Siward and Brynild

Siward had tamed and gently train'd
His fiery steed,
And Brynild in the light of day
From durance freed.

Proud Brynild from her tower of glass
Did Siward take,
And then to Hero Hogen give
For friendship's sake.

Brynild and Sinild both so proud,
Two maids of rank,
Went down to wash their silken robes
At river bank.

"Hark now, fair Sinild, prythee say,
"Dear sister mine,
"How came those glittering rings of gold
"On hand of thine?"

"How on my finger came these rings,
"That gleam so bright?
"Siward the Hasty gave me these
"His troth to plight.

"Siward the Hasty gave me these,
"As troth he sware,
"And thee to Hero Hogen gave
"As comrade's share."

So soon as this proud Brynelille
Had heard her say,
In grief up to her bower she went,
And sick she lay.

Up to her bower went Brynelille,
And lay so low,
And Hero Hogen to see the maid
Went to and fro.

"O tell me, maiden Brynelille,
"My bride so dear,
"What in this wide world thinkest thou,
"Thy heart would cheer?

"If in this world there were but aught
"Could ease thy pain,
"Pay would I gladly all my gold
"That same to gain."

"Nothing is there in all this world
"My pain will ease,
"Till in these hands false Siward's head
"Once I can seize."

"But how then canst thou Siward's head
"Or seize or take?
"His, through whose flesh no sword on earth
"Its way can make? '

"So hard his flesh, no sword on earth
"Can give him pain,
"None but his own, nor know I how
"That sword to gain."

"Then seek him where in th'upper room,
"He sits at board;
"And beg him for his honour's sake
"Lend you his sword.

"Beg him all for his honour's sake
"Lend you the blade;
"Tell him you must in joust defend
"Your own dear maid.

"So soon as safely in your hand
"That sword shall be,
"I beg you by the mighty God,
"Forget not me."

His head the Hero Hogen wrapp'd
In purple hood,
And where in chamber Siward sat,
Before him stood.

"My comrade Siward, Hasty swain,
"Here at thy board!
"Say, wilt thou for thine honour's sake
"Lend me thy sword?

"Trust to me for thine honour's sake
"That famous blade;
"I must in field to day defend
"My own dear maid."

"Mine own good sword, mine Adelring,
"Should I lend thee,
"Twill give thee on every battlefield
"The victory.

"Surely to thee, my friend, I trust
"That sword so good;
"But guard thee well — beneath its hilt
"Are tears of blood.

"Guard thee against those tears of blood,
"That glow so red,
"If they should on thy finger run,
"Thou'rt quickly dead/'

The sword the Hero Hogen took,
From scabbard drew,
And on the spot his dearest friend,
His comrade slew.

In mantle fold the head he wrapp'd
Dripping with gore,
And to the lady's bower aloft
To Brynild bore.

"See here, and take the bleeding head,
"And still thy pain;
"I've, to my sorrow, for thy sake
"My comrade slain."

"O take away the bleeding head,
"Spare me the sight;
"And now, to your great joy, to you
"My troth I plight."

"Mine will I never give to thee,
"Nor love thee more;
"For thy sake I've my comrade slain,
"And rue it sore."

His sword the Hero Hogen took,
From scabbard drew,
And the proud Brynild at a blow
He cut in two.

And then against a jutting stone
His sword-hilt stay'd,
And through his heart the royal prince
Drove the sharp blade.

Firm in the dingy mould stood fix'd
His trusty sword,
While from that noble prince's heart
The life-blood pour'd.

Alas! That maid so fair and proud
Had e'er drawn breath!
Or two so nobly born should find
So sad a death!