“Harken now, young Danneved,
And give thou heed to me!
A troop of thy deadly foemen
Are lying in wait for thee.”
“First I trust my goodly sword,
And next my steed so tall,
And then I trust my Danish men—
But myself the most of all.”
“First trustest thou thy goodly sword,
And next thy steed so tall—
Then trustest thou thy Danish men
Will fail thee first of all.”
It was gallant Danneved
Rode forth i’ the gloaming grey—
And there he saw his foemen,
Three lances’ length away.
There he saw his foemen,
Three lances’ length away—
Then took they leave, his meiné,
To flee from him that day.
Leave took all his meiné
To turn and flee away,
All save the lad so little,
Who straight did up and say:
“Lo! thy bread I’ve eaten,
And I have worn thy weed;
And I will stand by thee to-day
To help thee in thy need.
“I thy sword have sharpened,
And I have stalled thy steed;
And I will stand by thee to-day
To help thee in thy need.”
They drew their ranks together
All by the greenwood bower—
Five there fought a couple
With mickle strength and stour.
They drew their ranks together
Under the greenwood tree—
Five there fought a couple—
A fearful fight to see.