Hogen's Dance and Song

The King he sits at Ribe,
And quaffs his wine so gay;
"Up, now, my Knights of Denmark!
"Well make a merry day.
So gloriously dances Hogen,

"Up, up, my squires and horsemen!
"And ye my knights so keen!
"Up all, and leave the banquet
"To dance upon the green."

Now lists the King of Denmark
To dance the rest among,
And off goes Hero Hogen,
And leads them with a song.

Up wakes the Queen of Denmark,
As in her bower she lies;
"Now which of all my maidens
"The harp so sweetly plies?"

"'Tis none of all your maidens
"Is touching so the string;
"There's none but Hero Hogen
"Such lay as that can sing."

"Wake up, wake up, my maidens,
"With roses bind your hair,
"And out with me to the greensward,
"And merrily dance we there."

First rode the Queen of Denmark
In scarlet robe so red.
And then her maids and ladies
So high and nobly bred.

And there the Queen of Denmark
Rode round and round the dance;
But still on Hero Hogen
Was ever turn'd her glance.

Till came the Hero Hogen
And held her forth his hand;
"Now lists my. gracious lady
"In dance with me to stand?"

Off tripp'd the Hero Hogen,
And gaily tripp'd the Queen;
And sooth to say, their gladness
Was in their faces seen.

But came a little maiden
All in a kirtle blue;
"Beware of newsy tattlers,
"That listen after you."

Then ask'd the King of Denmark
With angry voice and roien,
"To dance here on the greensward
"What business has the Queen?

"'Twere better in her chamber
"To strike the tuneful string,
"Than here amid the dancers
"With Hogen so to fling."

Then came a little maiden
All in a crimson gown;
"Haste home, my gracious lady,
"The King begins to frown."

') "'Twas late I join'd the dancing,
"But, faith! I'll see the end;
"So let him, if he is angry,
"His manners learn to mend."

Then came and lightly whispered
A little Page in green;
"The King is riding homeward,
"O hasten home, my Queen."

Fie! fie! on Hero Hogen,
And on his honied tongue;
Close pent within her chamber
She rues the song he sung.