er did I see so fair a game!”Thus he won, Sir John.—Bind on your helmets of burning gold,And follow Sir John!
17
She clapped her hands, the dainty dame:
(Put your armour on)
“Ne’er did I see so fair a game!”
Thus he won, Sir John.
—Bind on your helmets of burning gold,
And follow Sir John!
[3]Lit: Be ye well boun! (I være vel bon.)
[3]Lit: Be ye well boun! (I være vel bon.)
[3]Lit: Be ye well boun! (I være vel bon.)
1All on a Saturday morning it rained both far and wide,And it was Tyge Hermandsson that should fetch home his bride.—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.2The knight looked forth from the window, the burn it ran so high:“My bride is not so dear to me that I for her should die!3“Now harken, Nilaus Bendiktsson, long-leggèd is thy steed!Fetch home my bride for love of God, and help me in my need!”4Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake a word so free:“And if I fetch thee home thy bride, be sure I’ll cozen thee!”5It was Nilaus Bendiktsson that rode the bride to meet,Silk and samite floated about his horse’s feet.6His swains were clothed in samite, with owches of gold beside;Unto the kirk they’ve ridden, all with the fair young bride.7The bride she stood at kirkyard gate, red as a rose in bloom;She looked out over the water: “And where is the bonny groom?”8Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake right joyfully:“He dared not cross the burn to-day, for the water ran so high!”9All on the bridal-bench the bride right modestly she sate,They looked out over the water: “The bridegroom tarries late!”10They poured in cups of silver the mead and wine so red;All in the evening early the bride must seek her bed.11They led her in, the fair young bride, all to her chamber door,Forth went knights and pages to bear the torch before.12Oh, they laid her in the bridal-bed, and she was a dainty dame.She tarried there three hours and more, and ne’er a bridegroom came.13The priests they stood by the bridal-bed, and sang as best they mote;“Now who shall sleep beside our bride, since the bridegroom cometh not?”14Up stood Nilaus Bendiktsson, cast off his silver shoon:“Now I will plight her faith and troth and sleep by her eftsoon!”15I wot their heart were merry as they pledged the bonny bride,All save Tyge Hermandsson, dared not the water ride.16Now on the Wednesday after the flood began to fall;Over came Tyge Hermandsson, but and his followers all.17It was Tyge Hermandsson did to the castle fare,She stood without, the bonny bride, wrapped all in cloak of vair.18Oh, high she held her head, I wis, and spake with haughty cheer:“Away with thee, Tyge Hermandsson, no welcome hast thou here!”19“Now lithe and listen, proud Liselil, this blame I have for thee,Hast plighted troth with another man, so hast thou cozened me!”20“Harken, Tyge Hermandsson, this word I tell thee plain,Never, ah, never I’ll wed the man dares not ride out in the rain!21“Now hadst thou been a gallant knight, and pledged a lady word,Thou wouldst have braved the billows blue all with thy naked sword!”22“Oh, I will enter a cloister, and learn the monkish lore!But know, thou haughty Liselil, thou’lt see my face no more!”23“Oh, go thy ways where’er thou wilt, let all thy prating be!For had I bread and cheese for two, there should be none for thee!”—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.
1All on a Saturday morning it rained both far and wide,And it was Tyge Hermandsson that should fetch home his bride.—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.2The knight looked forth from the window, the burn it ran so high:“My bride is not so dear to me that I for her should die!3“Now harken, Nilaus Bendiktsson, long-leggèd is thy steed!Fetch home my bride for love of God, and help me in my need!”4Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake a word so free:“And if I fetch thee home thy bride, be sure I’ll cozen thee!”5It was Nilaus Bendiktsson that rode the bride to meet,Silk and samite floated about his horse’s feet.6His swains were clothed in samite, with owches of gold beside;Unto the kirk they’ve ridden, all with the fair young bride.7The bride she stood at kirkyard gate, red as a rose in bloom;She looked out over the water: “And where is the bonny groom?”8Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake right joyfully:“He dared not cross the burn to-day, for the water ran so high!”9All on the bridal-bench the bride right modestly she sate,They looked out over the water: “The bridegroom tarries late!”10They poured in cups of silver the mead and wine so red;All in the evening early the bride must seek her bed.11They led her in, the fair young bride, all to her chamber door,Forth went knights and pages to bear the torch before.12Oh, they laid her in the bridal-bed, and she was a dainty dame.She tarried there three hours and more, and ne’er a bridegroom came.13The priests they stood by the bridal-bed, and sang as best they mote;“Now who shall sleep beside our bride, since the bridegroom cometh not?”14Up stood Nilaus Bendiktsson, cast off his silver shoon:“Now I will plight her faith and troth and sleep by her eftsoon!”15I wot their heart were merry as they pledged the bonny bride,All save Tyge Hermandsson, dared not the water ride.16Now on the Wednesday after the flood began to fall;Over came Tyge Hermandsson, but and his followers all.17It was Tyge Hermandsson did to the castle fare,She stood without, the bonny bride, wrapped all in cloak of vair.18Oh, high she held her head, I wis, and spake with haughty cheer:“Away with thee, Tyge Hermandsson, no welcome hast thou here!”19“Now lithe and listen, proud Liselil, this blame I have for thee,Hast plighted troth with another man, so hast thou cozened me!”20“Harken, Tyge Hermandsson, this word I tell thee plain,Never, ah, never I’ll wed the man dares not ride out in the rain!21“Now hadst thou been a gallant knight, and pledged a lady word,Thou wouldst have braved the billows blue all with thy naked sword!”22“Oh, I will enter a cloister, and learn the monkish lore!But know, thou haughty Liselil, thou’lt see my face no more!”23“Oh, go thy ways where’er thou wilt, let all thy prating be!For had I bread and cheese for two, there should be none for thee!”—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.
1All on a Saturday morning it rained both far and wide,And it was Tyge Hermandsson that should fetch home his bride.—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.
1
All on a Saturday morning it rained both far and wide,
And it was Tyge Hermandsson that should fetch home his bride.
—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.
2The knight looked forth from the window, the burn it ran so high:“My bride is not so dear to me that I for her should die!
2
The knight looked forth from the window, the burn it ran so high:
“My bride is not so dear to me that I for her should die!
3“Now harken, Nilaus Bendiktsson, long-leggèd is thy steed!Fetch home my bride for love of God, and help me in my need!”
3
“Now harken, Nilaus Bendiktsson, long-leggèd is thy steed!
Fetch home my bride for love of God, and help me in my need!”
4Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake a word so free:“And if I fetch thee home thy bride, be sure I’ll cozen thee!”
4
Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake a word so free:
“And if I fetch thee home thy bride, be sure I’ll cozen thee!”
5It was Nilaus Bendiktsson that rode the bride to meet,Silk and samite floated about his horse’s feet.
5
It was Nilaus Bendiktsson that rode the bride to meet,
Silk and samite floated about his horse’s feet.
6His swains were clothed in samite, with owches of gold beside;Unto the kirk they’ve ridden, all with the fair young bride.
6
His swains were clothed in samite, with owches of gold beside;
Unto the kirk they’ve ridden, all with the fair young bride.
7The bride she stood at kirkyard gate, red as a rose in bloom;She looked out over the water: “And where is the bonny groom?”
7
The bride she stood at kirkyard gate, red as a rose in bloom;
She looked out over the water: “And where is the bonny groom?”
8Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake right joyfully:“He dared not cross the burn to-day, for the water ran so high!”
8
Up spake Nilaus Bendiktsson, he spake right joyfully:
“He dared not cross the burn to-day, for the water ran so high!”
9All on the bridal-bench the bride right modestly she sate,They looked out over the water: “The bridegroom tarries late!”
9
All on the bridal-bench the bride right modestly she sate,
They looked out over the water: “The bridegroom tarries late!”
10They poured in cups of silver the mead and wine so red;All in the evening early the bride must seek her bed.
10
They poured in cups of silver the mead and wine so red;
All in the evening early the bride must seek her bed.
11They led her in, the fair young bride, all to her chamber door,Forth went knights and pages to bear the torch before.
11
They led her in, the fair young bride, all to her chamber door,
Forth went knights and pages to bear the torch before.
12Oh, they laid her in the bridal-bed, and she was a dainty dame.She tarried there three hours and more, and ne’er a bridegroom came.
12
Oh, they laid her in the bridal-bed, and she was a dainty dame.
She tarried there three hours and more, and ne’er a bridegroom came.
13The priests they stood by the bridal-bed, and sang as best they mote;“Now who shall sleep beside our bride, since the bridegroom cometh not?”
13
The priests they stood by the bridal-bed, and sang as best they mote;
“Now who shall sleep beside our bride, since the bridegroom cometh not?”
14Up stood Nilaus Bendiktsson, cast off his silver shoon:“Now I will plight her faith and troth and sleep by her eftsoon!”
14
Up stood Nilaus Bendiktsson, cast off his silver shoon:
“Now I will plight her faith and troth and sleep by her eftsoon!”
15I wot their heart were merry as they pledged the bonny bride,All save Tyge Hermandsson, dared not the water ride.
15
I wot their heart were merry as they pledged the bonny bride,
All save Tyge Hermandsson, dared not the water ride.
16Now on the Wednesday after the flood began to fall;Over came Tyge Hermandsson, but and his followers all.
16
Now on the Wednesday after the flood began to fall;
Over came Tyge Hermandsson, but and his followers all.
17It was Tyge Hermandsson did to the castle fare,She stood without, the bonny bride, wrapped all in cloak of vair.
17
It was Tyge Hermandsson did to the castle fare,
She stood without, the bonny bride, wrapped all in cloak of vair.
18Oh, high she held her head, I wis, and spake with haughty cheer:“Away with thee, Tyge Hermandsson, no welcome hast thou here!”
18
Oh, high she held her head, I wis, and spake with haughty cheer:
“Away with thee, Tyge Hermandsson, no welcome hast thou here!”
19“Now lithe and listen, proud Liselil, this blame I have for thee,Hast plighted troth with another man, so hast thou cozened me!”
19
“Now lithe and listen, proud Liselil, this blame I have for thee,
Hast plighted troth with another man, so hast thou cozened me!”
20“Harken, Tyge Hermandsson, this word I tell thee plain,Never, ah, never I’ll wed the man dares not ride out in the rain!
20
“Harken, Tyge Hermandsson, this word I tell thee plain,
Never, ah, never I’ll wed the man dares not ride out in the rain!
21“Now hadst thou been a gallant knight, and pledged a lady word,Thou wouldst have braved the billows blue all with thy naked sword!”
21
“Now hadst thou been a gallant knight, and pledged a lady word,
Thou wouldst have braved the billows blue all with thy naked sword!”
22“Oh, I will enter a cloister, and learn the monkish lore!But know, thou haughty Liselil, thou’lt see my face no more!”
22
“Oh, I will enter a cloister, and learn the monkish lore!
But know, thou haughty Liselil, thou’lt see my face no more!”
23“Oh, go thy ways where’er thou wilt, let all thy prating be!For had I bread and cheese for two, there should be none for thee!”—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.
23
“Oh, go thy ways where’er thou wilt, let all thy prating be!
For had I bread and cheese for two, there should be none for thee!”
—I will ride forth to seek for a fair one.