Sir Degare in Drips

A short passage that took a lot of time.

Thi knight passede as he cam. Al wepende the swerd she nam, And com hom sore sikend, And fond here maidenes al slepend. The swerd she hidde als she mighte, And awaked hem in highte, And doht hem to horse anon, And gonne to ride everichon. Thanne seghen hi ate last Tweie squiers come prikend fast. Fram the Kyng thai weren isent, To white whider his doughter went. Thai browt hire into the righte wai And comen faire to the abbay, And doth the servise in alle thingges, Mani masse and riche offringes; And whanne the servise was al idone And ipassed over the none, The Kyng to his castel gan ride; His doughter rod bi his side. And he yemeth his kyngdom overal Stoutliche, as a god king sschal. Ac whan ech man was glad an blithe, His doughter siked an sorewed swithe; Here wombe greted more and more; Therwhile she mighte, se hidde here sore

The fairy knight then disappeared. She headed back, much afeard, With sword in hand, still she wept, Returning to where her ladies slept. The sword she hid as she thought best And woke the ladies from their rest. Each was ordered on her horse And away they rode as a matter of course. Then two squires they saw at last Sent from the King, riding fast, Whose charge it was to find out His precious daughter's whereabouts. Led by them, back rode she Till safe she arrived at the abbey, And there performed the required rites, Offering masses into the night, Rituals well-ordered from first to last. After the appointed time had passed, Back to the castle the King did ride With his daughter by his side. He ruled the land as any king should: With boldness and courage his reign stood. Although all men were blithe and glad, This daughter sickened, was gravely sad, As her womb grew day by day: With heart most sore she hid away.