A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

16
" Sair bleids my lelge } Sali% sair he bleids l"
Again with micht he drew.
And gesture dreid, his sturdy bow
Fast the braid arrow flew :
Wae to the knicht he ettled * at;
Lament now, Quene Elgreid
Hie dames to wail zour darhng's fall.
His zouth and comely meid.
" Take afF, take afF his costly jupe," t
(Of gold weil was it twyn'd.
Knit like the fowler's net, thi'ouch quhilk
His steily harnes shynd.)
" Take, Norse, that gift frae me, and bid
Him 'venge the blude it beirs;
Say, if he face my bended bow
He sure nae weapon feirs."
Proud Norse with giant body tall.
Braid shoulder, and arms strong,
Cry'd, " Quhair is Hardyknute sae fara'd^
And feird at Britain's throne ?
Tho' Britons tremble at his name,
I sune sail mak him Avail
That eir my sword was made sae sharp,
Sae saft his coat of mail."
That brag his stout heart could na byde.
It lent him zoutlifu micht
" I'm Hardyknute. This day," he cry'd,
'' To Scotland's King I hecht %
To lay thee law as horse's hufe.
My word I mean to keip."
Syne with the first strake eir he strak
He garrd his body bleid.
* Aimed. f Military vest. % Promised,
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