And they placed Hafbur, son of the King,
Fast bounden in the castle hall;
Both maid and dame to see him came,
And his own maiden first of all.
They Hafbur took, the son of the King,
And in strong irons him they laid;
In woeful mood before him stood
Full speedily his loving maid.
To him with burning tears she spake:
“If Hafbur thou consent will give,
My good aunts three on bended knee
Shall intercede that thou shalt live.
“My father threatens steadfastly
To hang thee on the oaken bough,
Upon the moor at early hour
Before again the sun shall glow.”
Then answered young King Hafbur bold,
And in high wrath the Hero spake:
“Too light I heed my life, to need
That women prayer for me should make.
“Hear, Signild, hear, do thou show clear
This day for me thy love is great;
When in the string thou see me swing
Within thy bower burn thee straight.”
Then answered him proud Signelil,
With streaming eyes and heaving breast:
“By the God above, my dearest love,
I’ll grant to thee thy last request.”
From out the gate they Hafbur led,
The King’s good son, at solemn pace;
For him sore cried all him that eyed,
So hard and stern they thought his case.
And when they reached the verdant plain,
Where he the gallant youth should die;
He begged he might have a short respite,
He’d prove his Signe’s constancy.
“Do ye hang up my mantle red,
That Sivard King the same may see;
He may repent, and yet prevent
Young Hafbur’s hanging on a tree.”