“And have I avenged him, sire o’ mine?
Thou shalt have no day for avenging thine.”
He seized the babe amain,
And hewed it straight in twain.
“Cease, good sword, thy thirst to slake!
Bide thou still, for God his sake!”
Wearily whispered the sword and still—
“Fain of thy blood I’d have my fill!
“Hadst thou not named my name, I vow
I would have slain thee, here and now!”
Forward, hurrah! ride forward.
THE AVENGING DAUGHTERS
Elder to younger said
(For him who first loved me),
“Sister, wilt thou not wed?”
(She dwells beneath the greenwood tree.)
“None will I wed while I draw breath
Till I have avenged our father’s death.”
“Thou speak’st an idle word,
We have neither mail nor sword.”