The king goes
to the sorceress
in,
And the sorceress stands before the king.
The king lifts his silver goblet up:
"Fair maiden, drink if you will from this cup.
"And the king his cup with wine did fill:
"Now drink my health with a right good will!"
"Well might I like to taste the king's wine,
But less in his prison cage to pine."
And the king has stroked her rosy cheek:
"I wish you were my lover sweet."
"The king's caresses are not for me,
Nor do I wish his consort to be."
The king has stroked the pillows blue,
"Here, if you will, I will lie with you."
"The bed is low, and the bed is wide,
But to lie with the king is to be death's bride.
"I have no desire for the king's embrace,
For all it would lead to is pain and disgrace."
The king has stroked her rosy cheek:
"I wish you were my lover sweet."
The king lifts his silver goblet up:
"Fair maiden, drink if you will from this cup."
"I want no wine, I want no mead -
To be rid of you is all I need.
"The king's caresses are not for me,
Nor do I wish his consort to be."
And the king, looking long at the sorceress, said:
"You're no worse than any other maid."
The king in rage to the sorceress cries.
The sorceress answers him with her eyes.
The king turned his back on her and left.
And the sorceress smiled but the king he wept.
Translation by Alistair Cochrane
