W88 
 
 WOOING-. OF KING SIGUfiD
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 OF
 
 THE WOOING OF KING SIGURD, 
 AND THE BALLAEK OF THE 
 
 PAGE AND THE KING'S 
 DAUGHTER.
 
 THE 
 
 WOOING OF KING SIGURD, 
 
 AND THE BALLAD OF THE 
 
 PAGE AND THE KING'S 
 
 DAUGHTER. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM GEIBEL BY 
 
 ELLEN COOK. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS BY M. B. AND M. I. B., 
 LITHOGRAPHED BY M. I. BOOTH. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET. 
 1864.
 
 THE BALLAD OF THE KING 
 SIGURD. 
 
 KING SIGURD'S BRIDAL VOYAGE. 
 i. 
 
 had come. No more the fnow-drifts 
 flood 
 On the hill fides; fweet violets fill'd the 
 
 wood; 
 
 The blue waves danced along, from ice fet free, 
 When grey-hair'd king Sigurd put forth to fea. 
 
 ii. 
 
 He fpread his fails from far Upfala's ftrand, 
 Coafting along the more, from land to land, 
 To levy gifts, and ufe the ancient right 
 That each fhould take what beft him pleafed, by might. 
 
 in. 
 
 The ninth morn on their voyage gaily laugh'd, 
 Each fkald and knight his firft caroufe had quaff'd, 
 'Midft fails and cordage May winds foftly play'd, 
 When on a fmiling more their courfe they ftay'd. 
 
 
 91791"
 
 'The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thus fpake the king, when on the land they ftood- 
 " So joyful beats my heart, fo light my mood, 
 " I know not if the fpring-tide makes me gay, 
 " Or our good wine a youth I feel to-day." 
 
 v. 
 
 Further they ftrode along the yellow fand, 
 On booty bent ; when lo ! a lovely band 
 Of merry girls to wafh their garments troop'd, 
 To where fome elders o'er a brooklet ftoop'd. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Gaily they work'd, and fang in fportive mood 
 Over their toil ; their miftrefs by them ftood, 
 A maiden fair, who on her mantle wore 
 A jewell'd clafp ; her wrift a falcon bore. 
 
 VII. 
 
 In her fweet youth me ftood, her rofy face 
 Beam'd like the early morn ; with wondrous grace 
 Her golden curls fell o'er her girlifh form, 
 And put the mining of her clafp to fcorn. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Then, deeply muring, fpake the king Sigurd : 
 
 " A lovely maiden, by my royal word ! 
 
 " Spite of my age, her for my bride I'll take" 
 
 He thought " or fure for love my heart will break."
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Then to his fkalds f c Who is the maid ? how named ? " 
 " The child, oh king! of Alf the Wife, far famed; 
 " Alfsonne is her name, becaufe her hair 
 " Gleams golden as the funfhine, and as fair. 
 
 x. 
 
 " For matchlefs purity the maiden's known, 
 ec Two brothers guard her honour as their own, 
 " Called Alfblond-bart and Eric Harfenmall, 
 " Since Alf the Wife feafts in Valhalla's hall." 
 
 XI. 
 
 Then thus the king " Bleft be the hour, fair maid, 
 " When, led by love, thy fteps by me have ftay'd : 
 " Ah ! might I beg thee, fweeteft one, to bring 
 " A draught of water from that cryftal fpring ? " 
 
 XII. 
 
 Alfsonne ran and fill'd, the veffel brought ; 
 
 Slowly king Sigurd drank, as thus he thought : 
 
 " Here quaff I love and youth." Old fool, and vain ! 
 
 To dream fuch treafures can be thine again ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Then fmiling fpake he " Thanks to thee I owe 
 " For this cool draught ; but fweeter drink, I know, 
 " The red wine fparkling on thy rofy lip, 
 " Banquet for gods, love from fuch mouth to fip.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 " By day and night how gladly would I tafte 
 " Such draughts divine." Then angrily, in hafte 
 Spake, red with mame and fcorn, the lovely maid : 
 " I fee thou art a ftranger hither ftray'd : 
 
 xv. 
 
 " A noble damfel doft thou dare accoft 
 " As fome bafe hireling to all virtue loft ? 
 " Such wanton trifling, wert thou e'en a king, 
 " Would foul difhonour on thy grey beard bring." 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Then, in her anger, down the ftream fhe threw 
 Her water jar ; the fhatter'd fragments ftrew 
 The flinty bed ; whilft me, like fnow-white hind, 
 Fled fwift along the banks, fleet as the wind 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Follow'd her bird. Amazed flood Sigurd there, 
 Till then he had not deem'd me was fo fair ; 
 Stroking his beard he cried in accents ftern 
 " To Alfheim, warriors! now our fteps we turn."
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 How KING SIGURD CAME TO ALFHEIM. 
 
 i. 
 
 AY banners waved from Alfheim's ancient walls, 
 The time was May, and mufic fill'd the halls, 
 When news was brought, which ftartled every 
 
 ear, 
 That king Sigurd from the fea more drew near. 
 
 n. 
 
 They ftrode to meet him from their caftle's wall, 
 Thofe two brave heroes, Eric Harfenmall 
 And Alf blond-bart ; not joyful was their mood, 
 Their fitter's danger well they underftood. 
 
 in. 
 
 Upon the bridge they ftay'd to council take : 
 " A dream dream'd I laft night," young Eric fpake ; 
 " I faw a kingly vulture from aloft 
 " Swoop down upon a white dove, fair and foft. 
 
 IV. 
 
 " The fnow-white dove I fhelter'd in my breaft, 
 " The vulture ftill his fell defign hard prefs'd 
 " And kilPd the dove, which, brother mine, I fear 
 " Was our Alfsonn' the vulture, Sigurd here.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 v. 
 
 " How mall we guard her, if he feeks the maid ?" 
 " Wear weourfwords for nought?" Alf blond-bart faid ; 
 " Our fhields and corflets ? ne'er fhall our fweet May 
 " In the cold arms of aged winter lay." 
 
 VI. 
 
 Whilft thus they fpoke, arofe a wild mrill found 
 Of cymbals, trumpets, from the plains around ; 
 Amidft his warriors king Sigurd draws near, 
 In feftal garments all his train appear. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Upon the bridge where Alfheim's banners fwell'd 
 Came Alf to meet him ; in his hand he held 
 A golden cup with jewels on the rim, 
 And fill'd with coftly wine e'en to the brim. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 With homage due the grey-hair'd king he meets, 
 His prefence with the loving-cup he greets ; 
 Low bow the men of Alf's and Eric's houfe : 
 He takes the cup, but drinks no deep caroufe. 
 
 IX. 
 
 " I will not drink nor reft me by your fires," 
 He faid, " till I have told my heart's defires : 
 " My head is grey, but rich my court and rare, 
 " A golden crown is worth your golden hair.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 X. 
 
 I love your fifter, wifh her for my bride ; 
 She muft go with me, feated by my fide, 
 Her locks of gold will gild my old roof tree, 
 And Alfsonne mail Sigurd's funmine be." 
 
 XI. 
 
 Then fpake Alfblond-bart with a darkening frown, 
 ff Brief queftion needs brief anfwer, from our town : 
 c< If fuch your object, go ye hence in peace, 
 " And Sigurd prithee let your love fong ceafe. 
 
 XII. 
 
 f< In winter days, when fnow and hail fall faft, 
 tf No rofe is gather'd ; and in ages paft 
 " He was a favage who from home would tear 
 " A youthful maid your wooing take elfewhere." 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Then ftood king Sigurd dumb, as turn'd to ftone, 
 Or as fome wretch is ftruck through blood and bone 
 By Odin's lightning ; mame to think that he 
 To whom all heroes bent the willing knee, 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Should be fo fcorn'd. Quick rufh'd the hot red blood 
 
 Up to his brow, and in his angry mood 
 
 So hard he prefs'd the gold and jewell'd cup, 
 
 That high towards heaven the wine flew fparkling up.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Then cried he, turning to the caftle wall, 
 " Farewell Blond-bart, and Eric Harfenfliall ; 
 " Farewell fweet Alfsonn' by my kingly word, 
 " Ye foon fhall learn how woos the king Sigurd." 
 
 How THE BROTHERS AND SISTER TOOK 
 COUNCIL. 
 
 i. 
 
 [IKE flame in ftraw is youthful love and rage, 
 Like glowing iron is love and hate in age ; 
 This mail the two bold brothers fhortly know, 
 And golden- hair'd Alfsonne to her woe. 
 
 ii. 
 
 The time had come when 'neath the greenwood trees 
 One feeks cool made, and on the fummer breeze 
 Is borne the nightingale's fweet fong, when fped 
 To Alfheim in wild hafte, his fpurs all red, 
 
 m - 
 
 A knight, who cried " With trumpet's fudden call 
 " Enraged Sigurd bade his warriors all 
 " Bring horfes, chariots, and fuch warlike ftore 
 " On board his fleet, a hundred (hips and more.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 " And he has fworn a ftern and folemn vow, 
 " Ne'er from Alfheim to turn his veflel's prow 
 " Without Alfsonne. Now council muft be held, 
 " With favouring winds his fails e'en now are fwell'd. 
 
 v. 
 
 Then fpake young Eric, " Swear I by my life, 
 " Our fifter ne'er mail be king Sigurd's wife." 
 <c It muft not be ; to dwell near ice would kill 
 " Our rofe." Cried Alf, " confent we never will ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Upon the blood-ftain'd heather will I lie ; 
 " More joyful far, more joyful fee her die, 
 " And breathe her frefh young life out up above, 
 " Than fee her wed a man me cannot love." 
 
 vir. 
 
 At a high cafement, fad with care they fpake, 
 Above the fea ; upon their fight now brake, 
 Like fwallows' flight, a mafs of fnow-white fail ; 
 'Twas Sigurd's fleet fuch numbers muft prevail. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 On board the mips the funlight flam'd and glared, 
 On polim'd coats of fteel, and fpears were bared 
 As thick as ears of corn in harveft days ; 
 With calm ftern eyes the brothers ftand and gaze.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IX. 
 
 They fought the upper room, where fat the maid 
 Alfsonne, in her golden locks array'd, 
 Weaving a fnow-white garment, as me fang, 
 Small filvery boats in the bright fabric fprang. 
 
 x. 
 
 When me her brothers faw, in hafte Ihe fpeaks " 
 " Oh ! what has chafed the red blood from your cheeks ? 
 " Sure no flight thing has caufed fuch fudden fear." 
 Spake Alfblond-bart " The king Sigurd draws near. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " Ten thoufand fwords furround him as he lands, 
 " To force thee to his love he fierce demands ; 
 " Refift we cannot, fince our force is fmall : 
 " Who will thy honour guard mould we both fall ?" 
 
 XII. 
 
 When they had ceafed pale was Alfsonne's face, 
 Some few tears dropt, (me felt them no difgrace,) 
 From her fweet eyes, then fpake me " Brothers dear, 
 " I know what is my duty, have no fear. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Alf s daughter would prefer death's cold embrace 
 Rather than take in kingly bed a place 
 By Sigurd's fide. I have a deadly draught 
 Which will, I thank the gods, not fail when quafPd :
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 " My fole help now. Lo ! yonder on the ftrand 
 " I fee the helmets of his warrior band : 
 " Leave me awhile, my time is nearly come ; 
 " What one muft do is heft when quickly done." 
 
 xv. 
 
 With filent fteps ftrode Blondbart from the hall, 
 Kifs'd her upon the eyes brave Harfenmall, 
 Left me mould fee his tears, then all alone 
 They left Alfsonne. She made no idle moan, 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But ftept to a fmall mrine, whence from a nook 
 A golden cup and filver flafk me took, 
 Within was magic juice of blood-red hue, 
 Which fome foul witch one moonlit night did brew. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Out on the battlements (he pafs'd, there lay 
 All round her gleaming hills and feas ; the day 
 Caft its laft beams on rocky heights and wood 
 She ne'er had felt the world fo fair and good. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 ff Farewell," fhe cried, f{ oh, fun and day's fair light, 
 " Farewell, fweet fpring-time, my young life's delight ; 
 " No more in violet woods my fteps mall ftray ; 
 " Farewell, fweet ftreams, which oft have feen me play.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 " Ne'er mall I hear the gay birds fing again 
 
 " On bright May morn ; ah! ne'er fhall love's fweet pain 
 
 " Be mine. I am To young that life I crave 
 
 " Oh, king Sigurd, why force me to my grave?" 
 
 xx. 
 
 The contents of the golden cup me drank, 
 Then heavy fell her eyelids, and me fank 
 With white cold lips upon the ground, her hair 
 Fell like a golden veil all o'er her there. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Then ftillnefs fell on all furrounding things, 
 Daylight had vanim'd, when a found of wings 
 Was borne upon the breeze, her falcon dear 
 It was, who came to feek his miftrefs here. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 When lying there fo ftill Alfsonne he found, 
 Three times he flew in wheeling circles round, 
 As if to wake her ; finding it in vain, 
 He foar'd out in the moonlit air again.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 How ALF AND ERIC WERE SLAIN. 
 
 i. 
 
 ;N the cool morning hour, when the young day 
 All rofy cheek'd ftill on the mountains lay, 
 With clang of arms were Alfheim's meadows 
 
 rife, 
 'Twixt Alf s and Sigurd's men began the ftrife. 
 
 II. 
 
 Trembled the ground as horfes' hoofs rum'd by, 
 Danced helmet plumes, and banners waved on high ; 
 Hark how the fplinters fly from fpear and lance, 
 As clad in fteel the fquadrons quick advance. 
 
 in. 
 
 On mields and coat of mail rang ftrokes of fword, 
 Clatter'd the fhafts like hail ; the red blood pour'd 
 As ftreams let loofe ; there wreftled mortal foes, 
 Till o'er the plain the duft in clouds arofe. 
 
 IV. 
 
 King Sigurd on a brazen chariot flood, 
 
 In corflet of light fteel ; with dragon's blood 
 
 His battle axe, two-handed, had, by aid 
 
 Of dwarfs, been temper'd ; fire flafh'd from its blade. 
 
 \^f \ZS 
 
 01
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 v. 
 
 A vulture's head and claws of pureft gold 
 Upon his helm he bore, bright to behold ; 
 All o'er the battle plain at headlong fpeed 
 Led by his voice, bore him his coal-black fteed. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Ragnar his fon rode by king Sigurd's fide, 
 
 Surnamed The Grim ; though ftill in youth's fpring-tide, 
 
 Already bearded ; ftrife he loved fo well, 
 
 That loud he laugh'd as thick his fierce blows fell. 
 
 VII. 
 
 He fang " Upon the battle field there ftands 
 " A hedge of rofes ripe for heroes' hands, 
 " Valhalla's gates ope wide for thofe who fall, 
 " Then on, brave warriors ! here I pledge ye all." 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Into the thickeft of the fight they dafh'd 
 At fiery fpeed ; their chariot wheels were fplafh'd 
 With foemen's blood : to Alfheim drove they on, 
 And through the ranks their fword a pafTage won. 
 
 IX. 
 
 When Alfblond-bart king Sigurd's helm efpied, 
 
 " Behold the creft," to Eric then he cried, 
 
 " Of that fell vulture, who to her cold grave 
 
 " Brought our white dove : Ye gods, befriend the brave !"
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 X. 
 
 With fword upraifed upon the king he {prang 
 Ah ! then how faft fell blows 'midft deafening clang, 
 As Blond-bart ftruck with his relentlefs blade 
 In mad defpair to avenge that injured maid. 
 
 XI. 
 
 In Sigurd's coat of mail he fpied a rent 
 Wherein to thruft, but fiercely Ragnar fent 
 A blow with his huge axe full at his head : 
 Crafhing he fell, his fair beard ftain'd with red. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Vanifh'd his life, clofed were his angry eyes, 
 King Sigurd o'er his body where it lies 
 Drove his war chariot towards Harfenfhall, 
 Who wild with rage had mark'd his brother's fall. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 And, rifing in his ftirrup, hurl'd his fpear 
 Full at the vulture's creft as it drew near ; 
 Quick turn'd the king afide, the lance but tore 
 The mantle which he on his moulder wore. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 In rage he drove his chariot at his foe, 
 Till he could aim two-handed one fell blow, 
 Then fwung his battle-axe aloft, till bright 
 Like yellow flame it flam'd in the fun's light.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Through Eric's bridle the fharp angry fteel 
 Cut to his horfe's neck ; with fudden wheel, 
 Madden'd with pain, it gave one furious bound 
 And flung its matter backwards on the ground. 
 
 xvr. 
 
 His foot ftay'd in the ftirrup, whilft his fteed 
 O'er all the field dragg'd him at frantic fpeed, 
 Trailing his light brown hair; his youthful head 
 Laid low : Alfheim's fweet maids will mourn him dead. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 When Alfheim's warriors faw their leader flain 
 They foon gave way ; and o'er the battle plain, 
 Flinging away their arms, fled to the more, 
 Or to the diftant hills, and all was o'er. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 King Sigurd on his horn now blew a blaft, 
 The mrill note o'er the field had fcarcely paft 
 To call his warriors, when around they flood, 
 Their coats of mail deep dyed in hoftile blood. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 In happy mood he hail'd them one by one, 
 And bade them feek the ftrand, then to his fon 
 f( My hero Ragnar, well thou beared fteel ! 
 " Now flialt thou prove in fweeter toil thy zeal.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XX. 
 
 The field is ours, and fee ! the foemen flies : 
 Now bring Alfsonn' to me, my beauteous prize ! 
 To-day I wed the maid in royal ftate, 
 With eighty years there's little time to wait." 
 
 How KING SIGURD CELEBRATED HIS 
 BRIDAL DAY. 
 
 i. 
 
 JIDST Sigurd's fleet, near that fell field of fight, 
 Lay moor'd a fhip, all deck'd in colours bright ; 
 The mafts and top-mafts built of wood moft rare, 
 Whence coftly pennons flutter'd in the air. 
 
 ii. 
 
 Of fnow-white linen had the fails been made, 
 And e'en the cordage richeft filk difplay'd ; 
 Silver the anchor, and of bronze the helm, 
 Such was the bridal fhip worth half a realm. 
 
 in. 
 
 Hard by, upon the more, king Sigurd ftood, 
 Purple his mantle, radiant in his mood, 
 Full of deep love for that fweet maid he burns, 
 Whom Ragnar fought. Ah ! joy to grief oft turns.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Forth from the caftle drew young Ragnar nigh, 
 As o'er the plain fome ftorm hangs in the fky, 
 E'er fierce it burfts in crafh and lightning's play- 
 So on his youthful brow dark horror lay. 
 
 v. 
 
 Seven armed warriors follow'd him, who bore 
 A ftately bier with tapeftry thrown o'er ; 
 Slowly they ftepp'd with awe-ftruck fadden'd eyes, 
 Greeting the king, whofe foul within him dies. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Then Ragnar fpoke " Alas 1 bad news I bring, 
 " Like raven croaking muft I feem, oh king ! 
 " Here is Alfsonne, whom thy foul did crave, 
 " Thy bride me cannot be me weds the grave." 
 
 VII. 
 
 He beckon'd to his knights that they mould lay 
 Their burden down, then gently drew away 
 The hangings from the bier as on a bed 
 Behold the lovely maiden pale and dead. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 She lay, 'midft lily buds, as if in fleep ; 
 Clofed were her eyes, her cheeks their colour keep ; 
 Clothed in white garments, of all jewels bare, 
 Her only ornament her golden hair.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 IX. 
 
 When Sigurd faw the maid lie cold as fnow, 
 
 He felt as if right through his heart a blow 
 
 Were dealt by two-edged fword : by heaven he fwore 
 
 That love like this he ne'er had felt before. 
 
 x. 
 
 No tears he fhed, but flood with fad, fixed gaze, 
 And features fternly fet, as in amaze : 
 He look'd like marble image carved right well, 
 And filence deep through all the ranks there fell. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Long without motion ftay'd king Sigurd bent, 
 Then fudden raifed his head, and quick there went 
 A joyful flam from out his eyes, and bold 
 He braved his fate, heroic to behold. 
 
 XII. 
 
 He faid " The gods have work'd me grievous harm 
 " Thus to have fnatch'd my prize from this fond arm ; 
 " That I am (pared it boots not them to thank, 
 " What's life to me fince my bright fun has fank ? 
 
 XIII. 
 
 " For feventy years my fword I've borne in war, 
 " A hundred fights have feen my conquering car ; 
 " Return I will not mourning to my hall, 
 " An old man morn of love, of fame, of all.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 " I fwore a folemn oath to heaven," he cried, 
 " Ne'er to go home without my lovely bride ; 
 " Foul frame it were to give that oath the lie, 
 " No ! better far a kingly death to die. 
 
 " Now, warriors haften to the battle plain, 
 " And pile in heaps the bodies of the flain 
 " Upon the vefTel's deck, 'tis meet that fo 
 " I to Valhalla with my comrades go. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 " Then gently lay Alfsonne on her bier, 
 
 " Befide the helm, and brand of pine uprear ; 
 
 " 'Twill feem, when kindled with its flaming light, 
 
 " As wedding torch fit for a nuptial night. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 " Ragnar, farewell ! My brave, my hero boy ! 
 " To thee I leave my crown with heartfelt joy ; 
 " Farewell to all ; now let the murk play, 
 " And banners wave, 'tis Sigurd's bridal day !" 
 
 XVI II. 
 
 The fhip equipp'd, on deck the king calm ftrode, 
 No knight dare follow on that narrow road ; 
 He loofed the cable, then the cords which held 
 The fails flacken'd, till in the winds they fwell'd.
 
 The Ballad of the King Sigurd. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 'Midfl mufic went the fhip forth on its way, 
 As floats a dying fwan at clofe of day ; 
 On deck flood Sigurd, in his good right hand 
 The hero waved aloft a burning brand. 
 
 xx. 
 
 The leaping flames rofe mirror'd in the fea, 
 Whilft from the more came {lately melody, 
 Till fhip and hero vanifh'd 'neath the wave, 
 And thus king Sigurd found a fea-king's grave.
 
 A 
 
 BALLAD OF THE PAGE AND THE 
 KING'S DAUGHTER. 
 
 (TRANSLATED FROM GEIBEL.) 
 
 PART I. 
 
 i. 
 
 King rides forth to hunt to-day : 
 And 'midft the foreft trees 
 The hunter's horn, the hounds' deep bay, 
 Are borne upon the breeze. 
 
 ii. 
 And when the noontide pours its rays 
 
 Through tangled bufh and brake, 
 The King's fair daughter flowly ftrays, 
 
 Nor knows which path to take. 
 
 in. 
 Softly fhe rides, and by her fide 
 
 The Page with golden hair ; 
 And were fhe not a kingdom's pride, 
 
 They were a lovely pair.
 
 The Page and the Kings Daughter, 
 
 IV. 
 
 He looks on her, loud beats his heart, 
 Crimfon'd are brow and cheeks ; 
 
 They've reach'd the beech-trees' thickeft part 
 When glowing red he fpeaks. 
 
 v. 
 
 " To hide my grief, it is in vain, 
 
 Oh, Princefs, kind and fair ; 
 My heart it breaks with love's fweet pain, 
 
 Ah, liften to my prayer. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " If on that rofy mouth I might 
 
 Imprefs one fingle kifs, 
 The worft of deaths would feem but light 
 
 For fuch unhoped-for blifs." 
 
 VII. 
 
 She fays not " Yes" no anfwer makes, 
 But checks her palfrey's reins, 
 
 When from the faddle her he takes, 
 His hand her foot fuftains. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Down to the woodland's deepeft made 
 They fteal and tell their love ; 
 
 The nightingale fings in the glade, 
 Murmurs the turtle-dove.
 
 Ballad of the Page 
 
 IX. 
 
 The wild red rofes bloom around 
 
 Beneath the leafy fcreen ; 
 The green frefh mofs ftrews all the ground, 
 
 Meet bed for Love's foft Queen. 
 
 x. 
 
 Upon the mofTy bank they flay, 
 And let their horfes rove, 
 
 Nor hear the nightingale's fweet lay, 
 Nor horn wound in the grove. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Oh, hafte thee, King : the gold-haired Page 
 
 Is by thy daughter's fide ; 
 She, in his arms, forgets thy rage, 
 
 The world, and all befide. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 i. 
 
 OWN by the caftle of the King 
 
 Two ride along the fhore ; 
 On high the winds their ftorm-notes ring, 
 The waves advancing roar.
 
 and the Kings Daughter. 
 
 n. 
 
 Then to the Page in accents dread 
 Thefe words the King thus fpeaks : 
 
 " Who gave thee, friend, that rofe-bud red, 
 That rofe thy hat fafe keeps ? " 
 
 in. 
 
 " My mother gave me this red rofe 
 When me farewell did fay ; 
 
 In water every night it blows, 
 To bloom afrem next day." 
 
 IV. 
 
 Further along the winding creek 
 Still ride they fide by fide ; 
 
 The fea-gulls flying wildly mriek, 
 Moans the advancing tide. 
 
 v. 
 
 When thus the King : " Boy, tell me true, 
 
 Whofe is that lock of hair, 
 Which, as afide thy mantle flew, 
 
 Lay on thy bofom bare ? " 
 
 VI. 
 
 " That is my fitter's light brown hair, 
 
 'Tis fweet as rofe's fcent, 
 With fofteft filk it might compare, 
 
 She wept as thence I went."
 
 Ballad of the Page 
 
 VII. 
 
 Up the fteep rock their path now lay, 
 Where, carved in letters rude, 
 
 Are Runic rhymes of olden days, 
 When thus, in favage mood, 
 
 VIII. 
 
 A third time fpake the wrathful King : 
 " Ram boy, oh, tell to me, 
 
 Who gave thee that bright golden ring 
 I on thy finger fee ? " 
 
 IX. 
 
 " She who gave me this golden ring 
 Her heart likewife me gives ; 
 
 And me's the faireft maid, Sir King, 
 Who in thy kingdom lives." 
 
 x. 
 
 Then, red with anger, cried the King, 
 
 His eyes with fury burn : 
 " That ring it is my daughter's ring, 
 
 It's fparkle I difcern. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " And if, indeed, with wanton love 
 Thou'ft dared my child to woo, 
 
 Thy youthful life no plea mall prove, 
 In death thy crime thou'lt rue."
 
 and the Kings Daughter, 
 
 XII. 
 
 Then to his heart with weapon keen 
 He fmote him nought can fave ; 
 
 His blood the Runic flones between 
 Flows downwards to the waves. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Into the fea he did him fling : 
 
 " And, fince thou aim'ft fo high, 
 Go, feek the haunts where mermaids fing, 
 To win their queen, go try ! " 
 
 XIV. 
 
 To the King's caftle by the more 
 One horfeman rode alone, 
 
 Whilft out to Tea a body bore 
 The waves with ceafelefs moan. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 i. 
 
 HE Runic ftones one fummer night 
 
 Saw the mermaidens play : 
 'Midft rippling waters, breezes light, 
 And moon in heaven which lay.
 
 Ballad of the Page 
 
 ii. 
 
 They laugh, they fplam, their arms they lave 
 
 'Mongft water-lilies fair, 
 Their golden locks float on the wave, 
 
 Gliften their white limbs bare. 
 
 in. 
 
 A fedgy bearded merman, through 
 
 A horn of muflel-mell 
 Blows blafts to call the giddy crew, 
 
 But nought their mirth can quell. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Then cried the youngeft, laughing low, 
 " Ah, fee what I have here ! 
 
 A gleaming body white as fnow, 
 Or filver ihining clear. 
 
 v. 
 
 <e Upon a coral reef it lay, 
 
 I found it as I dived, 
 'Twas tangled in a branching fpray : 
 
 Say, what can be contrived!" 
 
 VI. 
 
 Around the body in a ring 
 
 They troop their Queen thus fpake 
 " So fair and fine this new-found thing, 
 
 A harp of it we'll make.
 
 and the Kings Daughter. 
 
 VII. 
 
 tc Come, old Sedge-Beard, my trufty friend, 
 Thou'rt wife in all things ftrange ; 
 
 A fword-fifh thee for horfe I'll fend, 
 So thou wilt work this change." 
 
 VV<- 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The merman comes, the body takes, 
 He labours fure and flow ; 
 
 The pegs he of the fingers makes, 
 Of the breaft-bone the bow. 
 
 IX. 
 
 He takes the Queen's bright golden hair, 
 And with it makes the firings ; 
 
 And foon the fummer night- winds bear 
 Strange founds upon their wings. 
 
 x. 
 
 The harp he ftrikes with chords fo clear, 
 
 The waves forget to moan, 
 The breezes hold their breath to hear 
 
 That foft and wondrous tone. 
 
 XI. 
 
 The fea-mews fettle on the ftrand, 
 The gold-fifh fwim around, 
 
 The winds and waters tranced ftand, 
 All charm'd by that fweet found.
 
 Ballad of the Page 
 
 XII. 
 
 The merman fings and plays all night, 
 
 Fatigue he doth not feel ; 
 The mermaids dance, till morn's red light, 
 
 In many a graceful wheel. 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 i. 
 
 HE lamps flafh in the King's high hall, 
 
 The flutes and viols play ; 
 The King's fair daughter leads the ball, 
 For 'tis her marriage-day. 
 
 ii. 
 
 A myrtle wreath is on her head, 
 But ne'er a word me fpeaks ; 
 
 Upon her breaft are rofes red, 
 But white as death her cheeks. 
 
 in. 
 
 All richly clad, with lordly air, 
 A Prince ftands by her fide ; 
 
 But, oh ! ten thoufand times more fair 
 The Page who for her died.
 
 and the Kings Daughter. 
 
 IV. 
 
 To pafs the wine, twelve maidens {land 
 
 Around the board of gold, 
 And Pages fwarm on every hand, 
 
 Who wreaths and torches hold. 
 
 v. 
 
 When fuddenly the lights dim burn, 
 
 The viols ceafe to play, 
 And from his throne the King fpeaks ftern, 
 
 ff What means this filence ? fay." 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Before thy caftle gates, Sir King, 
 We hear the merman's lay, 
 
 When to his harp we hear him fing, 
 Our mufic we muft flay." 
 
 VII. 
 
 And hark ! from out the fea there flow 
 
 Into the feftal hall, 
 Through the clear night, fweet founds and low 
 
 Which on their ears foft fall. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The found into the bride's foul fteals, 
 
 As if in that fame hour 
 Her dead love's prefence it reveals 
 
 By fome ftrange magic power. 
 
 -a*
 
 The Page and the Kings Daughter. 
 
 IX. 
 
 She knows not why, but from her eyes 
 Faft fall the tear-drops down ; 
 
 Upon her breaft the rofe-bud dies, 
 Low lies her myrtle crown. 
 
 x. 
 
 To the King's proud foul it pierced through, 
 
 He curfed it in his heart ; 
 The Prince to feek his charger flew, 
 
 And hurried to depart. 
 
 XI. 
 
 With broken heart the Bride lies dead, 
 For Grief hath power to kill : 
 
 And when the morning breaketh red, 
 The Merman's Harp is ftill. 
 
 CHISWICK PRESS: PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS, TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
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 1881 Wooing of King 
 
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 1881 
 
 1861* 
 
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