English poem
Now the king of Karadie forthwith to come they bade
by Mary Pickering Nichols (1829–1915)
Now the king of Karadie forthwith to come they bade; Then they asked the maiden: “Will you this man now wed? Kingdoms nine most mighty have for their master owned him.” With him were knights full many, yellow in hue, now standing all around him.
His father and his mother were not of faith the same; But him, so light in color, one might a Christian name. Like to gold, spun finely, the hair on his head was lying: She would choose unwisely if she to him her love were now denying.
She was slow her love to grant him, as oft one sees a maid; But she to him was given. The worthy knight then said: “So well I like this lady, from love I ne’er can free me. Never will I leave her, and as her husband men erelong shall see me.”
More by Mary Pickering Nichols
- Nor Herwic’s men nor Siegfried’s yet would leave the fight
- Now all would hence be faring, but the queen to them did say
- Now Herwic made him ready, and to the strife gave thought
- Now on the seashore weary lay they, one and all
- Now ’twas told to Herwic, men fast for help had gone
- Now, throughout all Ireland, did Hagen his sway begin
- Of simple folk and merry there rode with her enough
- Of them we speak no longer; we now will let you hear