The Vulture

King Vallemo was a wise old man.
He married off his daughter in a foreign land.

One day she stood in her bridal gown,
The next in bands of iron bound.

"And why do you do this to me?"
"For you were no maiden when you came to me."

"Oh had I a trusty friend and true
To carry these words to my father now!"

Then the old vulture came to her:
"Let me be your speedy messenger.

"If I could get food for my young from you,
I could be there in an hour or two."

"Then lay your young at my breast, if you will,
So that while you are gone they may eat their fill."

"King Vallemo, here you sit free from sorrow.
Your daughter will burn at the stake tomorrow."

"Fly away, old vulture, as quick as you can -
My daughter has married an honest man."

"If you won`t believe what you hear from me
Look here at my claw, I am carrying her key.

" King Vallemo into the stable strode,
Saddled his black horse, and off he rode.

And when they came to the foreign lord`s hall
The black horse whinnied high up on the wall.