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Translated by Louisa Stuart Costello
IN Gévaudun were brothers three, | |
| They had one sister dear; | |
| The cruel Baron her lord must be, | |
| And the fellest and fiercest knight is he | |
| In the country far or near. | 5 |
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| He beat that lovely lady sore | |
| With a staff of the apple green, | |
| Till her blood flowed down on the castle floor, | |
| And from head to foot the crimson gore | |
| On her milk-white robe was seen. | 10 |
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| He filled a cup with her blood so red, | |
| A cup of silver fine: | |
| “It was for thee this wine was shed; | |
| Come, drink it, lady mine!” | |
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| Her robe was stained with the ruby tide | 15 |
| Once pure as the fleece so white; | |
| And she hied her to the river-side | |
| To wash in the waters bright. | |
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| While there she stood three knights so gay | |
| Came riding bold and free. | 20 |
| “Ho! tell us, young serving-maiden, pray, | |
| Where yon castle’s lady may be?” | |
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| “Alas! no serving-maid am I, | |
| But the lady of yonder castle high!” | |
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| “O sister, sister, truly tell | 25 |
| Who did this wrong to thee?” | |
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| “Dear brothers, it was the husband fell | |
| To whom you married me.” * * * * * | |
| The brothers spurred their steeds in haste | |
| And the castle soon they gained, | 30 |
| From chamber to chamber they swiftly passed, | |
| Nor paused till they reached the tower at last | |
| Where the felon knight remained: | |
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| They drew their swords so sharp and bright, | |
| They thought on their sister sweet; | 35 |
| They struck together the felon knight, | |
| And his head rolled at their feet! | |
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