Grimild's Revenge (A)

It was the stately Dame Grimild,
The mead she bade to brew,
And many a hero stout and bold
To banquet hall she drew.

She bade them come to deeds of war,
She bade them come to strife,
Where many a hero young and brave
Was doom'd to lose his life.

A champion, such as Hogen was,
Or Folker Spilleman, —
Find one such as those brothers were,
We surely never can.

But forward Hogen's mother stepp'd,
"It seem'd," Dame Bodil said,
"As in a midnight trance I lay,
"That all the birds were dead.

"And this is what the dream will say,
"If dreams ye understand,
"'Twill cost you many a hero's life
"To tread that heathen land."

But forward rode those gentlemen
To where the torrent swept,
And there they found a Merwoman,
As under a hill she slept.

"Wake up! wake up! thou Merwoman,
"Thou fair and lovely wife,
"And say if in the heathen land
"I'm doom'd to lose my life."

"O turn thee, Hero Hogen, turn,
"Thou gallant knight so bold,
"Thou hast at home on thine own land
'"So many a fort and hold.

"Wend homeward to thy grassy lands,
"Avoid the fray and strife;
"If to thy sister thou shalt come,
"That visit cos'ts thy life."

Then wax'd the Hero Hogen wroth,
His sword in haste he drew,
And struck the wretched Merwoman,
And cut her neck in two.

"Nay! rather thou it is shalt die
"Here on the glittering sand,
"And I so hale and hearty ride
"On to the heathen land."

Forward they rode, those gentlemen,
To where the torrents sweep,
And found th'unhappy Ferryman
Beside his wife asleep.

"Wake up! wake up! good Ferryman,
"And row me across the strait,
"And thee I'll give my ring of gold
"Full fifteen pounds in weight."

"Thyself retain thy ring of gold,
"For that I little care;
"To row and land thee at that place
"For three I should not dare.

"I never on that shore will land,
"Where waits me only woe;
"Against Dame Grimild's stern command
"Across I will not row."

So wroth the Hero Hogen wax'd,
So fierce was he of mood,
He lopp'd the honest boatman's head,
And round him reek'd the blood.

The gory bead he cast afar
Into the roaring Sound,
And after it the body threw
To join upon the ground.

Gunter and Gemot, gallant knights,
Steer'd off the boat from shore,
But, ere they half across were come,
A storm began to roar.

The oars with Folker's mighty stroke
Were broken both in twain,
But with his buckler Hogen steer'd
Across the boisterous main.

And as the knights their anchor cast
Out on the glittering sand,
'Twas he, the Hero Hogen's self,
The first debark'd on land.

It was the Hero Hogen's self
The first debark'd on shore,
And then came Folker Spilleman,
And many heroes more.

High on the tower the watchman stood,
Was pacing to and fro;
"Two highborn youths are hither come,
"And waiting stand below.

"Two warlike men are come to land,
"And bright their weapons glance,
"From head to foot in iron clad,
"And gay their horses prance.

"The one bears on his shield a hawk,
"All glittering bright with gold;.
"The other one a fiddle bears,
"A Duke's son he so bold."

Out stepp'd the stately dame, Grimild,
Could use the choicest word;
"His fiddle bears not he forsooth
"To serve a master's board.

"Two Duke's sons are those heroes both,
"That glance in bright array,
"And well they both are known to me,
"My father's sons are they."

There waiting stood the Dame Grimild
Array'd in verdant pall;
"Now saving Hogen, him alone,
"Be welcome hither all!

"Welcome, my friends, and take your seats
"Within the festive ring;
"But ne'er till death shall I forget
"Sigfrid the murder'd king."

Uprose the count, Sir Guncelin,
And thus to his men he cried;
"To day the Hero Hogen comes,
"Now let his strength be tried.

"We'll meet him hand to hand to day,
"We'll smite him till he's dead,
"And so his pleasant greenwoods gain,
"And all his gold so red."

But answer Hero Hogen made,
Where near the door he stood;
"Ready am I to try the chance,
"If ye but have the mood."

Out rush'd the band of faithful stains,
And up to battle sprung,
But ill they fared at Hogen's hand,
The old and eke the young.

Asunder broke in Folker's hand
His trusty blade of war,
But from the castle door he wrench'd
A heavy iron bar.

He heav'd a stroke, and on the ground
Seven gallant men were strown;
"Now God be prais'd" said Spilleman
"I've made my fiddle known.

"My fiddle I so hard have play'd.
"To make you dance and spring;
"From heavy work I am bathed in sweat
"Within my mail coat ring/'

Then stepp'd the county Sir Guncelin,
Up to the proud Grimild;
"Help us against these doughty foes,
"Or let the strife be still'd."

"Heave on, heave on, my gallant men,
"Who daily share my bread;
"Heave on, nor from the combat cease,
"Till Folker is lying dead."

"Hark thee, Grimild, bark, sister mine;
"Deep driven is my wound:
"That true thou never wast to me,
"Too well I now have found.

"Sev'n long and weary days I've watch'd
"Alike by night and day;
"Before I yield me up, and die,
"My death-wound I'll repay.

"My good and precious sword is gone,
"And snapp'd my bar of steel,
"But could I any weapon find,
"My pain I should not feel/'

Then answer'd him young Obbe Yern,
Who stood thereby so near;
"I'll lend thee a sword, the well tried blade,
"My brother held so dear.

"Methinks a gallant knight thou art
"And strong of limb and stark;
"How well thou wieldest fiddelbow,
"We've cause enough to mark."

"I thank thee much, thou man of worth,
"Thou brave young Obbe Yern,
"And well my brothers and myself
"Thy kindness will return."

So battled Folker Spilleman,
The clamour fill'd the sky;
Would rather perish like a man,
Than meanly skulk or fly.