cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

Three white maidens danced in the dew.
Now beware, o my girl, for the elf-king sees you!
4.
Like fleeting mist over the meadow,
The three became one and the one three.
Now beware, o my girl, for the elf-king sees you!
5.
The elf-king appeared in the midst of the dance;
Then he drew a costly ring from his finger.
Now beware, o my girl, for the elf-king sees you!
6.
I grabbed for the ring, but he seized my hand,
The white maidens wove round us in a circle.
Yes beware, o my girl, for the elf-king sees you!
7.
Now I live in the hill as the elf-king's bride,
And I venture out only when the mist falls.
Since beware, o my girl, for the elf-king sees you!
(At the beginning of this ballad the KING and FLEMMING have left the stage in
conversation. Towards the end of the song they come in again, and the KING becomes
aware of KAREN.)
FLEMMING (to the KING).
I can assure your grace that this woman is a living archive for all our old superstitious
songs: they still bloom on her lips, and are spread from there throughout the whole
district. When she dies it will be the end of our folk-poetry.
MOGENS (to KAREN).
Karen! Good morning! You are up and about early.
KAREN.
I have to be, since there is to be a celebration here today.
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