The Fisher Maiden.
99
under foot, they smashed all the windows, they tore up the garden palings, they threw down young fruit-trees, and then they sang:—
“‘I’ve hooked a seaman bold, mother!’ ‘Ah, say’st thou so?’‘I’ve hooked a merchant’s gold, mother!’ ‘Ah, say’st thou so?’‘Mother, I’ve hooked our parson’s son!’ ‘’Tis idly done! For cling and clang, For bing and bang;Beneath, he’ll slip thy nose’s tip!Thou mayest get him in thy net,But not on board thy ship!’
“‘He’s gone, the seaman bold, mother!’ ‘What—say’st thou so?’‘’Tis lost, the merchant’s gold, mother!’ ‘What—say’st thou so?’‘Mother, the parson’s son has fled!’ ‘Ah, so I said! For cling and clang, For bing and bang;I knew he’d slip thy nose’s tip!Thou mightest get him in thy net,But not on board thy ship!’”
There was a general shouting for Gunlaug, for the mob especially rejoiced at the prospect of hearing the outburst of her peerless wrath.
Gunlaug, indeed, sat within and heard every word; but she kept silent. One must be able to endure much for the sake of one’s child.
