“Steel, glowing steel, I will bear on my hand,
And of crime with Child Stig I acquitted will stand.”
Long stood the Dane King, full of thought was his head:
“With no better man I my sister can wed.”
All hearts in the Dane King’s palace were gay,
The Dane King has given his sister away.
There was pleasure and smiling in every look,
For his beloved Lady Child Stig the maid took.
Child Stig he brews ale, and the wine doth prepare,
He the Dane King invites to his castle so fair.
The King and his gallant men all biddeth he,
And the Queen of the Danes of the party should be.
Outspake the fair Queen, on her steed as she rode:
“Methinks I behold of Child Stig the abode.”
And thereto the page at her bridle replied:
“Of Stig the brave castle is known far and wide.
“Within with the richest of gold it is graced,
Without with white silver ’tis all over cased.”
And, lo, when the gate of the castle they gained,
Five shaggy white bears stood before it enchained.