Then there was silk, and scarlet cloth,
So wide on the earth outspread;
On Dagmar wait both Dames and maids,
To Ribe house she was led.
So early in the morning tide
Ere the sun illumed the lift,
’Twas young and beauteous Dagmar Queen
That craved her morning gift.
“The first, first boon that I crave of thee,
My heart’s beloved lord,
Let Bishop Valdemar leave his tower
And be to his friends restor’d.
“The second boon I most earnestly crave,
Nor must thou that refuse,
Take off from each plough the tax that’s on,
And from prison the captives loose.”
“Desist, desist from thy first prayer,
Desist, my Dagmar dear,
If Valdemar Bishop come but out,
He’ll widow thee in a year.”
She took the gold crown off her brow,
On the table that she set:
“O what shall I do in Denmark, now
My request denial has met?”
“Straight fetch to me hither Sir Strange knight,
And Younker Canute to me call,
They shall away to Oringsdorg
And the prisoners free from thrall.”
And when from the tower forth he came
Nor walk nor stand he mought:
“Therein for full twelve years I sat,
So long the time I thought.”
A golden comb his sister took,
And combed his yellow hair;
For every lock of his she smoothed
She shed a briny tear.
“And do thou hear, dear sister mine,
Ne’er sorrow for my sake;
If I one single year survive
I’ll well my wrongs ywrake.”