Duke Magnus and the Mermaid.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Keightley, Thomas
Duke Magnus looked out through the castle windów, How the stream ran so rapidly; And there he saw how upon the stream sat A woman most fair and lovelie, Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, plight thee to me, I pray you still so freely; Say me not nay, but yes, yes!
"O, to you I will give a travelling ship, The best that a knight would guide; It goeth as well on water as on firm land, And through the fields all so wide. Duke Magnus, &c.
"O, to you will I give a courser gray, The best that a knight would ride; He goeth as well on water as on firm land, And through the groves all so wide." Duke Magnus, &c.
"O, how should I plight me to you? I never any quiet get; I serve the king and my native land, But with woman I match me not yet." Duke Magnus, &c.
"To you will I give as much of gold As for more than your life will endure; And of pearls and precious stones handfùls; And all shall be so pure." Duke Magnus, &c.
"O gladly would I plight me to thee, If thou wert of Christian kind; But now thou art a vile sea-troll, My love thou canst never win." Duke Magnus, &c.
"Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, bethink thee well, And answer not so haughtily; For if thou wilt not plight thee to me, Thou shalt ever crazy be." Duke Magnus, &c.
"I am a king's son so good, How can I let you gain me? You dwell not on land, but in the flood, Which would not with me agree." Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, plight thee to me, I offer you still so freely; Say me not nay, but yes, yes![217]