The Tale of Brynild, and King Valdemar and His Sister: Two Ballads

Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
by GEORGE BORROW
London: printed for private circulation 1913
Copyright in the United States of America by Houghton , Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter .
Sivard he a colt has got, The swiftest ’neath the sun; Proud Brynild from the Hill of Glass In open day he won.
Unto her did of knights and swains The very flower ride; Not one of them the maid to win Could climb the mountain’s side.
The hill it was both steep and smooth; Upon its lofty head Her sire had set her, knight nor swain He swore with her should wed.
Soon to the Danish monarch’s court A messenger repaired, To know if there was any one To try the adventure dared.
’Twas talked about, and Sivard then His purpose soon made known; Said he: “I’ll try upon my colt To bring Brynilda down.”
He rode away, the way was far, The path was of the worst; He saw the shining Glass Hill, where The maid her durance curs’d.
And he away proud Brynild bore, Nor deemed the adventure hard; To bold Sir Nielus her he gave To show him his regard.
Proud Brynild and proud Signelil Those maids of beauteous mien, Down to the river’s side they went Their silken robes to clean.