He urged the nuns anew, The girl to him to give. The earl was of the view, Those who unchristian live No rights had in that land. To take the maid, his whim, To do with by his hand What deed perchance pleased him. So time Laimdota sought, To plan how she could cope, But time no counsel brought, In vain her rescue hope. Soon came the fateful day, So she the prioress told, Her gods were laid away: All teachings of the old, The things that she had learned, Through Burtnieks embraced.- In truth, Christ's faith she spurned, And death had rather faced! Laimdota is rescued by Koknesis One evening, having strayed With tears into her bed, To spirits good she prayed, That help to her be led. Then tumult loud began, Spread through the cloister's bounds, The people rushed and ran, And prayed with frightened sounds. At length the shouting died, Her room loud footsteps neared, Her door was opened wide, And in it there appeared Men all in armour clad, With weapons in their hand; The guards and monks were glad, There at their side to stand. One monk with glutton's face Spoke to the armoured ranks: "The pagan take apace- We give her up with thanks. For long enough has she This sacred place defiled; Take her and ride out free, And cleanse our cloister mild." The monks she loud implored, The prioress to call, Protection to afford, That nothing should befall. But they refused as one- The reason was well known, For with each other nun The prioress had flown. Of plunderers in fear, Their church the nuns sought fast, And forth would not appear, Until all risk was past.- Then iron-clad hands with force Laimdota dragged outside; They flung her on a horse, And made away to ride. But blocking them their place, A single man they saw. He held an iron mace, And shook it with a roar: "Release this blameless girl, Surrender now and leave, Or with this club I whirl My arm your skulls will cleave!" Surprised to hear this call, At first they heeded well, But then as one they all Upon the stranger fell.- At this the man revealed Strength others cannot show; With skill he used his shield, And parried every blow. He swung his club with hate Against each armoured head; The men who felt its weight With cloven helmet bled.- He struck the one with force, Whose steed Laimdota bore; The man fell from his horse, And loose his helmet tore. The earl's son all espied, Who lay before their eyes. "You dog," the stranger cried, "You cur in Christian guise! Know that this free-born girl Is to such honour heir, Unworthy any earl, For her her cup to bear!" "In virtue without lapse, In woman's form and face, In Germany, perhaps, No equal has your race!" "Go! To your comrades run; Tell them, in Baltic land Each free-born woman's son Will crush them by his hand, As I tonight did here! Your life this day I spare- But if our lands you near, Then face me if you dare!"