When walked that maiden beside him, whom the hero fain would woo.
Then many a knight was thinking: “Ah me, that my bliss it were
Even so to be pacing beside her, as he is pacing there!
And O in mine arms to clasp her!—how fain thereof had I been!”
Yet who might begrudge?—never hero was so worthy to win a queen.
From what far land soever those guests had come, each thane
Had eyes, in all that feast-tide, for nothing save these twain.
Then suffered was the maiden to kiss that goodly knight:
Never in all his life-days had he known such dear delight.
But the King of the Danefolk murmured under his breath straightway: