Atlantic Monthly, page 229 by Various
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p>"The Lord Halewyn knew a song: all those who heard it were attracted towards him.
"It was once heard by the daughter of the King, who was so beloved by her parents.
"She stood before her father: 'O father, may I go to the Lord Halewyn?'
"'Oh, no, my child, no! They who go to him never come back again.'
"She stood before her mother: 'O mother, may I go to the Lord Halewyn?'
"'Oh, no, my child, no! They who go to him never come back again.'
"She stood before her sister: 'O sister, may I go to the Lord Halewyn?'
"'Oh, no, sister, no! They who go to him never come back again.'
"She stood before her brother: 'O brother, may I go to the Lord Halewyn?'
"'Little care I where thou goest, provided thou preservest thine honor and thy crown.
"She goes up into her chamber; she clothes herself in her best garments.
"What does she put on first? A shift finer than silk.
"What does she gird round her lovely waist? Strong bands of gold.
"What does she put upon her scarlet petticoat? On every seam a golden button.
"What does she set on her beautiful fair hair? A massive golden crown.
"What does she put upon her kirtle? On every seam a pearl.
"She goes into her father's stable, and takes out his best charger. She mounts him proudly, and so, laughing and singing, rides through the forest. When she reaches the middle of the forest, she meets the Lord Halewyn.
"'Hail!' said he, approaching her, 'hail, beautiful virgin, with eyes so black and brilliant!'
"They proceed together, chatting as they go.
"They arrive at a field in which stands a gallows. The bodies of several women hang from it.
"The Lord Halewyn says to her: 'As you are the loveliest of all virgins, say, how will you die? The time is come.'
"'It is well: as I may choose, I choose the sword.
"'But, first of all, take off your tunic; for the blood of a virgin gushes out so far, that it might reach you,