Regnar and Kragelille

A strange report spreads far and wide,
Spreads over all the land;
"King Sigurd has his daughter lost,
"Borne off by robber hand.

King Sigurd takes his purple cloak,
And wraps his head withal,
And mounts, to where his knights and squires
Sit in the castle hall.

On checquer'd board the dice were cast,
And roll'd about so wide;
Till on Prince Regnar fell the lot
In search of her to ride.

He sought her all the winter long,
Sought her five winters round;
But nowhere could the stolen maid
In all these years be found.

On through the forest Regnar rode,
Till, where he cross'd a lawn,
There met him a little serving boy
About the morning dawn.

"Now hark, my little serving boy,,
"What I would say to thee!
"The fairest maiden thou dost know,
"The same point out to me."

"Then list, young knight so brave and fair,
"Nor be your anger stirr'd;
"The best and fairest maid I know,
"Is keeping Habor's herd.

"Her cloak is made of coarse grey wool,
"Her gown the skin of goats,
"But like spun gold the yellow hair,
"That on her shoulder floats."

He rode across the grassy mead,
And through the tangled thorn,
And found her where she watch'd the goats,
To keep them off the corn.

He drew her kindly within his arm,
And tapp'd her fair white cheek;
"Now tell me who thy father is,
"And truth, I prithee, speak."

"My father, now an aged man,
"Herds goats along the coast;
"Myself, they call me Kragelille;
"My birth I cannot boast."

Prince Regnar sternly eyed the maid,
And drew his glittering knife;
"Toll me thy father's name and thine,
"Or it shall cost thy life."

"King Sigurd and his Queen were once
"The parents I could claim.
"As child they call'd me Swanelille,
"And that is my proper name."

It Prince Regnar stay'd to hear no more,
But wrapp'd in purple weed
He gently rais'd the maiden up,
And set her on his steed.

And over grassy plain he rode,
And over furrow'd hill;
That old man running after them,
And calling 'Kragelille.

He gave him gold and silver too,
And sent him pleas'd away;
But safely back to her father's house
He brought that lovely may.

And now may Regnar, royal prince,
Lay all his cares aside,
And sleep in peace and wedded bliss
Beside his youthful bride.

And she the gentle Swanelille
No longer sighs or weeps,
But calls a royal prince her own,
And happy with him sleeps.