Siward the Hasty Swain

Siward had stricken his stepsire dead,
And all for his mother's best,
And now a journey was fain to ride,
His manhood at court to test.

Before his mother he went to stand,
His sword-blade slung at his side;
"Dear mother, I'm longing to go to court;
"To court that I could but ride!"

I'll give thee, my son, a gallant horse,
"To carry thee o'er the ground;
"I'll give thee my horse, so far and wide
"As Skimling the Gram renown'd."

Siward his gauntlets toss'd aside,
And fine were his hands and white,
And girded himself the noble horse,
He trusted no menial wight.

Himself he girded the gallant steed,
And rein'd him with golden wire;
His eye was bright as the morning star,
And flashing his bit with fire.

He vaulted and sat upon Skimling's back,
And well he was skill'd to ride;
To Skimling it seem'd a wondrous thing,
That spurs drove into his side.

His mother, she follow'd him forth from town
Far over the heath and mead;
"Beware, my Siward, of Skimling's wrath;
"O prithee, my son take heed."

"Nay, hear me, my mother, and grieve no more,
"But lay your terror aside;
"'Tis long that I lived and serv'd at court;
"My horse I have learnt to ride."

So answered Siward, the Hasty Swain,
Set spurs to his gallant steed,
And off in three wide bounds he sprang
Away to the field at speed.

Away so fiercely in three wide bounds
He sprang over field and flood,
That, only the sober truth to tell,
He sweated with tears of blood.

Forth, forth he gallop'd three days and nights,
He sprang over hill and dale,
And rested before a lofty house,
The castle of Berner Quale.

The king was standing in lofty bower,
And gazing around so wide;
"See hither is coming a hairbrain man;
"How well he a horse can ride!"

"'Tis surely," replied the Danish Queen,
And utter'd the words with grace,
"'Tis surely Siward, my sister's son,
"But whence at so fleet a pace?

"And hark ye hither, my gallant men,
"With courtesy treat our guest;
"If yonder is Siward, the Hasty swain,
"He bears not a word of jest."

And up rode Siward, the Hasty swain,
And spurr'd his horse to the spring,
And leap'd at a bound the castle wall,
And stood before the king.

Fifteen the sentries on battlement,
Were keeping their watch and ward,
But none were aware, till horse and man
Were both in the castle yard.