"The oath I make to Balder's son*
Of high renown,
And if I fail, may he not shun
To strike me down."
*Forsete
The boy sat on the shield so high
As 'twere a throne~
Undaunted as the eaglet's eye
Looks toward the sun.
At last impatient grew his blood,
And to the ground,
The child leaped down and fearless stood ;—
A kingly bound!
Then rose the cry from all the thing:
"We of the North,
We choose but thee, be like king Ring,
Thou shield-borne youth.
"And Fridthjof shall a guardian be,
Thy youth to guide;
His mother, earl, we give to thee,
To be thy bride."
But Fridthjof frowned: "To-day," said he,
"Election make,
But not a bridal; leave to me
A bride to take.
"To Balder's temple I'll repair,
I go to see
The norns who are already there
Awaiting me.
"With them a council I have willed,
The shield-maids true,—
Beneath the tree of time they build,
Above it too.
"Against me Balder's anger sore
Doth still abide;
He took, he only can restore
My cherished bride."