Axel and Walborg

There play'd at dice on golden board
Two dames of high degree,
And watch'd their shifting course of luck
With mutual hearty glee.

There round and round and upside down
The dice so nimbly ran;
And round and round goes fortune's wheel
With course as hard to scan.

The Lady July and Denmark's Queen
At table sat and play'd,
While on the floor with crabs and pears
I'll ere play'd an infant maid.

With fruit and flowers the pretty child
Was carrying on her game.
As thither on his road to Rome
Sir Axel Tordsen came.

He greeted dames and maidens all,
That graceful virtuous knight,
In secret was the gentle child
His hope and his delight.

He tapp'd.the baby's fair white cheek,
And took her on his knee;
"Would heaven thou wert a woman grown,
"My sweetheart thou shouldst be."

"Ah! no!" in gold embroider'd dress
His sister thus replied;
"Tho' she this very night were such,
"She could not be thy bride."

Up spake that maiden's mother too,
And true her words and frank;
"Too nearly are you both of kin,
"Tho' equal be your rank."

His ring of gold the knight took off
And gave her for a toy:
That ring, long ere she came of age,
Had robb'd her heart of joy.

"My little bride mark thou my words,
"Betroth'd are we today;
"And now I "go to serve a king
"In countries far away."

Sir Axel, good and gallant knight.
Must on his journey ride,
And off to a neighbouring nunnery
Was sent his little bride.

She learnt to read, and ply her hand
On broidery work and lace,
And daily grew in good repute,
And modesty and grace.

Her manners, noble as her birth,
Won praises more and more;
Her sound good sense, and sparkling wit,
And all her varied lore.

In cloister eleven years she pass'd.
Until her mother died.
And then the queen took her to court
And kept her near her side.

Sir Axel serv'd in th' Emperor's house
With golden spurs at heel;
And at his side with knightly grace
He bare the trusty steel.

There, as he in his chamber slept
Reclined on silken bed,
Scar'd with a frightful dream he woke.
And toss'd his weary head.

Walborg his bride he seem'd to see
Robed in her velvet dress.
And at her side Prince Hagen stand
Some eager suit to press.

Soon as the lark at morning dawn
Trill'd forth his lively song,
In haste up starting from his bed
His clothes he round him slung.

He saddled him his trusty gray,
And off to the forest sped;
Would hear the bird's sweet song, and drive
Sad thoughts from out his head.

But e'en while musing on his dream
He sauntered through the wood,
Right in his path with scrip and staff
A wayworn pilgrim stood.

"Good day, God greet thee, holy man!
"And whither bent to go?
"That thou art from my native land,
"Thy dress doth plainly show."

"In truth I'm sprung from Gildish race,
"In Norway have my home,
"And e'en fulfil a vow I've made
"Of pilgrimage to Rome."

"If thou of Gildish race art sprung,
"Thou'rt kin then of mine own:
"Say, has my bride forgotten me?
"My Walborg hast thou known?"

"Aye, Sir, I know thy Walborg well,
"A lovely maid is she,
"And many a son of gallant knight
"Would fain her suitor be.

"Full oft that graceful maid I've seen
"In robe of sable drest,
"'Mong all the maids, who serve at court,
"The fairest and the best.

"She's grown like a bright lily flower
"Borne on its stem so green;
"Mong all the maids in all the land
"No fairer may be seen.

"Since in her tomb beside her lord
"The Lady July sleeps,
"Most loved and honoured near her side
"The Queen fair Walborg keeps.

"Gold rings her fair white hands adorn,
"With pearls her hair is tied;
"And wheresoever the maid is seen,
"She is call'd Sir Axel's bride.

"Yet nevertheless her nearest kin,
"Against the general voice,
"Will give Prince Hagen thy betroth'd,
"And much thereat rejoice."

Sir Axel heard the pilgrim's tale.
And round him wrapped his cloak,
And went and stood before the throne,
And th' Emperor thus bespoke.

"Hail, Henry, sovereign great and good!
"Here at your feet I stand
"To beg a furlough hence to ride
"To see my native land.

"My patrimony is at stake,
"My parents being dead,
"And still more for my bride I fear,
"Lest her another wed,"

"Furlough, Sir Axel, grant I thee
"To see thy home again,
"And will, until thou comest back,
"Thy place for thee retain."

As with a glittering troop in arms
From court Sir Axel rode;
A happy journey wish'd him all
That in the court-yard stood.

So hard he spurr'd, with thirty men
Had he begun his ride,
But when he reached his mother's house,
Was no one at his side.

And now Sir Axel Tordsen came
Up to the court-yard gate,
And there he saw in rich attire
His sister Helfred wait.

"Here waiting, Helfred, sister mine I
"Nor thinking me to see!
"How fares that Rose of flowers, my bride?
"My Walborg, how is she?"

"Thy pretty Walborg is in health,
"No fairer can be seen,
"Of all the maids, who serve at court,
"Most favoured by the queen."

"Thy counsel, prithee, give me now,
"Helfred, my sister dear,
"How with my bride I may converse
"Unheard by other ear."

"Then wrap thee well in robe of silk,
"Dress thee in costly fur,
"And say that I've a message sent,
"To tell to none but her.'"

Sir Axel crossed the chamber bridge
Up to the ladies hall,
As e'en from vesper they returned,
The Queen's fair maidens all.

He grasp'd his lovely Walborg's hand,
And softly thus he spake;
"I'm Lady Helfred's messenger,
"This letter, prithee, take."

She broke the seal, and spread it ont,
And saw what in it lay;
Therein were tender words of love.
That only one could say.

She found enchased in five gold rings
Roses and lilies bright;
"Sir Axel Tordsen gives you these,
"Your long betrothed knight.

"You've vow'd to me to be my bride,
"And will to me be true;
"And I, while in the world I breathe,
"Will be as true to you."

There, while they cross'd the balcony,
They plighted them their troth;
And each the other firmly bound
By solemn mutual oath.

By holy Dorothy they sware,
And Virgin Queen on high,
They would with honour spend their lives,
And would with honour die.

Sir Axel rode in th' Emperor's court.
And blithe and gay was he;
And in her chamber sat his bride,
And fairly laugh'd for glee.

While so they passed nine months away
Apart in distant land,
Eleven counts' sons had bent the knee,
And sued for Walborg's hand.

Eleven so brave and gallant knights.
The gentle maiden wooed,
And twelfth, the King's son Hagen came,
And late and early sued.

"O hear me, Walborg, gentle maid,
"If me you'll love and wed,
"I'll make you Queen and Norway's crown
"I'll set upon your head."

"And you, Prince Hagen, list to me,
"Your crown I'll not receive;
"I've sworn Sir Axel secret troth,
"Nor basely will deceive."

In grief and wrath went Hagen forth,
And round him wrapp'd his cloak;
Before the Queen, his mother, stood,
And these the words he spoke.

"Hear me, dear Lady mother mine,
"Your help I would obtain;
"My suit fair Walborg has repulsed
"With jest and proud disdain.

"Aye! though I offer wealth and rank,
"My royal crown and land
"Sir Axel has her plighted troth,
"And him she gives her hand."

"And bound in honour is the maid
"To keep the oath she sware;
"But others in my court thou'lt find
"As noble and as fair/'

"There may be others highly born
"And rich and fair of face,
"But rival Walborg cannot one
"In goodness or in grace."

"If thou shouldst seize the maid by force,
"All tongues would cry thee shame;
"Nor were it long, ere arm'd for fight
"Sir Axel hither came."

Forth from her bower Prince Hagen went,
And wrath was he of mood;
As met him robed in swarthy gown
The Blackfriar brother Knud.

"What means, my son, this woeful look?
"Say, what may be thy care?
"If aught has happ'd to mar thy peace,
"Thy griefs to me declare."

"Good father, sad is my mischance,
"And great my secret pain;
"Sir Axel's bride I dearly love,
"But cannot hope to gain."

"Nay! though fair Walborg be his bride,
"His wife she cannot be;
"Tor in the Blackfriar cloister here
"We keep their pedigree.

"Two sisters' children are they both,
"The lover and eke the bride;
"And both one nurse held at the font
"At Highborg, where she died.

"Dipp'd at one font, by cloister law
"Two brethren they must be;
"And, as our books will duly show,
"Akin in third degree.

"To chapter summon all thy clerks,
"This point let them decide;
"And sentenced shall Sir Axel be
"To quit his lily bride."

Prince Hagen heard and bade his swains
"Go Walborg's uncles call;
"Beg them in secret all the three
"Come to. my council hall."

These Counts, so gallant all and brave.
They stood before the board;
"What may our gracious lord desire?
"We wait his royal word."

"The boon I ask, is that your niece
"With me in honour live,
"And be my queen and share my realm;
"Will ye the maiden give?"

Then answered him her uncles three,
And blithe were they of mood;
"In lucky hour was born the maid,
"For whom our Prince has sued."

They rose and sought the royal bower,
Wrapt each in ample cloak;
And greeted first the stately Queen,
And Walborg next, and spoke.

"God speed thee, Walborg, dearest niece,
"And happy mayst thou live!
"For thee our lord, Prince Hagen, sues,
"And thee to him we give."

"And have my uncles so agreed?
"The truth then I will say;
"Sir Axel, he is my trothplight man,
"Nor him will I betray."

"Nay!" answered her those uncles three,
So wealthy all and bold;
"Nay, niece, thee cannot we allow
"With him thy vows to hold."

Prince Hagen then his summons wrote
To all the clergy round,
And bade th' Archbishop come himself
With seventy clerks renowned.

"Now shame!" the Archdeacon Erland said,
As he the letter view'd;
"Foul shame on all who this devised,
"And most on Brother Knud!"

The Archbishop stood before the board,
And thus the Prince addressed;
"I'm at my Prince's bidding come;
"Would know what his request."

"I've to a maiden plighted troth,
"Whom ye shall wed to me;
"For tho' Sir Axel has her heart,
"His wife she shall not be."

A summons then those clergy wrote,
And publish'd far and near,
That 'fore the Archbishop at th' Assize
These lovers both appear.

The matin song was duly sung
At early morning tide;
And with his trulove off to church
Sir Axel now must ride.

But, as he climb'd his tall war-horse,
Sighs heav'd his manly breast;
And Walborg in her carriage sat
With pain as ill repressed.

While through the greenwood glade they rode,
"But seldom," Walborg cried, '
"Doth happy bosom sigh with grief,
"Tho' sorrow smiles may hide."

Before the gate they lighted down,
St. Mary's churchyard gate,
And with their kin and gallant knights
Walked into church in state.

But, while they waited in the aisle,
The clergy there to meet.
Their pallid faces told of woe.
And hearts with grief replete.

And now with silver-mounted staff
The grave Archbishop came,
And all the Blackfriar Brotherhood
To prove their blood the same.

With ponderous register in band
Stepp'd forward Brother Knud,
And show'd that Axel and his bride
Were near akin by blood.

Alike of ancient Gildish race
Were both so highly bred.
And kinsmen in the fourth degree.
And therefore could not wed.

One dame had held them at the font,
The knight and eke the maid;
Sir Asbiorn sponsor was to both,
Such match the church forbade.

Akin alike by birth and blood,
An J that in fourth degree,
Akin too at baptismal font,
Wedded they could not be.

Up to the Altar led they then
The lady and the swain,
And placed a kerchief in their hands,
And cut the same in twain.

The kerchief into halves was cut,
To each an equal share;
The stoutest man must yield to fate,
And what is doom'd him, hear.

"Ye've cut in twain this handkerchief,
"Ye've given us each a piece,
"But so will not our love be rent,
"Or lifelong ever cease."

The ring they off her finger stripped,
The bracelet off her hand,
And gave the knight his gifts again,
And brake the nuptial band.

Upon Saint Olave's altar stone
Sir Axel cast the gold,
And sware that lifelong for the maid
His friendship he should hold.

The heaving silk on Hagen's breast
His ill-pent wrath betrayed;
"If Walborg thou canst not forget,
"Then she is no more a maid."

But up the wisest clerk of all
Archdeacon Erland rose;
"Who has not learnt the power of love,
"Of man but little knows.

"Water may slake the glowing brand,
"May quench the hottest flame,
"But fiercer far the rage of love,
"No mortal that can tame.

"Aye, great as is the midday's heat,
"Where broils a southern sun,
"Is greater still the force of love,
"And vanquish that may none."

Array'd in silken robe so red
Prince Hagen made reply;
"This matter I'm resolv'd to clear,
"Though on the morn I die."

With anger boiling in his breast
The broad stone then he trod;
"Here shalt thou swear without reserve
"Before Almighty God:

"Tomorrow morning thou shalt swear
"On His most holy Word,
"If'Walborg is for thee a maid,
"And swear it on thy sword."

"Such evidence if I shall give,
"My oath I'll freely make;
"And ready stand in combat too
"My life thereon to stake."

Sir Hogen's wife, fair Eskelin,
From sleep awoke in fright;
"Saint Brigit, tell me what shall mean
"The dream I've dream'd tonight?

"The lovely July seemed to come
Trom slumbering in her grave,
"And pray me all so piteously
"Her daughter dear to save.

"My Lord, seven gallant sons have I,
"And thirty men each one;
"And they shall arm, and stake their lives,
"That her no harm be done.

"My Lord, let saddle chargers ten,
"And like a noble ride,
"And lend her countenance, and see
"That her no ill betide.

"Seven sons have we, seven youthful dukes,
"All brave and doughty wights,
"And fain would see them quit themselves
"Like gentlemen and knights.

"The Lady July and myself
"Were of two sisters born,
"And lost for aye were our good name,
"If Walborg came to scorn."

The morning dawn'd, and o'er the heath
The sun had flung his glare.
As towards the castle rode the knights
The solemn oath to swear.

There clad in arms Sir Axel stood;
And stretched them forth his hand;
"Welcome, ye counts of Gildish house,
"Come here with me to stand."

Eleven the knights who forward strode,
In sables drest were they;
"We with Sir Axel make our oath,
"God rule it as He may."

As fast as raindrops fall, the tears
Ran down the maiden's face;
"Where now am I kind friends to find?
"How wretched is my case!"

Cold answer made her uncles three;
And these the words they spake;
"Thyself, since rede thou hast ask'd of none,
"Alone the oath must take/'

The"good Archdeacon Erland rose.
And what he said was true;
"Find kinsmen wilt thou many a one,
"Though friends, I fear, but few.

"Aye! kinsmen hast thou still, enough,
"But friends wilt hardly find;
"God help thee from thy danger, maid,
"And calm thy troubled mind."

"My parents both are dead and gone,
"Bitter and great my woe;
"But that I free from guilt have liv'd,
"Will God in mercy show.

"My mother is under a marble stone,
"My father Immer too;
"Were they alive and here with me,
"Were then my kinsmen true!"

But while in deepest woe she sat,
And sobb'd aloud and wept,
Sir Hogen up to the castle rode,
And towards the maiden stepped.

Forward he came with hasty stride,
And these the words he spake:
"Fair Walborg, I will stand by thee
"This oath, with thee to take.

"My wife is Lady Eskeline,
"To whom thou'rt very dear;
"She and thy mother were of kin,
"And therefore I am here.

"Now forward, all ye seven my sons,
"Your oaths together make;
"Sir Carl's seven sons from Sonderland
"Their part with us shall take."

Eleven young Duke's sons forward stepp'd
In sable robes so fair;
In richest raiment they were clad.
And curl'd eir yellow hair.

Eleven young counts, they form'd a group,
All gallant men and bold:
And hair they wore in graceful curls,
And swords that gleam'd with gold.

"Here next the maiden we will stand
"With her the oath to swear;
"Ye noble pair, come forward both,
"That every one may hear

His sword-hilt then Sir Axel grasp'd,
On massbook laid his hand,
While round him all his kinsmen stood,
A bravo and wealthy band.

And there with sword-hilt in his hand,
Its blade laid on a stone,
He sware a clear unquibbled oath,
And made her virtue known.

"My Walborg, though my early love,
"And all my worldly bliss,
"I never yet too near approached,
"Or once enjoy'd a kiss"

Then by Our Lady sware the maid
With hand on holy book;
"My eyes were never yet so bold
"As once on him to look."

With canopy raised o'er her head,
And royal pomp and pride;
They bare her weeping to her bower.
And call'd her "Prince's bride."

In to the hall Prince Hagen came.
And these the words he spake;
"This evening neither knight nor squire
"His journey home shall take.

"Witness, that Walborg I betroth,
"My heart and realm to share;
"Witness, that she is now ray Queen,
"And crown of gold shall wear."

The cloth was spread, and table fill'd,
And quaff'd the mead and ale;
Bat with his bride Sir Axel stayed,
And sad their mutual tale.

"Now prithee, dearest Walborg, say,
"While here we sit alone,
"To still our painful longings, both,
"What now may best be done?"

"If wed the Prince I really must,
"Tis much against my will,
"For though I live a thousand years,
"To you I am faithful still.

"Up in my chamber I shall sit,
"And gold-embroidery weave;
"Live all my days in solitude,
"And like the turtle grieve.

"She slumbers not on. leafy bough
"Retired from noonday heat;
"Nor ever sips the limpid stream,
"Till muddied with her feet.

"But you will in the greenwood ride,
"And chase the hare and roe;
"Aud banish every thought of me,
"And all your grief and woe."

"Nay, though to chase the forest deer
"So gaily I may ride,
"What shall I do at midnight hour,
"When sleep's to me denied?

"I'll straight for silver coin and gold
"My patrimony sell,
"And, till I grieve myself to death,
"In some far country dwell."

"Ah no, my lord, leave not your home,
"Nor sell your pleasant land,
"But send to good Sir Asbiorn word,
"And ask his daughter's hand.

"Sue for his daughter Adelaide,
"That gentle maiden wed;
"And further cares I'll take on me,
"And stand in mother's stead."

"I'll take no other maid to wife,
"No other will I woo;
"The Emperor's daughter could I have,
"To thee I'd still be true."

And here the good Archdeacon came,
And gently tapp'd the pair;
"Bid ye each other now Good night,
"And try your fate to bear."

Then rose the Archbishop, bold of speech,
And loud he shouted out;
"On Blackfriar Knud a lasting shame,
"Who brought this thing about!"

Sir Axel bade the maid Good night,
His voice betray'd his pain;
For laden was his heart with grief
As captive wretch with chain.

Fair Walborg now with all her maids
Must to her bower retire,
But felt her heart burning with grief,
"As glows a smouldering fire.

So soon as dawned the ruddy morn,
And sun was seen to shine,
Began the queen to call her maids.
And each her task assign.

She bade them round about her sit,
To work the gold so red;
But Walborg stood apart from all, —
Her heart with sorrow bled.

"List, Walborg, tell me, dearest maid,
"Why sittest thou aside?
"And why it gladdens not thy heart
"To be the Prince's bride?"

"Much rather I'd Sir Axel have,
"And share his less renown,
"Than in a royal palace dwell,
"And wear all Norway's crown.

"Tet, little as it profits me,
"My kinsmen may be glad;
"Tho' daily tears my face bedew,
"And heart be ne'er so sad."

They pass'd their time in sullen grief,
Two weary months went o'er,
That neither smiled, or pastime found,
She or Sir Axel more.

Now reached the land a fearful war,
A foe untaught to yield,
Hagen, the Prince, to stem their force
Himself must take the field.

He summoned all his men to arms.
The clergy and eke the lay;
Such as had strength to wield a sword,
To war must all away.

As captain-general o'er his host
He bade Sir Axel go.
And, like a highborn gallant knight,
To arm he was not slow.

By its two colours white and blue
Was known o'er all the field,
And by the bleeding hearts thereon
Sir Axel Tordsen's shield.

They reach'd the plain, and saw the foe
In burnish'd armour glance;
Their manhood soon was put to proof;
'Twas not a ladies' dance.

Sir Axel fought with hero mood,
To guard his native land;
And, sooth, made many a saddle void
His sharp and weighty brand

He dealt them round his deadly blows,
And o'er their corpses rode;
His anger spared not of them all
The best and noblest blood.

He struck the lords of Oppeland
From off their steeds so tall.
And slew King Amund's sons to boot;
Brave dukes and margraves all.

As thick the jostling arrows flew,
As peasants toss their hay;
And, pierced with wounds, among the slain
Himself Prince Hagen lay.

Sir Axel, when he saw the Prince
Had fallen from off his steed.
Through banded foemen clove his way
To aid him in his need.

"Sir Axel Tordsen, hear my prayer,
"Do thou avenge my fall,
"And then take Norway's crown and land,
"The bride therewith and all."

"Aye! well will I avenge thy death,
"As every tongue shall tell;
"No force of blow shall make me swerve,
"No numbers me repel."

Sir Axel sought the thickest fight,
So fierce was he of mood,
Whoever dared to meet his gaze,
Sank weltering in his blood.

He fell'd around him mailclad men,
As peasants reap their corn,
And bore him as became a knight
Of noblest lineage born.

They beat the helmet off his head,
They clove in twain his shield,
But till his sword brake in his hand.
Was he not made to yield.

Eight were the deep and ghastly wounds.
That gored his manly breast,
As in his tent with aching hearts
They laid him down to rest

His life's blood spouted out in streams.
The price for victory paid:
The latest word Sir Axel spake
Was of the lovely maid.

"To Walborg bear my last farewell,
"May God to her be kind;
"In heaven we soon shall meet again
"Unhinder'd joy to find."

In came Sir Axel's little page,
And stood before the board:
A quick and skilful child was he
To choose the fittest word.

"O take ye robes of linen white,
"And leave your silk so red,
"For know that Hagen, royal prince,
"And Axel, both are dead.

"Prince Hagen on his bier is stretched,
"They're tolling now his knell;
"Sir Axel well aveng'd his death,
"But bravely fighting felL

"Through Norway's land the voice of fame
"Our victory shall record,
"But many a boor has lost his life,
"And many a noble lord."

How bitterly Queen Malfred wept,
Will every mother know;
Fair Walborg too in secret moan'd,
And wrung her hands for woe.

She call'd her Page, and bade him run,
And nimble he should be;
"Go, thou, my gilded casket fetch,
"And bring it in to me.

"And ye put to my good grey steeds;
"My life to God I'll give,
"Nor e'er forget Sir Axel's death,
"So long as still I live."

Before Saint Mary's churchyard gate
She lighted from her wain.
And once for all went into church
Weeping with grief and pain.

She there took off her crown of gold,
And laid it on a stone;
"henceforth no other man I'll wed,
"But live for Heaven alone.

"Already twice I've been betrothed,
"But never was a wife;
"Will now apart from worldly cares
"In cloister pass my life."

They brought her in the treasured gold
Stored in her gilded chest,
And this she gave to those she had found
The kindest and the best.

A neckband, all of finest gold
With precious jewels hung,
She gave the lady Eskelin,
For having lov'd her long.

Two bracelets in the casket lay,
And weighty clasps to both,
And these she to Sir Hogen gave,
Who sware with her the oath.

And gold and silver all so bright,
A hundred rings or more,
She dealt among the gallant dukes,
Who witness for her swore.

To priests in cloister cell and church
A goodly sum she paid,
That for her own and Axel's soul
Might daily Mass be pray'd.

She gave to widow and orphan child,
And pilgrim on the road;
And on the image of Saint Ann
Her crown of gold bestowed.

"Come forward, Bishop, reverend man,
"The mould upon me cast;
"And let me swear the cloister vows;
"This boon I ask the last.

"Dear good Archbishop Ogey, come
' "Devote me now to God;
"I never leave this cloister more,
"But for the churchyard sod."

On face of many a gallant knight
The teardrops trickled fast,
While on the gentle Walborg's arm
The clods of earth they cast.

So into cloister Walborg went.
And much restraint she bore.
And mass or matins never miss'd.
Nor broke a rale she swore.

To cloister many a lady comes
For beauty far renown'd,
But none so fair as Walborg was,
Whose equal ne'er was found.

'Twere better far to be unborn
Than live in constant woe.
In trouble cat one's daily bread,
Nor taste of pleasure know.

May God forsake the wicked wretch,
Who two like these would part,
Where glows a warm and mutual love
In young and virtuous heart.