Queen Dagmar's Death

Queen Dagmar is lying at Rib sick.
In Ringsted is made her grave,
And midwives, as many as Denmark has,
She summons her life to save.

"O fetch me one of them, fetch me two,
"Fetch all that are known as wise,
"But fetch little Kirstin first of all,
"For her do I chiefly prize."

As into the chamber Kirstin came
With modest and cheerful air.
Queen Dagmar, to welcome her, rose from bed,
So pleased that the maid was there.

"If thou to give me relief from pain
"Canst any thing write or read,
"Then robe shalt thou in a scarlet pall,
"And ride on my own gray steed."

"If I could any thing read or write,
"That would I so gladly do,
"But tight you are bound as in iron band,
"'Tis fearful, my queen, but true."

She took in her hand Saint Mary's book
To read of some goodly spell.
But blinding tears soon filled her eyes.
And streams on her bosom fell.

They carried her out, they carried her in,
But little did matters mend;
"Then since it is going from bad to worse,
"Up, after my husband send."

Her own little page had heard her words.
And hasted away with speed;
The saddle he took from off the beam.
And laid on a milk-white steed.

The king is standing on chamber stair,
And looking around so wide;
"Methinks it is some small page I see
"So sorrowful hither ride.

"Aye hither he wends, that same small page,
"To bring us a tale of woe;
"Oh heavenly Father, 'tis in thy hand,
"How matters with Dagmar go/'

In stepped to the hall the tiny page,
And stood him before the board;
"Queen Dagmar has sent me to fetch you home,
"Would fain with you speak a word."

The King his chequer board shut in haste,
The dice they rattled and rung;
"Forbid it our Father who dwells in heaven,
"That Dagmar should die so young!"

They bitted with gold their steeds so white,
And richly they had them dress'd,
And rode at a stretch to Roskildby,
Before they would stop to rest.

The king has ridden from Gullandsborg
With fully a hundred swains.
But ere he is come to Ringsted bridge.
Queen Dagmar's alone remains.

He enter'd the town and voices heard
Of wailing and loud alarm;
Queen Dagmar, as e'en he rode up street.
Had died upon Kirstin's arm.

He open'd her chamber door, and saw
The bearers and eke the bier,
But came little Kirstin and gave her hand,
And fain would his sorrow cheer.

"Oh still your sorrow, my lord and king,
"For her who has even died;
"We've saved an infant, a lovely boy,
"We cut from your Dagmar's side."

"I beg of you, ladies and maidens all,
"To kneel with me round her bier,
"And offer a prayer for Dagmar's soul
"To let me her wishes hear."

Queen Dagmar she wakes and rises up.
All bloody her eyes and red;
"Alas and alas, my noble lord!
"Why trouble the peaceful dead?

"My prayer and the first request I make
"I trust, my lord, to gain;
"All outlawed men to their homes restore,
"And loosen the captive's chain.

"My next, the second request I make,
"I urge for your own dear sake;
"That Berngerd, ray lord, that base bad dame
"You never to wife will take.

"And this, my third and my chiefest prayer,
"I trust you will grant me too;
"That Knud, my youngest and dearest son,
"Be ruler here after you.

"O leave him to be in Denmark king,
"My youngest and dearest boy,
"Tho' Berngerd will bear you another son
"Will him if he can destroy.

"Had I on a Sunday not laced my sleeves,
"Or border upon them sewn,
"No pangs had I felt by day or night,
"Or torture of hell-fire known.

"No more I may answer, my noble lord,
"No more I may stop to say;
"God's angels are sitting on thrones in heaven,
"And beckon me hence away"

Her eyes grew dim with death again,
And black as the earth her cheek;
"The bells of heaven are chimed for me,
"No more may I stay to speak/'