67 
TRANSLATION 
1 0 fair Germaine the lovely lay sleeping on her bed 
When to her castle gate three gallant young knights sped. 
Each asked the fair Germaine if she with him would wed. 
2 “I am no more a maiden, O no more shall I wed! 
When I was but sixteen, I was a youthful bride, 
Seven years has tarried my husband from my side.” 
3 “Greetings to you, fair lady! May we have lodging here? 
In honour of the brave young prince of Ambroisie, 
Open your gates and have compassion on us three!” 
4 “O nevermore shall enter a knight within my gates! 
But if you take the path to yonder wooden dell. 
There lives my husband s mother, she will lodge you well.” 
5 “Good morrow to you, lady, O will you lodge us here? 
In honour of the brave young prince of Ambroisie?” 
“Welcome to you, young gallants, you may lodge with me.” 
6 When they were at the table, before the goodly fare, 
They would not taste of food, nor drink a drop of wine, 
0 they were torn with love, love for the fair Germaine. 
7 “Germaine, my dearest daughter, three knights have come 
to stay. 
But they are pale and wan, and spurn my goodly cheer: 
For they are torn with love, with love for you, my dear!” 
8 “0 mother, cruel mother! Leave me in peace alone. 
It is respect for you that will not let me throw 
You from the draw-bridge high into the moat below.” 
9 “O comrades, let us gallop away to fair Germaine! 
Tis only at her home that I shall eat or drink. 
Only upon her bed into a slumber sink.” 
