There sat the herd, he sat in thought;
To ne’er a question he answer’d aught.
Svend gave him a stroke, a stroke so sore,
That his lung and his liver came out before.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
On, on went he, till more sheep he spied;
The herd sat, too, by a deep pit’s side.
“Now tell me, Herd, and tell me fair,
Whose are the sheep thou art tending there?”
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
“See yonder house, with turret and tower,
There feasting serves to beguile the hour;
There dwells a man, Tyggé Nold by name,
With his twelve fair sons, who are knights of fame.”
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
“Enough, Sir Herd; now lend an ear—
Go, tell Tyggé Nold to come out here.”
From his breast Svend Vonved a gold ring drew;
At the foot of the herd the gold ring he threw.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
And as Svend Vonved approach’d the spot,
His booty among them they ’gan to allot.
Some would have his polish’d glaive,
Others, his harness, or courser brave.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
Svend Vonved stops, in reflection deep;
He thought it best he his horse should keep:
His hauberk and faulchion he will not lose,
Much rather to fight the youth will choose.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
“Had’st thou twelve sons to the twelve thou hast,
And cam’st in the midst of them charging me fast,
Sooner should’st thou wring water from steel,
Than thou in such fashion with me should’st deal.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
He prick’d with his spur his courser tall,
Which sprang, at once, over the gate and wall.
Tyggé Nold there he has stretch’d in blood,
And his twelve sons too, that beside him stood.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
Then turn’d he his steed, in haste, about,—
Svend Vonved, the knight, so youthful and stout;
Forward he went o’er mountain and moor,
No mortal he met, which vex’d him sore.
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.
He came, at length, to another flock,
Where a herd sat combing his yellow lock:
“Now listen, Herd, with the fleecy care;
Listen, and give me answers fair.”
Look out, look out, Svend Vonved.