The first charge they together rode,
They were two champions so tall;
He cut at the king's sister's son,
That his head to the ground did fall.
Back then rode the champions six,
And dressed themselves in fur;
Then went into the lofty hall,
The aged king before.
And it was then the aged king,
He tore his gray hairs in woe.
"Ye must avenge my sister's son's death;
I will sables and martins bestow."[163]
Back then rode the champions six,
They thought the reward to gain,
But they remained halt and limbless;
By loss one doth wit obtain.
And he slew wolves and bears,
All before the high chambér;
Then taketh he out the maiden free
Who so long had languished there.
And now hath Lady Hermolin
Escaped from all harm;
Now sleeps she sweet full many a sleep,
On brave Sir Thynnè's arm.
And now has brave Sir Thynnè
Escaped all sorrow and tine;
Now sleeps he sweet full many a sleep,
Beside Lady Hermolin.
Most thanketh he Ulva, the little Dwarf's daughter
Who him with the runes had bound,
For were he not come inside of the hill,
The lady he never had found.[164]
Proud Margaret.
Proud Margaret's[165] father of wealth had store,
Time with me goes slow.—
And he was a king seven kingdoms o'er,
But that grief is heavy I know.[166]