stratagem to fling her false lover into the sea, where she leaves him
to his fate, in the following she falls a victim to his treachery.
His fitting end is, however, indicated in the remarkable stanza with
which the ballad closes.]

A false knight wooed a maiden poor,
And his high halls left he
To stoop in at her cottage door,
When night left none to see.

And, well-a-day, it is a tale
For pity too severe--
A tale would melt the sternest eye,
And wake the deafest ear.

He stole her heart, he stole her love,
'T was all the wealth she had;
Her truth and fame likewise stole he,

* * * *

And they rode on, and they rode on;
Far on this pair did ride,
Till the maiden's heart with fear and love
Beat quick against her side.

And on they rode till rocks grew high.
"Sir Knight, what have we here?"
"Unsaddle, maid, for here we stop:"
And death's tongue smote her ear.