Folker Lowmanson

Young Folker serves in Waldmar's court,
With honour grace and fame;
And dear to both the knight and squire,
And maid and courtly dame.

How well these ladies loved him all,
They show'd in words and mien,
But mostly she whom best he served,
Helwig the Danish Queen.

King Waldmar over his table sat,
"Now would," said he "I knew,
"Why to the ladies Lowmanson
"So faithful is and true."

Then up and answer'd him the page,
And show'd but little skill,
For 'twas the counsel he gave the king,
That wrought such grievous ill.

"Let Folker Lowmanson be seiz'd,
"And laid in iron bond,
"And soon you'll see, which lady fair
"Of Folker is so fond."

He came to court, as he was wont,
So gay and void of fear.
He little thought, what gloomy news
Was there to meet his ear.

Matrons and maids he greeted, all.
And one by one address'd,
But Helwig most the good kind queen,
For her he loved the best.

In came to the bower the little page,
And stood before the board.
And cunning was that wight of speech
To choose the fittest word.

"My greeting, Folker Lowmanson,
"In dainty robes array'd,
"To Nyborg you must ride today,
"For so my master bade."

"To Nyborg must I ride today?
"And is thy message true?
"Farewell then, Helwig, dearest Queen,
"For ever I part from you."

Up rose young Folker Lowmanson,
"Farewell he bade them all,
And went to stand before the king,
Up in the lofty hall.

Queen Helwig sat, and wrung her hands,
With many a bitter tear;
"God! let me never live the day
"Of Folker's death to hear."

And in went Folker Lowmanson
Before the King to stand;
And thus it was King Waldmar spake,
And this his stern demand.

"Now hark thee, Folker Lowmanson,
"A handsome knight thou art;
"Hast thou been sitting in lady's bower
"To win some maiden's heart?"

"So help me thou, great God of heaven,
"In pressing hour of need!
"For no one's hurt have I been there,
"Or any evil deed."

Bat seiz'd was Folker Lowmanson,
And off to Nyborg sent,
And there with chains on hand and foot
In dungeon closely pent.

They locked a collar round his neck,
And fetters on his feet;
"But what have I then done amiss,
"That me so ill ye treat?"

Up answered him the little page,
And he was standing near;
"What crime was thine, Queen Helwig ask,
"The dame to thee so dear."

"So help me, God, who on the cross
"Hast suffered death and scorn!
"Helwig the Queen's no whit the worse,
"That I've been ever born."

With look so calm — for his guiltless life
In naught had been to blame —
He sent the kind good Queen 'farewell,'
"Fare weir to maid and dame.

"Bid them 'farewell', and let the Queen
"Hear this my latest breath,
"I gladly, now that die I must,
"For her sake suffer death."

They set a barrel full of spikes,
For so King Waldmar bade;
And poor young Folker Lowmanson
Was in it to be laid.

Folker, when doom was on him passed,
Into the barrel sprang;
As many as saw his cruel doom,
They keenly felt the pang.

The queen stood on the chamber steps,
And all too well could hear,
How toll'd the bells in Nyborg church.
As passed poor Folker's bier.

She heard his deathbell, Denmark's Queen,
And call'd her groomboys twain;
"Quick, lads! my palfrey! bring him round
"With saddle on and rein.

"Bring me my saddled palfrey round
"And wait for me below;
"For I will ride to Nyborg town,
"Poor Folker's fate to know."

With anxious heart did Denmark's Queen
To Nyborg urge her horse,
And at the gate his bier she met.
And on it Folker's corse.

Such honour shown to son of knight
I never yet could hear;
The Queen of Denmark walk'd on foot
Herself before his bier.

Queen Helwig sat awhile, and wept
Beside young Folker's grave;
And then a thousand marks of gold
For masses for him gave.

In tears Queen Elelwig mounted horse
And silent homeward rode,
For in her heart a, lifelong grief
Had taken its abode.

And up to the castle wall she came,
And reached the outer gate,
Where waiting her in scarlet robe
The Danish monarch sate.

"Welcome my Queen! but, tell me, why
"These tears, this mournful mien?
"Have you to Nyborg gone today,
"And there your Folker seen?

"Now tell me on your Christian faith,
"And on your conscience swear,
"Was Folker not of all on earth
"The man to you most dear?"

"No more than with your other swains
"Had I with him to do;
"For your sake those I love the most
"Who truest are to you.

"Yourself I love with all my heart,
"As God will witness bear;
"And knights and squires, who serve you well,
"To me are always dear.

"But tell me now, my noble lord,
"All in your robe of state;
"Was it alone on my account
"That Folker met his fate?"

Silent she bosom'd up her grief,
She smiled no more, nor wept,
But died beside him the first night,
That with the king she slept.