To saddle his courser Ranild cried:
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
"To visit the rich Greve I will ride,
Though banish'd from the land we be."
To the house came Ranild spurring hard,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
There stood the Greve arrayed in mard,
Though banish'd from the land we be.
"Hail, hail, Sir Greve, arrayed so fine!
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
I want my bride, the little Kirstine,
Though banish'd from the land I be."
Then up and spoke her mother dear:
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
"Thou hast no bride, Sir Ranild, here,
For banish'd from the land ye be."
"O if I can't my little bride get,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
On fire your house and your gear I'll set,
Though banish'd from the land I be."
"O rather than ruin us in thy wrath,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
Receive thy bride and ride thy path,
Though banish'd from the land ye be."
They o'er her threw the blue cloak with speed,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
And placed her upon Sir Ranild's steed,
Though banish'd from the land he be.
They had for their bridal bed alone,
_For thus the tale was told to ne_--
The holt, the field, and the mead new mown,
For banish'd from the land they be.
"The forest can hear, and the mead can view,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
We here must live as outlaws do,
For banish'd from the land we be."
"Hadst thou not helped the King to slay,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
In peace at home we now might stay,
But banish'd from the land we be."
He struck her a blow the table o'er,
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
"Should'st guard thy tongue, child, guests before,
Though banish'd from the land we be."
He struck her on her face so fair:
_For thus the tale was told to me_--
"In Erik's death I had no share,
Though banished from the land I be."