“And I possess full wit enow
That vision to explain;
If to the Hvenish land ye go
There’ll many a man be slain.”
Out rode the valiant brothers where
The river rolled its tide,
There they the Mermaid found asleep
Beneath a green hill’s side.
“Awake, awake, thou Mermaiden,
Thou creature wondrous fair;
Say, will my life in danger be
If I to Hven repair?”
“O turn thee, Hero Hogen, back,
Thou art a knight so bold,
Thou dost in thy own land possess
Full many a tower and hold.
“Return, return to thine own land,
Seek not the warrior joust,
If thou dost to thy sister go
Thy young life it will cost.”
It was the Hero Hogen then
His sword he straight drew out;
It was the wretched Mermaiden
From whom the head he smote.
“By thee I now am prophesied,
And dead thou liest there;
I to the land of Hven will go,
Soon as the wind is fair.”
Then forward went the heroes two,
They found the ferry-house:
“Arise, arise, good ferryman,
And come here out to us.
“Now listen what I say to thee,
Convey us o’er the Sound,
And I will give thee this gold ring,
It weighs full fifteen pound.”
“Thy bright gold ring keep thou thyself,
I it will not possess,
I never to the town should come
But ’twould bring me distress.