The Lay Of Christine. Translated From The Icelandic.

Of silk my gear was shapen,     Scarlet they did on me,     Then to the sea-strand was I borne     And laid in a bark of the sea.     O well were I from the World away.     Befell it there I might not drown,     For God to me was good;     The billows bare me up a-land     Where grew the fair green-wood.     O well were I from the World away.     There came a Knight a-riding     With three swains along the way     And he took me up, the little-one,     On the sea-sand as I lay.     O well were I from the World away.     He took me up, and bare me home     To the house that was his own,     And there bode I so long with him     That I was his love alone.     O well were I from the World away.     But the very first night we lay abed     Befell his sorrow and harm,     That thither came the King's ill men,     And slew him on mine arm.     O well were I from the World away.     There slew they Adalbright the King,     Two of his swains slew they,     But the third sailed swiftly from the land     Sithence I saw him never a day.     O well were I from the World away.     O wavering hope of this world's bliss,     How shall men trow in thee?     My Grove of Gems is gone away     For mine eyes no more to see!     O well were I from the World away.     Each hour the while my life shall last     Remembereth him alone,     Such heavy sorrow have I got     From our meeting long agone.     O well were I from the World away.     O, early in the morning-tide     Men cry: "Christine the fair,     Art thou well content with that true love     Thou sittest loving there?"     O well were I from the World away.     Ah, yea, so well I love him,     And so dear my love shall be,     That the very God of Heaven aloft     Worshippeth him and me.     O well were I from the World away.     "Ah, all the red gold I have got     Well would I give to-day,     Only for this and nothing else     From the world to win away."     O well were I from the World away.     "Nay, midst all folk upon the earth     Keep thou thy ruddy gold,     And love withal the mighty lord     That wedded thee of old."     O well were I from the World away.