  IGlasgerion was a King’s own son, And a harper he was good; He harpÈd in the King’s chamber Where cup and candle stood, And so did he in the Queen’s chamber, Till ladies waxÈd wood IIAnd then bespake the King’s daughter And these words thus said she: [‘There’s never a stroke comes over this harp, But it glads the heart of me.’] IIISaid, ‘Strike on, strike on, Glasgerion, Of thy striking do not blin There’s never a stroke comes over thine harp But it glads my heart within.’ IV‘Fair might you fall, lady,’ quoth he; ‘Who taught you now to speak? I have loved you, lady, seven year; My heart I durst ne’er break.’— V‘But come to my bower, my Glasgerion, When all men are at rest; As I am a lady true of my promise, Thou shalt be a welcome guest.’ VIBut home then came Glasgerion, A glad man, Lord, was he! ‘And come thou hither, Jack, my boy, Come hither unto me. VII‘For the King’s daughter of Normandye Her love is granted me; And before the cock have crowen At her chamber must I be.’ VIII‘But come you hither, master,’ quoth he, ‘Lay your head down on this stone; For I will waken you, master dear, Afore it be time to gone.’ IXBut up then rose that lither And did on hose and shoon; A collar he cast upon his neck, He seemÈd a gentleman. XAnd when he came to that lady’s chamber He tirl’d The lady was true of her promise, Rose up and let him in. XIHe did not kiss that lady gay When he came nor when he yode And sore mistrusted that lady gay He was of some churle’s blood. XIIBut home then came that lither lad, And did off his hose and shoon, And cast that collar from ’bout his neck; He was but a churlÈ’s son: ‘Awaken,’ quoth he, ‘my master dear, I hold it time to be gone. XIII‘For I have saddled your horse, master, Well bridled I have your steed; Have not I served a good breakfast When time comes I have need?’ XIVBut up then rose good Glasgerion, And did on both hose and shoon, And cast a collar about his neck; He was a KingÉ’s son. XVAnd when he came to that lady’s chamber, He tirl’d upon a pin; The lady was more than true of her promise, Rose up, and let him in. XVISays, ‘Whether have you left with me Your bracelet or your glove? Or are you back return’d again To know more of my love?’ XVIIGlasgerion swore a full great oath By oak and ash and thorn, ‘Lady, I was never in your chamber Sith the time that I was born.’— XVIII‘O then it was your little foot-page Falsely hath beguiled me’: And then she pull’d forth a little pen-knife That hangÈd by her knee, Says, ‘There shall never no churlÈ’s blood Spring within my bodye.’ XIXBut home then went Glasgerion, A woe man, Lord, was he; Sayes, ‘Come hither, thou Jack, my boy, Come thou hither to me. XX‘For if I had kill’d a man to-night, Jack, I would tell it thee, But if I have not kill’d a man to-night, Jack, thou hast killÉd three!’ XXIAnd he pull’d out his bright brown sword, And dried it on his sleeve, And he smote off that lither lad’s head And ask’d no man no leave. XXIIHe set the sword’s point till his breast, The pommel till a stone; Through the falseness of that lither lad These three lives wern all gone. |
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