“And e’en thou, Niels Ebbesen,
Certain courtiers hast with thee,
Who have eaten of my bread,
And have basely quitted me.
“First there is young Eske Frost,
And his stalwart brothers two;
Without leave of mine obtained,
From my service they withdrew.
“More there are whom I’ve obliged,
And who pay me now no heed;
If to Bugge’s rede you list
Soon ye’ll see how you will speed.”
“Nought of Bugge’s rede I know,
What he’ll do or leave undone;
Eske thy true servant was,
Cast no blame that knight upon.
“Eske Frost’s a gallant man,
Guards his honour like his eye;
Sought he his discharge to gain,
Why to him didst it deny?
“Custom ’tis in Danish land,
And has been from days of eld,
That the man who will not serve
Shall not be to serve compell’d.
“No two things, save Monk and cowl,
Are for aye together tied;
As they loathe or like their place
Courtmen ride away or bide.”
It was Count Sir Gert, could not
Such like reasoning understand:
“No one ought to quit his lord
Whilst that lord would him command.
“And, Sir Niels, too long thou hast
Here stood idly chattering;
Either thou shalt Denmark quit,
Or thou shalt on gallows swing.
“’Neath safe convoy since thou’rt come
Thou shalt go withouten hurt;
To thy cost else thou should’st learn
What it is to anger Gert.”