“If there be one of the Dane king’s men,
Who at Dyst [21] is willing to ride,
Let him, I pray, without pause or delay,
Meet me by the wild wood’s side.
“The man among you, ye Danish court men,
Who at Dyst has won most meeds;
Him I am ready to fight, this day,
For both of our noble steeds.”
The heroes cast the die on the board;
The die it roll’d so wide:
“Since, young Sir Humble, it stops by thee,
’Gainst Sivard thou must ride.”
Sir Humble struck his hand on the board;
No longer he lists to play:
I tell you, forsooth, that the rosy hue
From his cheek fast faded away.
“Now, hear me, Vidrik Verlandson;
Thou art so free a man;
Do lend me Skimming, thy horse, this day;
I’ll pledge for him what I can:
“Eight good castles, in Birting’s land,
As pledges for him I’ll set;
My sister too, the lily-cheek’d maid,
A fairer thou ne’er hast met:
“Eight good castles, and eight good knights;
I’d scorn to offer thee less:
If Skimming should meet any hurt this day,
My sister thou shalt caress.”
“If yonder mountains all were gold,
And yonder streams were wine;
The whole for Skimming I would not take;
I bless God he is mine.
“Sivard is a purblind swain;
Sees not to his faulchion’s end:
If Skimming were hurt thou couldst not pay me
With the help of thy every friend.
“The sword it whirls in Sivard’s hand,
As whirl the sails of the mill;
If thou take Skimming ’gainst that wild fool,
’T is sorely against my will.”