The queen she sat in the high, high, loft,
And thence look’d far and wide:
“O there comes Sivard Snaresvend,
With a stately oak at his side.”
Then loud laugh’d fair Queen Gloriant,
As she look’d on Sivard full:
“Thou wert, no doubt, in great, great need,
When thou such flowers didst pull.”
The King he stood at the castle gate,
In his robes and kingly crown:
“O there comes Sivard Snaresvend,
And he brings us Summer to town.”[22]
Now dance the heroes by Brattingsborg;
They dance in their coats of felt;
There dances Sivard, the purblind swain,
With an oak tree under his belt.
VIDRIK VERLANDSON.
FROM THE OLD DANISH.
King Diderik sits in the halls of Bern,
And he boasts of his deeds of might;
So many a swain in battle he’s fell’d,
And taken so many a knight.
King Diderik sits in the halls of Bern,
And he strikes his moony shield;
“O, would that I knew of a hero now,
’Gainst whom I could take the field.”
Then answer’d Master Hildebrand,
(For he knew all things best,)
“There sleeps a Giant at Birtingsberg;
Dar’st thou disturb his rest?”
“Now, hear me, Master Hildebrand;
Thou art huge in body and limb;
Thou foremost shall ride, in the wood, this day,
And bear our challenge to him.”
Then answer’d Master Hildebrand,
So careful a knight was he;
“Not so, my Lord, will I do, this day,
For the wages delight not me.”