The Dalby Bear

There roar'd a bear on Dalby wold,
And strong and fat was he and bold.
But peace let us in Denmark hold,

Both Ox and Horse that bear had slain;
And wrought the. farmers grief and pain.

They planned and plotted night and day,
How best the bear to seize and slay;

So to the wood their swine they drove,
And let them near his covert rove.

"Now," said the bear, as there he lay,
"What guests are these come here to day?"

Fierce he rushed down from out his lair,
And found a Christian standing there.

One hour he with the farmer fought,
And down to the ground his victim brought;

He crunch'd his heart with greedy bite.
As e'en rode up a gallant knight.

"Come on" said Bear, and foam'd with rage,
"With thee I'll gladly now engage.

"Threat as thou wilt, and do thy best,
"I'll put thy bragging to the test.

"Thou'rt arm'd, 'tis true, with martial gear,
"But teeth and claws are worth thy spear."

One day they fought, aye did they twain,
And all the third they fought again.

The fourth day, e'en as night began,
The bear at last had fell'd the man.

"Ne'er shalt thou boast, my gallant knight,
"That thou hast beaten me in fight.

"My sire, a king of high renown,
"And queenly mother wore a crown;

"But through a base stepmother's spell
"A woeful change my form befell.

"Forced to these forest wilds to go
"I wrought the farmers grievous woe;

"No season did my robberies cease,
"I left them not a moment's peace.

"That base stepmother was to blame,
"Whose magic spell bewitch'd my fame.

"'Twas her foul art and treacherous hand,
"That bound my neck with iron band;

"This band if thou hast strength to break,
"Thy life, now forfeit, I'll not take."

"I'll gladly help thee in thy need,
"And shall through Mary's son succeed.

"For break the spell, and burst the band,
"That can alone His mighty hand."

A cross the knight made o'er the beast,
And burst the band and him released.

The bear arose a graceful knight,
And gain'd his father's crown and right.

And nobly was his friend repaid
With the king's sister, lovely maid.

How well together lived the three,
The base stepmother griev'd to see;

Till, mad with spite and baffled pride,
She leap'd a beetling cliff and died.