the fairies, because she went round the church 'wider shins'--the
opposite way to the sun. She is now in the Dark Tower of the King of
Elfland; it would take the boldest knight in Christendom to bring her
back."

"If it is possible to bring her back," said her brother, "I'll do it,
or perish in the attempt."

"Possible it is," said the Warlock Merlin, "but woe to the man or
mother's son that attempts it, if he is not well taught beforehand
what he is to do."

The eldest brother of Burd Ellen was not to be put off, by any fear of
danger, from attempting to get her back, so he begged the Warlock
Merlin to tell him what he should do, and what he should not do, in
going to seek his sister. And after he had been taught, and had
repeated his lesson, he set out for Elfland.

But long they waited, and longer still,
With doubt and muckle pain,
But woe were the hearts of his brethren,
For he came not back again.

Then the second brother got tired and sick of waiting, and he went to
the Warlock Merlin and asked him the same as his brother. So he set
out to find Burd Ellen.

But long they waited, and longer still,
With muckle doubt and pain,
And woe were his mother's and brother's heart,