Ravngard and Memering
1.
The Dame Gunild, she dwells in Spire,
And her the great and rich admire,
The Dame Gunild.
2.
To woo her suitors come from South
In rich array and prime of youth,
To Dame Gunild.
3.
To woo her suitors come from West,
The wealthiest, bravest and the best,
To Dame Gunild.
4.
To woo her suitors come from North,
Men of well-earn'd renown and worth,
To Dame Gunild.
5.
To woo her suitors come from East,
For wealth and bravery not the least,
To Dame Gunild.
6.
To woo her too Duke Henry came,
And fate decreed them woe and shame.
The Dame Gunild.
7.
He woo'd and brought her home for wife;
Behind them followed storm and strife,
The Dame Gunild.
8.
The Duke to war must march away,
And her to guard bade Ravngard stay,
The Dame Gunild.
9.
" Of Brunswick, Sleswick, Spire take care,
But chiefly watch my consort dear,
The Dame Gunild. "
10.
As steer'd the Duke his ship from land,
Rode Ravngard off along the strand,
To Dame Gunild.
11.
He round him wrapp'd his scarlet cloak,
And up to the lady went and spoke,
To Dame Gunild.
12.
" Hear now, I pray, my lord's last word,
And fetch me Adelring, his sword,
My Dame Gunild. "
13.
" No such behest gave me the Duke,
When lately leave from me he took. "
Said Dame Gunild.
14.
" Unless you give me Adelring,
A charge against you I shall bring,
My Dame Gunild. "
15
" Lie as thou wilt, on thee the shame,
For God will prove me free from blame. "
Said Dame Gunild.
16.
The Duke from war march'd home again,
And Ravngard met the glittering train;
From Dame Gunild.
17.
" How has it fared with Spire this year?
And how is she, my wife so dear,
The Dame Gunild? "
18.
" Your land is in its wonted state,
But ill has lived your wife of late,
The Dame Gunild. "
19.
" Ravngard, thy charge I deem untrue,
For faithlessness I never knew
In Dame Gunild. "
20.
" 'Tis what myself have seen with pain,
Gunild has with th' Archbishop lain,
The Dame Gunild. "
21.
" I'll smite her down with heavy hand,
And none shall dare my wroth withstand,
Her, Dame Gunild. "
22.
The Duke his scarlet mantle hent,
And up to his consort's chamber went,
To Dame Gunild.
23.
Gunild, as near her door he drew,
Rose up to show him honour due;
The Dame Gunild.
24.
" Welcome my noble Lord again!
How fared you in your late campaign? "
Said Dame Gunild.
25.
" Most lucky had I deem'd this year,
Such deeds of thee did I not hear,
My Dame Gunild. "
26.
" My gracious lord, oh, say not so;
Of wrong or crime I nothing know. "
Said Dame Gunild.
27.
" It little boots to plead or feign,
For with th' Archbishop thou hast lain,
My Dame Gunild. "
28.
With ruthless hand he dealt the blows,
Nor one to help his lady rose,
The Dame Gunild.
29.
None but two courtly dames would dare
To pray the Duke her life to spare,
The Dame Gunild's.
30.
" My lord, be not this charge believ'd;
With lying tale you've been deceiv'd
Of Dame Gunild. "
31.
" Let her then seek her out a knight,
Who does a joust with Ravngard fight,
The Dame Gunild. "
32.
Bare, head and foot, her garments rent,
From out her door in sorrow went
The Dame Gunild.
33.
With tears she sought the banquet hall,
Where sat and drank the champions all,
The Dame Gunild.
34.
Those knights, as towards the door she drew,
Stood up to show her honour due,
To Dame Gunild.
35.
" Is here within a gallant knight,
Will for an injured lady fight,
For Dame Gunild? "
36.
Her cause would no one undertake,
Mute all, till Memering rose and spake,
" O Dame Gunild!
37.
" For fifteen years I serv'd your sire,
Fed at his board, and took his hire,
My Dame Gunild;
38.
" But saw you never in such a plight,
With thin and tatter'd raiment dight,
My Dame Gunild;
39.
" Never my master's child have seen
Walk barefoot o'er the castle green,
My Dame Gunild.
40.
" To some the merchant coin he told,
To some with cups he measur'd gold,
My Dame Gunild;
41.
" On Ravngard he the most bestow'd,
The one who first has treason show'd
My Dame Gunild:
42.
" I've ever sat at table-end,
Whither good gifts are wont to wend,
My Dame Gunild;
43.
" And now for you I'll take the field,
If Adelring to me you'll yield.
My Dame Gunild. "
44.
" If thou wilt take the field for me,
The sword I'll gladly fetch for thee. "
Said Dame Gunild.
45.
On the bare mould they drew a ring,
Where each his sword and shield should bring
For Dame Gunild.
46.
" A solemn oath thou now shalt swear,
That Adelring thou dost not wear,
For Dame Gunild. "
47.
" So help me God! to me is known
Above the ground its hilt alone. "
The Dame Gunild!
48.
" And now an oath thou too shalt swear,
That thou sword Southwind doest not bear. "
The Dame Gunild!
49.
" So help me God from pain and woe!
That Southwind sword I do not know. "
The Dame Gunild!
50.
The first blow Ravngard on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Memering's blade.
The Dame Gunild.
51.
" Now, " said the Duke, " may all men see,
How true is what is charg'd to thee:
My Dame Gunild. "
52.
" The charge, my lord, is still untrue,
Tho' broke my champion's sword in two. "
Said Dame Gunild.
53.
The first blow Memering on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Ravngard's blade,
For Dame Gunild.
54.
" Hold up now, Memering, stand aside,
And wait till I my shoe have tied, "
The Dame Gunild!
55.
Down to the greensward Ravngard bent
And so his good sword Southwind hent.
The Dame Gunild!
56.
" This villain perjury thou shalt mourn;
Thy guilty soul hast thou forsworn. "
The Dame Gunild!
57.
The first blow Ravngard on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Memering's blade.
The Dame Gunild!
58.
" Stay, Ravngard, now stand thou aside,
And wait till I my shoe have tied. "
The Dame Gunild!
59.
Down to the greensward Memering bent,
And Adelring his sword he hent.
For Dame Gunild!
60.
" This perjury thou too hast to mourn,
Thy guilty soul hast thou forsworn,
For Dame Gunild. "
61.
" Nay, for I sware to me was known
Above the earth its hilt alone. "
The Dame Gunild!
62.
The first blow Memering on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Ravngard's blade;
For Dame Gunild.
63.
Memering heav'd yet one other blow,
And headless fell his guilty foe
'Fore Dame Gunild.
64.
" See there, my lord, the champion's fate,
And now thy groundless wrath abate, "
Said Dame Gunild.
65.
" For now, my lord, yourself my see,
That Ravngard basely lied on me, "
Said Dame Gunild.
66.
Duke Henry tapp'd her cheek so fair,
" Forgive me, and be again as dear,
My Dame Gunild. "
67.
The gallant Memering homward sped,
With broken shins and bleeding head,
To Dame Gunild.
68.
" Now, Lady, for thy father's soul
My life long give me bread and bowl,
My Dame Gunild. "
69.
" Memering, my champion, stout and leal,
Fear not, thy wounds myself will heal, "
Said Dame Gunild.
70.
" And all thy days I'll give thee bread,
And clothe thee too in scarlet red, "
Said Dame Gunild.
The Dame Gunild, she dwells in Spire,
And her the great and rich admire,
The Dame Gunild.
2.
To woo her suitors come from South
In rich array and prime of youth,
To Dame Gunild.
3.
To woo her suitors come from West,
The wealthiest, bravest and the best,
To Dame Gunild.
4.
To woo her suitors come from North,
Men of well-earn'd renown and worth,
To Dame Gunild.
5.
To woo her suitors come from East,
For wealth and bravery not the least,
To Dame Gunild.
6.
To woo her too Duke Henry came,
And fate decreed them woe and shame.
The Dame Gunild.
7.
He woo'd and brought her home for wife;
Behind them followed storm and strife,
The Dame Gunild.
8.
The Duke to war must march away,
And her to guard bade Ravngard stay,
The Dame Gunild.
9.
" Of Brunswick, Sleswick, Spire take care,
But chiefly watch my consort dear,
The Dame Gunild. "
10.
As steer'd the Duke his ship from land,
Rode Ravngard off along the strand,
To Dame Gunild.
11.
He round him wrapp'd his scarlet cloak,
And up to the lady went and spoke,
To Dame Gunild.
12.
" Hear now, I pray, my lord's last word,
And fetch me Adelring, his sword,
My Dame Gunild. "
13.
" No such behest gave me the Duke,
When lately leave from me he took. "
Said Dame Gunild.
14.
" Unless you give me Adelring,
A charge against you I shall bring,
My Dame Gunild. "
15
" Lie as thou wilt, on thee the shame,
For God will prove me free from blame. "
Said Dame Gunild.
16.
The Duke from war march'd home again,
And Ravngard met the glittering train;
From Dame Gunild.
17.
" How has it fared with Spire this year?
And how is she, my wife so dear,
The Dame Gunild? "
18.
" Your land is in its wonted state,
But ill has lived your wife of late,
The Dame Gunild. "
19.
" Ravngard, thy charge I deem untrue,
For faithlessness I never knew
In Dame Gunild. "
20.
" 'Tis what myself have seen with pain,
Gunild has with th' Archbishop lain,
The Dame Gunild. "
21.
" I'll smite her down with heavy hand,
And none shall dare my wroth withstand,
Her, Dame Gunild. "
22.
The Duke his scarlet mantle hent,
And up to his consort's chamber went,
To Dame Gunild.
23.
Gunild, as near her door he drew,
Rose up to show him honour due;
The Dame Gunild.
24.
" Welcome my noble Lord again!
How fared you in your late campaign? "
Said Dame Gunild.
25.
" Most lucky had I deem'd this year,
Such deeds of thee did I not hear,
My Dame Gunild. "
26.
" My gracious lord, oh, say not so;
Of wrong or crime I nothing know. "
Said Dame Gunild.
27.
" It little boots to plead or feign,
For with th' Archbishop thou hast lain,
My Dame Gunild. "
28.
With ruthless hand he dealt the blows,
Nor one to help his lady rose,
The Dame Gunild.
29.
None but two courtly dames would dare
To pray the Duke her life to spare,
The Dame Gunild's.
30.
" My lord, be not this charge believ'd;
With lying tale you've been deceiv'd
Of Dame Gunild. "
31.
" Let her then seek her out a knight,
Who does a joust with Ravngard fight,
The Dame Gunild. "
32.
Bare, head and foot, her garments rent,
From out her door in sorrow went
The Dame Gunild.
33.
With tears she sought the banquet hall,
Where sat and drank the champions all,
The Dame Gunild.
34.
Those knights, as towards the door she drew,
Stood up to show her honour due,
To Dame Gunild.
35.
" Is here within a gallant knight,
Will for an injured lady fight,
For Dame Gunild? "
36.
Her cause would no one undertake,
Mute all, till Memering rose and spake,
" O Dame Gunild!
37.
" For fifteen years I serv'd your sire,
Fed at his board, and took his hire,
My Dame Gunild;
38.
" But saw you never in such a plight,
With thin and tatter'd raiment dight,
My Dame Gunild;
39.
" Never my master's child have seen
Walk barefoot o'er the castle green,
My Dame Gunild.
40.
" To some the merchant coin he told,
To some with cups he measur'd gold,
My Dame Gunild;
41.
" On Ravngard he the most bestow'd,
The one who first has treason show'd
My Dame Gunild:
42.
" I've ever sat at table-end,
Whither good gifts are wont to wend,
My Dame Gunild;
43.
" And now for you I'll take the field,
If Adelring to me you'll yield.
My Dame Gunild. "
44.
" If thou wilt take the field for me,
The sword I'll gladly fetch for thee. "
Said Dame Gunild.
45.
On the bare mould they drew a ring,
Where each his sword and shield should bring
For Dame Gunild.
46.
" A solemn oath thou now shalt swear,
That Adelring thou dost not wear,
For Dame Gunild. "
47.
" So help me God! to me is known
Above the ground its hilt alone. "
The Dame Gunild!
48.
" And now an oath thou too shalt swear,
That thou sword Southwind doest not bear. "
The Dame Gunild!
49.
" So help me God from pain and woe!
That Southwind sword I do not know. "
The Dame Gunild!
50.
The first blow Ravngard on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Memering's blade.
The Dame Gunild.
51.
" Now, " said the Duke, " may all men see,
How true is what is charg'd to thee:
My Dame Gunild. "
52.
" The charge, my lord, is still untrue,
Tho' broke my champion's sword in two. "
Said Dame Gunild.
53.
The first blow Memering on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Ravngard's blade,
For Dame Gunild.
54.
" Hold up now, Memering, stand aside,
And wait till I my shoe have tied, "
The Dame Gunild!
55.
Down to the greensward Ravngard bent
And so his good sword Southwind hent.
The Dame Gunild!
56.
" This villain perjury thou shalt mourn;
Thy guilty soul hast thou forsworn. "
The Dame Gunild!
57.
The first blow Ravngard on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Memering's blade.
The Dame Gunild!
58.
" Stay, Ravngard, now stand thou aside,
And wait till I my shoe have tied. "
The Dame Gunild!
59.
Down to the greensward Memering bent,
And Adelring his sword he hent.
For Dame Gunild!
60.
" This perjury thou too hast to mourn,
Thy guilty soul hast thou forsworn,
For Dame Gunild. "
61.
" Nay, for I sware to me was known
Above the earth its hilt alone. "
The Dame Gunild!
62.
The first blow Memering on him laid,
In twain he sunder'd Ravngard's blade;
For Dame Gunild.
63.
Memering heav'd yet one other blow,
And headless fell his guilty foe
'Fore Dame Gunild.
64.
" See there, my lord, the champion's fate,
And now thy groundless wrath abate, "
Said Dame Gunild.
65.
" For now, my lord, yourself my see,
That Ravngard basely lied on me, "
Said Dame Gunild.
66.
Duke Henry tapp'd her cheek so fair,
" Forgive me, and be again as dear,
My Dame Gunild. "
67.
The gallant Memering homward sped,
With broken shins and bleeding head,
To Dame Gunild.
68.
" Now, Lady, for thy father's soul
My life long give me bread and bowl,
My Dame Gunild. "
69.
" Memering, my champion, stout and leal,
Fear not, thy wounds myself will heal, "
Said Dame Gunild.
70.
" And all thy days I'll give thee bread,
And clothe thee too in scarlet red, "
Said Dame Gunild.
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