Hafbur and Signe: a ballad

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
Young Hafbur King and Sivard King They lived in bitter enmity; ’Twas Signe proud that caused their feud, Of maidens all the fairest she.
It was youthful Hafbur King Awaked at midnight with a bound, And full of dread he straightway said His wondrous dream to all around.
“Methought I was in heaven’s domain, Within that place so fair to view, And held to my breast my loved one prest, When down we fell the cloudlets through.”
And there sat all the Dames and maids And little heeded what he said; But lent an ear his mother dear, ’Twas she alone attention paid.
“My son do thou to the mountain go, And look that thou dost go with speed; The Daughter demand of Elfin land, And she to thee thy dream will rede.”
It was young King Hafbur bold In his left hand he took his blade, And away he hied to the mountain’s side To seek the lovely elfin maid.
With his fingers white he thrice tapped light Upon the mountain’s side so green; The daughter of Elle lay awake, and well Could guess what did that tapping mean.
“Hail, daughter fair of Elfland’s King, Whom here I see in costly wede! I beg for love of the God above That thou to me my dream wilt rede.
“Methought I was in Heaven’s domain, Within that place so fair to view, And held to my breast my loved one prest, When down I sank the cloudlets through.”