+The Text+ is given from the Jamieson-Brown MS. It was first printed by
Scott, with the omission of the second stanza--perhaps justifiable--and
a few minor changes. He notes that he had seen a copy printed on a
single sheet.
+The Story+ has a remote parallel in a Danish ballad, extant in
manuscripts of the sixteenth century and later, _Den afhugne Haand_. The
tale is told as follows. Lutzelil, knowing the evil ways of Lawi
Pederson, rejects his proffered love. Lawi vows she shall repent it, and
the maiden is afraid for nine months to go to church, but goes at
Easter. Lawi meets her in a wood, and repeats his offer. She begs him to
do her no harm, feigns compliance, and makes an assignation in the
chamber of her maids. She returns home and tells her father, who watches
for Lawi. When he comes and demands admission, she denies the
assignation. Lawi breaks down the door, and discovers Lutzelil's father
with a drawn sword, with which he cuts off Lawi's hand.
The reason for objecting to the second stanza as here given is not so
much the inadequacy of a golden hammer, or the unusual whiteness of the
smith's fingers, but the rhyme in the third line.