Ulf Van Yern, and Other 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 .
It was youthful Ulf Van Yern Goes before the King to stand: “To avenge my father’s death Lend me warriors of thy band.”
“Of my kemps I’ll lend thee them Who to follow thee consent; Ask’st thou Vidrik Verlandson Thou wilt further thy intent.
“I will lend thee of my men, Thou shalt have the very flower; Vidrik, and stark Diderik, Many kemps have felt their power.
“They are heroes strong and bold Who have battles often won; Feared are they in every land Where their names’ renown has gone.”
In walked he, the good Dane King, Glittering like the morning star: “Which of ye, my Danish swains, Will attend my friend to war?”
Stalked the King along the floor, Bore a gold cup in his hand: “Which of ye, my courtmen, will, Follow Wolf with shield and brand?”
To their mouths their hats they held, None to answer him made haste, Save bold Vidrik Verlandson, Of them all he made a jest.
It was Vidrik Verlandson Of his comrades made a sport: “Sure ’tis but to guzzle mead We are gathered here at court.”