Axelwold

The King's men out to the forest ride
To chase the hart and hind,
And under a linden tree so green
An infant boy they find.

All wrapped and roll'd in mantle blue
The little babe they bare,
And gave him in the royal court
To foster-mother's care.

To holy church they carried him,
They christen'd him by night,
They call'd his name Young Axelwold,'
And hid him out of sight.

They nurs'd him all the winter through,
They nurs'd him winters three.
Till he the finest lad was grown,
That one on earth might see.

They rear'd him yet some fifteen years
To manhood's strength and height;
Nor rode there in the royal guard
More brave or graceful wight.

The King's men went to try their skill
At pitching bar and stone.
But forward stepp'd young Axelwold,
And beat them every one.

"Go to the Ladies' chamber thou,
"And learn thy mother's name!
"'Twere better than on target ground
"To put us so to shame."

With bloodless check made he reply,
So ill their taunts he bore;
"Till I to name my mother learn,
"I join your game no more."

Silent and sad young Axelwold
From castle-yard withdrew,
And bade his foster-mother tell,
What of his birth she knew.

"Hear me, my foster-mother dear,
"What now I come to say;
"If of my mother aught you know,
"Tell it without delay."

"But tell me thou" dear Axelwold,
"Why sadden'd thus thy brow?
"If lives thy mother, or is dead,
"Ffaith I do not know."

"Nay then," replied young Axelwold,
And drew his glittering knife,
"My mother me this instant show,
"Or this shall end your life."

"Go then, but go with studied speech,
"Up to the ladies' hall,
"And her, who wears a crown of gold,
"Thy mother thou may'st call."

He turn'd about, young Axelwold.
And round him wrapp'd his cloak,
And where the maids and matrons sat.
His silence thus he broke.

"My greeting, matrons all, and maids,
"And dames of high degree!
"My greeting, dearest mother, too,
"If here with you she be!"

Silent those other ladies sat,
Nor answer'd him a word;
Eline took off her crown of gold,
And laid it on the board.

"You then, who work with lily hand,
"And dare that crown to wear,
"My rightful mother, you I ask,
"Whore is the son you bare?"

Long sat in silence proud Eline,
Nor what to answer knew.
The while her cheek, so red before,
Now pale and paler grew.

She stripped her gorget off her breast.
So much was on her mind;
"No son have I in secret borne,
"So God to me be kind!"

"Now think you, dearest mother, think,
"Is't not a crying shame,
"So long to hide my birth from me,
"And such a son disclaim?

"Hear, dearest mother, hear my prayer,
"And let the truth be told,
"If to yourself my father's known,
"The whole at once unfold."

"Go then, but go with studied speech,
"Up to the banquet hall,
"And him, whom serve the knights at board,
"Thy father thou may'st call.

"Go to the hall, where sits the king
"'Mong knights and men of fame,
"And if Prince Erland thou shalt see,
"Him for thy father claim."

With haughty mien young Axel wold
Robed him in scarlet cloak,
And in the hall of Denmark's king
Addressed the Prince, and spoke.

"Hail, all ye courtly knights and squires,
"Who drink of wine and mead!
"You too, my dearest father, hail!
"If here you are indeed.

"While you're so proud at banquet sit,
"A 'foundling' me they name;
"Now is not, think you, my reproach
"For you a crying shame?"

The courtiers all in silence sat,
Prince Erland only spake;
"I'm not thy father, Axelwold,
"Such claim tho' thou may'st make."

He turn'd him round, young Axelwold,
And sternly drew his knife;
"Hear me! My mother you shall wed,
"Or this shall cost your life.

"Among your knights and very squires
"I've been a jest and scorn,
"Been treated as a leman's brat,
"And yet so princely born."

"True Prince thou art, young Axelwold,
"Put up that murderous knife;
"Eline thy mother give thou me,
"And she shall be my wife."

A merry scene was that at court,
And talk'd of o'er the land,
As Axelwold his mother gave
Into his father's hand.

He waved his hat, young Axelwold,
So glad was he and gay;
"But yesterday a foundling boy,
"A Prince I am today."