SOURCE: "The Erl-King's Daughter" by M. G. Lewis (Tales of Wonder, 1801) .

DESCRIPTION: "'...The Erl-King's proud daughter presents him her hand..." ("The Erl-King's Daughter" by M. G. Lewis)

NOTES: Like her father, The Erl-King, the daughter tries to tempt the soul's out of people. Instead of a young baby it is a handsome young knight about to marry. When the knight refuses her gifts of gold helmets and silk shirts, she curses him by touching his heart. If he kisses his true love she will die. He can't allow this so he goes off into the forest and dies himself.

HISTORY: This version of the poem is based on a Danish legend. The biggest difference is that the daughter is trying to seduce the knight. naughty! Joan Aiken used this poem as the basis for her novel The Erl King's Daughter.

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