“The Damsel’s named proud Ermeline, She sits in Upsal sorrowing sore; Whilst bolts of steel and iron bars Make fast the Damsel’s chamber door.
“The King he has a sister’s son, And Allevod is the name he bears; And he’s to wed the lovely maid As soon as he the Kingdom heirs.
“But I will give thee saddle and horse, And golden spurs I will supply; Thou ne’er shalt ride a path so wild But thou shalt reach a hostelry.
“And I will garments give to thee, With gold adorned at the seam; And I will give thee a ruddy shield, Wherein the richest diamonds gleam.
“And I will give thee a silken band, With roses ’tis embroider’d all; Whilst thou dost bear that girdle fair No word thou say’st shall vainly fall.”
Forth stepped the Daughter of the Dwarf, For, ah! she loved the knight so dear: “And I will give thee a faulchion good, And I will give thee a polished spear.
“Thou ne’er shalt ride through wood so wide But thou shalt surely find the way; And ne’er, Sir Knight, engage in fight But victory thou shalt bear away.
“Thou never, never shalt sail the sea But in safety thou shalt come to land; Thou never, never shalt wounded be, I ween, by any human hand.”
It was the proud Dame Thorelile, The clear wine into the cup she pour’d: “Now haste thee from the elfin hill, Ere home arrive the elfin Lord.”
Sir Thunye rides in the good green wood, His spear it gleams so wide, so wide; And soon he meets the Dwarf himself, To his mountain home as the Dwarf would ride.
“Well met, well met, Sir Thunye the Knight, Thy horse he speeds right gallantly; Say whither, whither dost thou ride? On journey bound thou seemst to be.”
“Riding to woo, Sir Dwarf, I am, Riding to wed a beauteous lady; To break a spear I do not fear, For weal or woe alike I’m ready.”
“Ride on thy way, Sir Thunye the Knight, Nought else than peace thou shalt have from me; In Upsal town a swain there lives Will willingly break a lance with thee.”
Sir Thunye rides in Sweden’s land, Essay his fortune there would he; And there he found nine stalwart knights, Stood armed beneath the forest tree.
Upon their heads their helms were placed, Their good shields glittered before their breasts; By their sides hung down their gilded swords, And their spears hung ready within the rests.