 | Hunting Songs |  |
The Ladie Cunigunda of Kynast.
I
“In my bower,” said Cunigunda,“No longer will I bide,
I will ride forth to the hunting,
Right merrie 'tis to ride.”
II
Said she, “None but a valiant KnightShall win me for a bride;
Undaunted must he venture
Round my castle wall to ride.”
III
Then rode a noble Knight alongThe Kynast Castle wall;
32
At the noble Knight's downfall.
IV
Upon that wall another KnightRode gallantly and well;
That Ladie's heart misgave her not
When horse and rider fell.
V
Another Knight, and once againAnother dar'd to try,
And both, down rolling headlong,
She beheld with tearless eye.
VI
Thus years and years pass'd on, untilNo Knight again drew nigh;
None to ride again would venture,
For to venture was to die.
VII
Cunigunda from the battlementLook'd out both far and wide:
“I sit within my bower alone,
Will none attempt the ride?
VIII
“O! is there none would win me now,And wear me for a bride?
Has chivalry turn'd recreant?
Has knighthood lost its pride?”
33
IX
Out spake Thuringia's Landgrave(Count Adelbert he hight,)
“This Ladie fair is worthy well
The venture of a Knight.”
X
The Landgrave train'd his war-horseOn the mountain steep to go,
That the Ladie might not glory
In another overthrow.
XI
“'Tis I, O noble Ladie,Who will on the venture speed;”
Sadly, earnestly, she eyed him,
As he sprang upon his steed.
XII
She saw him mount and onward spur,She trembled and she sigh'd:
“O woe is me that for my sake
He tries this fearful ride!”
XIII
He rode along the castle wall,She turn'd her from the sight:
“Woe is me, he rideth straightway
To his grave, that noble Knight!”
34
XIV
He rode along the castle wall,On dizzy rampart there;
She dar'd not move a finger
Of her hand, that Ladie fair!
XV
He rode along the castle wall,O'er battlement and mound;
She dar'd not breathe a whisper,
Lest he totter at the sound.
XVI
He rode around the castle wall,And down again rode he:
“Now God be prais'd that he hath spar'd
Thy precious life to thee!
XVII
“May God be prais'd thou didst not rideA death-ride to thy grave!
Now quit thy steed and claim thy bride,
Thou worthy Knight and brave!”
XVIII
Then spake the Landgrave, bending downUnto the saddle bow:
“That Knight can dare, O Ladie fair,
This morning's ride doth show.
35
XIX
“Wait thou until another comeTo do this feat for thee;
A wife I have and children,
And my bride thou canst not be.”
XX
He spurr'd his steed and went his way,Light-hearted as he came;
And as he went half dead was she
With anger and with shame.
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