Then answer’d him the youthful King,
As sly he laughed his cap below:
“The Lady’s yes and willingness
Were ready as mine own I trow.”
Then answer made the young Marsk Stig,
With a darkling brow and kindling eye:
“’Tis a saying true and an old one too
That insult follows injury.
“Thou’st forc’d my housewife, and hast brought
Distress and shame upon our head;
But know one thing, my gracious King,
Thy life to Stig is forfeited.”
Then as he turn’d him from the Ting
He doff’d his hat with knightly pride;
“Ye good men here in memory bear
I have the traitor King defied.”
“Now do thou hear, Sir Marsk Stig dear,
Cease, cease such frantic talk to hold;
And I’ll bestow on thee enow
Of castles, land, and ruddy gold.
“Eight castles fair, the best that are
In all the land where dwells the Dane,
May well atone for what is done,
Receive them and my friend remain.”
“I do not care for your castles fair,
Castles enow I have already,
I wish undone the deed upon
The body of my virtuous Lady.”
“Marsk Stig! Marsk Stig! ride not so high,
I hope to guard myself, proud Earl!
Although thou be my enemy,
I trust I run no mighty peril.”
“However high, Sir King, I ride,
Thou lov’st to play a higher part;
Hast thou ne’er heard the olden word
That power must often yield to art?
“I’m not so mighty nor so strong
That I can hope to bar thy way,
But oft I’ve seen a greyhound keen
Alone the antler’d monarch slay.