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THE WATER-KING,
A DANISH BALLAD.
With gentle murmur flowed the tide,
While by the fragrant flowery side
The lovely maid, with carols gay,
To Mary's church pursued her way.
While by the fragrant flowery side
The lovely maid, with carols gay,
To Mary's church pursued her way.
The water-fiend's malignant eye
Along the banks beheld her hie;
Straight to his mother-witch he sped,
And thus in suppliant accents said:
Along the banks beheld her hie;
Straight to his mother-witch he sped,
And thus in suppliant accents said:
"Oh! mother! mother! now advise,
How I may yonder maid surprise:
Oh! mother! mother! now explain,
How I may yonder maid obtain."
How I may yonder maid surprise:
Oh! mother! mother! now explain,
How I may yonder maid obtain."
The witch, she gave him armour white;
She formed him like a gallant knight;
Of water clear next made her hand
A steed, whose housings were of sand.
She formed him like a gallant knight;
Of water clear next made her hand
A steed, whose housings were of sand.
The water-king then swift he went;
To Mary's church his steps he bent:
He bound his courser to the door,
And paced the church-yard three times four.
To Mary's church his steps he bent:
He bound his courser to the door,
And paced the church-yard three times four.
His courser to the door bound he,
And paced the church-yard four times three:
And paced the church-yard four times three:
