There was a noble lad
  Who loved a beautiful maiden,
  And wooed for sweet gifts,
  For chaste recompense of love.
  The maiden was proud and pure,
  She spoke:  "I wish to belong to myself;
  To my grave I shall remain
  Well and truly alone."
 
Once when at the rocky water-spring
  She was happily walking,
  The wind blew her scarf
  Into the fleeting wave.
  The young squire, aglow with love,
  Sprang into the flood with joyful daring,
  And on the spot he brought it
  Back to her with a happy spirit.
 
"How can you say you have honourable intentions?"
  She said to him angrily.
  "This risk you took caused
  Pain to the hearts of your loved ones.
  He who does not honour the sorrow of his parents
  Is not worthy of a chaste maiden.
  You may laugh or you may weep,
  My favour remains denied to you."
 
Once, the squire was just
  Fencing with the enemy of his clan,
  And as he was certain of his victory
  In the battle of life and death,
  His heart’s beloved called out to him,
  Commanded him to draw back his sword,
  And, obedient to her signal,
  He let the enemy escape.
 
An earl lay in a harsh prison;
  She commanded him to liberate him,
  And jealous anxiety
  Filled his bosom.
  But he assembled a group of friends,
  And, courageously and openly, they stormed forward
  Until they penetrated into the tower,
  And the earl was free.
 
With this news he appeared
  Before the sweet woman,
  And from her lips he heard:
  "My friend, I love you."
  Thereupon the glorious prize
  Too quickly lifted his bosom and spirit,
  And from a concealed wound
  His lifeblood drained away.