’Twas late in the evening, mist fell from the skies, Sir Olaf he plays in his very best guise.
Sir Olaf he plays on his gold harp a strain, That heard the proud Mettie far over the plain.
Sir Olaf a tune on his golden horn blew, To the house of fair Mettie the thrilling sounds flew.
Long stood the fair Mettie and listened thereto: “Now shall I or not to that horn-player go?”
Long stood damsel Mettie in doubt and in care: “No one of my maidens take with me I dare.”
The maid and the little brown messan her friend, Through the paths of the forest so lonely they wend.
Her mantle of blue the fair Mettie puts on, And unto the bower of Sir Olaf she’s gone.
On the door of the chamber she gave a low knock: “Sir Olaf, I pray thee, arise and unlock.”
“O none have I summoned to me at this hour, And unto no one will I open my door.”
“Sir Olaf, arise, let me in I request, At what I have heard I’m so sorely distrest.”
“At what thou hast heard, be thou glad or distrest, Thou comest not into my bower of rest.
“But soon should the door to thee open I wot, Provided Sir Peter thy sweetheart were not.
“Although in my heart I may love thee full dear, Sir Peter for me to admit thee’s too near.”
“Sir Olaf, arise, let me in I implore, The night-dew falls chilly my scarlet dress o’er.”
“Though chill fall the night-dew thy scarlet dress o’er, I dare not, O Mettie, fling open my door.”
“Since into thy bower thou lett’st me not come, O let thy swains guide me, dear heart, to my home.”
“The night it is bright, and the moon sheds her ray, Fair maid, thou wilt find without trouble thy way.
“The moon’s in the sky, and shines clear o’er the mead, So back by thyself to thy chamber proceed.”
The maid, and the little brown messan her friend, They home through the forest so lonely must wend.
And when to the gate of the castle she came, Sir Peter was leaning against it his frame.
“Thrice welcome, thrice welcome, thou proud Mettelil, Say where hast thou been in the night season still?”
“I walked out, my lord, by no mortal eye seen, And I gathered the herbs both the blue and the green.
“The herbs I collected with diligent hand, Which just at this season in fullest bloom stand.
“I stood in the meadows throughout the long night, And harked to the nightingale’s song with delight.”