The ship it had a master, a lord from out Salmé

The ship it had a master, a lord from out Salmé; Hagen, as well as his kindred, had he known on a former day. They before were neighbors, but Ireland’s child, here roaming, The youthful son of Sigeband, was to the pilgrims unknown, who now were coming.

The earl forbade his steersman nearer to sail to the shore; But now the childish outcast but begged of them the more, For love of God, to take them away from that shore forsaken. The sailors felt emboldened, when by the boy the name of Christ was taken.

The earl, with eleven others, into a boat now sprung; Ere he the truth was learning, the time to him seemed long. Whether the maidens as goblins or mermaids must be treated He knew not; such beings never, in all his life before, his eyes had greeted.

He first began to ask them, before he reached the strand: “Boy, have you been baptized? What do you in this land?” Dight with fresh green mosses he saw those lovely daughters, Who earnestly begged the sailors that they would deign to take them o’er the waters.