Part 1 — LITTLE KARIN.[1]
Reading edition
LITTLE KARIN.[1]
Translated from the Swedish by the Rev. LEWIS BORRETT WHITE, D.D.
Among the serving maidens In the young king’s royal Hall, None shone like little Karin, A star among them all. Just like a star she shone forth, Among the serving folk, And thus the young king, smiling, To little Karin spoke. “Oh, hear thou, little Karin, Oh, say thou wilt be mine; Grey horse and golden saddle Shall surely then be thine.” “Grey horse and golden saddle, They are not meet for me; To thy young queen oh, give them, Leave me with honour free.” “Oh, hear thou, little Karin, Oh, say thou wilt be mine, My crown all bright and golden Shall surely then be thine.” “Thy crown so bright and golden, It is not meet for me; To thy young queen oh, give it, Leave me with honour free.” “Oh, hear thou, little Karin, Oh, say thou wilt be mine; The half my royal kingdom Shall surely then be thine.” “The half thy royal kingdom, It is not meet for me; On thy young queen bestow it, Leave me with honour free.” “Oh, hear thou, little Karin, If thou wilt not be mine, There is a spikéd barrel I’ll have thee placed within.” “Though there’s a spikéd barrel, And I am placed within, God’s angels will behold me, That I am free from sin.” So placed they little Karin, In spikéd barrel bound, And the king’s cruel horseboys, They rolled it round and round. Then two white doves from Heaven Came down so peacefully, They took up little Karin, And then the doves were three.
