The Dalby Bear, and Other Ballads

In such peril through the forest they ride.

She drew her blue mantle o’er her head,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
And unto her mother’s bower she sped.
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“From thy heart, dear mother, all sorrow chase,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
And thy grand-babes take to thy embrace.”
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“O I had thought with my bunch of keys,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
To overturn her bliss with ease.
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“I thought I’d bewitch’d each inch of land,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
Save the spot alone where her chest doth stand.”
In such peril through the forest they ride.

No sooner was Thorelil thither convey’d,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
Than of two fair sons she light was made.
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“O God grant me so long to breathe,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
That parting presents I may bequeath.
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“Stig’s mother, I give her my sarke to wear,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
May she use it like me with grief and care!
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“To his sister I give my embroider’d shoe,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
To wear with glee unmixt with woe.
In such peril through the forest they ride.

“A lovely rose is my last bequest,
All underneath a green hill’s side,
For Stig to wed, and with her be blest.”
In such peril through the forest they ride.

* * * * *

notes

1

She taunts him with the idea of his becoming a monk, and going about with a sack begging for alms.