Elve Fert [English translation]

I was a fair lad

and was supposed to ride to Hova1

I ventured out one afternoon

laid down in the groove to sleep.

Then I first saw her

Then I first saw her

I laid down underneath a linden tree so green,

my eyes found rest.

Then two maidens approached me

they wanted to speak to me.

One stroke my cheek,

the other whispered in my ear.

-Stand up, fair lad,

if you yearn for some pleasure.

They ushered forward a maiden so lovely

her hair shone like gold

- Stand up, you fair lad

if you are in the mood.

The third began to sing,

which she did with goodwill

haltered so the fighting current

that used to run.

Yes, haltered so the fighting current

that used to run.

and the doe with her brown coat

forgot where she was running.

Hear, fair lad,

if you want to stay with us

then we want to teach you book and runes

along with reading and writing

I want to teach you how to tether a bear

and the beast against oak,

the dragon upon his mound of gold

shall flee from you.

I stood up from the ground

and supported myself on my sword

the fairy women danced around

they sure had a fairy voyage

Had not my luck been good,

that the man had unfurled his wings,

then I would have been sleeping in the mountain this night

among those fairy women.

Then I first saw her

Then I first saw her

1. A small locality in Sweden