III. THE CHILD'S LAST WILL. Den lillas Testamente: Svenska Folk-Visor, iii. 13. Translated in Literature and Romance of Northern Europe,i. 265. See also Arwidsson's Fornsånger, ii. 90. "SO LONG where hast thou tarried, Little daughter dear?” Sweet step-mother mine." nurse, For ah, ah !—I am so ill—ah ! "What gave she thee for dinner, Sweet step-mother mine.". For ah, ah!-I am so ill—ah ! "What didst thou do with the fish-bones, Little daughter dear ?" "Gave them to the beagle, Sweet step-mother mine." For ah, ah !-1 am so ill-ah ! "What wish leav'st thou thy father, Little daughter dear?" "The blessedness of heaven, Sweet step-mother mine." "What wish leav'st thou thy mother, Little daughter dear?" "All the joys of heaven, Sweet step-mother mine." For ah, ah!-1 am so ill-ah! "What wish leav'st thou thy brother, Little daughter dear ?” "A fleet ship on the waters, Sweet step-mother mine." For ah, ah !-1 am so ill—ah! "What wish leav'st thou thy sister, Little daughter dear?' "Golden chests and caskets, Sweet step-mother mine." For ah, ah!-I am so ill-ah! "What wish leav'st thou thy step-mother, Little daughter dear? "Of hell the bitter sorrow Sweet step-mother mine." For ah, ah !-1 am so ill-ah! "What wish leav'st thou thy old nurse, Little daughter dear?" "For her I wish the same pangs, Sweet step-mother mine. For ah, ah !-1 am so ill-ah! "But now the time is over When I with you can stay; Are ringing me away.” THE THREE KNIGHTS. See p. 251. From the second edition of Gilbert's Ancient Christmas Carols, &c. p. 68. THERE did three Knights come from the West, And these three Knights courted one Lady, The first Knight came was all in white, The next Knight came was all in green, And asked of her, if she'd be his Queen, The third Knight came was all in red, As the rose was so sweetly blown. "Then have you asked of my Father dear, With the high and the lily oh! Likewise of her who did me bear? As the rose was so sweetly blown. "And have you asked of my brother John? With the high and the lily oh! And also of my sister Anne?" As the rose was so sweetly blown. "Yes, I have asked of your Father dear, With the high and the lily oh! Likewise of her who did you bear, As the rose was so sweetly blown. "And I have asked of your sister Anne, But I've not asked of your brother John," [Here some verses seem to be wanting.] For on the road as they rode along, With the high and the lily oh! There did they meet with her brother John; As the rose was so sweetly blown. She stooped low to kiss him sweet, As the rose was so sweetly blown. "Ride on, ride on," cried the serving man, With the high and the lily oh! 20 25 30 35 40 "Methinks your bride she looks wond'rous wan," As the rose was so sweetly blown. "I wish I were on yonder stile, With the high and the lily oh! For there I would sit and bleed awhile, As the rose was so sweetly blown. "I wish I were on yonder hill, With the high and the lily oh! There I'd alight and make my will,” As the rose was so sweetly blown. "What would you give to your Father dear?" With the high and the lily oh! "The gallant steed which doth me bear," As the rose was so sweetly blown. "What would you give to your Mother dear?" With the high and the lily oh! 66 My wedding shift which I do wear, As the rose was so sweetly blown. "But she must wash it very clean, 45 50 55 60 "What would you give to your sister Anne? 65 With the high and the lily oh! "My gay gold ring, and my feathered fan," As the rose was so sweetly blown. "What would you give to your brother John ?” With the high and the lily oh! 70 |