The Lombards

There ruled a King the Danish isles,
King Snccd the name he bare,
And famine spread through all his land,
And death, and grim despair.

He call'd his wisest men to court,
And publish'd this decree;
That each third man throughout the realm
At once should slaughtered be.

In Seeland dwelt an aged dame,"
These tidings when she knew,
"Forbid," said she, "the God above,
"That you such deed should do!

"Ne'er heard I yet of loyal men
"So foully put to death;
"Beware how those you dare to kill,
"Whom God has given breath.

Tis I will give you better rede,
"Although a poor weak wife;
"Ye let these people sail abroad,
"And fight to save their life."

The King he muster'd all his men,
As bade that aged dame;
And sooth it was a gallant host,
That at his summons came.

The Seeland wife hight Ingeborg,
As tells the ancient tale;
And got them built so vast a ship,
That all therein could sail.

Her two bold sons were captains made,
Two proper.men and keen,
And dauntless each his duty did,
Where ever they were seen.

At Bleking went those troops on board,
Indeed a mighty crew;
The King and council stood on shore,
And bade them all adieu.

Soon as they ploughed the wide deep sea,
Their joy-song they begun,
And great the glory wealth and fame,
They on that voyage won.

They reached a port in Lombardy,
That off in Walland lies,
And there they slaughter'd all the men,
And made the women prize.