“Canst thou procure my horse again,
My good sword and hauberk tried?
Then for thy sake it will be,
I a course with him will ride.
“Carvel is my stall-brother true,
To his ears ’twill doubtless come;
Rather would I lose my life
Than the fiend should bear thee home.”
“The best food which thou shalt choose
I for thee will straight provide;
And I will give thee thy steed again,
Which thou lovest best to ride.
“I will give thee the strongest sword
E’er that armed a warrior’s side;
Give thee too a faulchion hard,
Well thereon thou may’st confide.”
Olger from the tower they took,
Garments for him have they wrought;
They sat him highest at the board,
And rich meats for him they brought.
Burman riding came to court,
Thought to bear the maid away;
Olger the Dane against him rode,
And soon found him rougher play.
For two days they stoutly fought,
As the third towards evening drew
Down upon a stone they sat,
They their strength would there renew.
Then the valiant Burman kemp,
To the Danish Olger said:
“Quarter I will grant, if thou
Wilt believe in Mahommed.”
Little could brook that, Olger the Dane,
On his foe fierce looks he bent:
“When thou dwell in blackest hell
Say by Olger thou wast sent.”
Up then leapt the kempions twain,
’Gainst each other rode anew;
Then asunder went their helms,
And afar their faulchions flew.