Must in a far-off kingdom be kept in bondage bitter;

And I, poor queen and mother, shall know no bliss, and my heart will ne’er grow lighter.”

[942]

Then said the Danish Fru-te: “The maid we cannot free

Until once more your kingdom shall full of warriors be.

Then, for the struggle ready, we hence shall ride, unfearing;

And so upon our foemen shall work the greatest ill with blows unsparing.”

[943]

To this Queen Hilda answered: “That day may God soon give;

But I, unhappy woman, a weary life must live.