Grimmer (A)

Brave sons Sir Erick Grimmer had
And keen for battle fray;
They never went, but sword in hand,
To either feast or play.

They never went to ladies' dance,
But with their naked sword;
Nor ever, but in coat of mail,
Would sit at banquet board.

Young Grimmer built and rigg'd a boat,
And launch'd it off the strand,
And swore to sail to the heathen king,
And win his daughter's hand.

So kindly blew the gentle breeze,
So well they plied the oar,
They reached the isle, and foremost there
Young Grimmer trod the shore.

Off to the heathen king he strode,
And, wrapp'd in scarlet cloak,
Up to the presence chamber went,
And thus the king bespoke.

"And heie you're sitting, heathen king,
"Over your festive board!
"I come to crave your daughter's hand,
"And wait your gracious word."

"My daughter think not thou to win,
"Nor woo the gentle may,
"Till first thou hast striven with Helmer Kamp,
"And fairly gain'd the day."

In kinder tone the Princess spoke,
A lovely maid and fair;
"None ever came from Bermer-eye
"Who went to combat there

"There never yet came champion back
"From fight on Bermer-eye;
"How small your chance my father knows,
"And means you there to die."

"Sweet maid," young Grimmer so replied
In scarlet cloak array'd,
"For coward loon I hold a swain,
"If he is of death afraid."

"Then I shall give you a sword of gold
"To gird upon your side,
"And with it freely take the field,
"Where listeth you to ride.

"The sword is of the ruddy gold,
"Of silver every pin,
"With this, young Grimmer, trust my word,
"The victory you shall win."

They wound aloft their silken sail,
They let their pennon fly,
And kindly breezes bare them on
Away to Berner-eye.

The bold young Grimmer, he it was,
Who steer'd his boat to land,
Where Helmer Kamp, the brawny chief,
Was waiting on the strand.

Said Helmer Kamp, for a scornful jest
Restrain he could no more,
"And who then is this little mouse,
"Comes shipwreck'd here ashore?"

"Thou callest me a little mouse,
"From thee I shall not run,
"And dear, I trow, thy joke shall cost,
"Ere yet the day is done."

Young Grimmer met his bulky foe,
And drew his lady's blade,
And Helmer Kamp he cut to shreds,
And well his vaunting paid.

His silver and gold they took away,
As much as they could pile,
And home, in wealth and glory rich,
They sail'd from Bermer isle.

The maiden stands in her lofty bower,
Stands looking far and wide;
"Dear father, make the wedding feast,
"His ship I've e'en descry'd."

The maiden stands in her lofty bower,
Stands looking o'er the strand;
"Dear father, make the wedding feast,
"My knight is come to land."

Young Grimmer left his boat ashore,
Drew on his scarlet cloak,
And up to the royal chamber went,
And thus the king bespoke.

"And here you're sitting, heathen king,
"Over your festive board!
"I come to crave your daughter's hand,
"And wait your gracious word."

And then arose the heathen king
In all his pomp and pride,
And gave his daughter, lovely maid,
To be young Grimmer's bride.