Sir Verner And Dame Ingeborg

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Title:     Sir Verner And Dame Ingeborg
Author: George Borrow [More Titles by Borrow]

In Linholm's house
The swains they were drinking and making carouse.
_The Dames ne'er could so gallant a prisoner keep in_.

The swains they drank deep and they made themselves gay,
And so did Sir Verner in prison that lay.

Dame Ingeborg woke, and she lifts up her eyes:
"O, which of my maidens doth sing in that guise?"

"O, none of your maidens can sing in such guise,
'Tis Sir Verner who's singing, in durance he lies."

Dame Ingeborg straightway two servants addressed:
"To come to my presence Sir Verner request."

In through the portal Sir Verner he strode,
And up to receive him Dame Ingeborg stood.

To the cushion Dame Ingeborg points with a smile:
"Go thither, Sir Verner, and rest thee awhile.

"Now hark thou, Sir Verner, what I to thee say:
I beg thou wilt sing me a pretty love lay."

"A love lay I've never learnt up to this hour,
But I'll sing to oblige thee the best in my power."

Sir Verner began, and he sang such a lay,
That soon in deep slumber Dame Ingeborg lay.

The Dames and the maids fell to sleep and to doze,
Dame Ingeborg sank to a peaceful repose.

Sir Verner he glanced then so cautiously round,
The keys great and small in a nook he has found.

To the door hied Sir Verner as fast as he might,
He forgot to bid Dame Ingeborg a good-night.

When out of the castle himself he perceived,
His voice in a ditty again he upheaved.

Sir Verner he waved up his hat with delight:
"Dame Ingeborg bid ye a very good night!

"And hear thou, Sir Warden, who stand'st on thy watch,
Of my ditty the burden I pray thee to catch.

"She'd this e'en not have taken a bushel of gold,
Now no penny for me shall she ever behold."

So fast to the door went Sir Verner the knight,
He forgot to bid Damsel or Lady good-night.

[The end]
George Borrow's poem: Sir Verner And Dame Ingeborg

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