Grimmer (B)

Childe Grimmer paces the chamber floor,
And deftly a sword can wield;
"Now give us the maiden Ingeborg,
"Before we take the field."

"Me thinks thou'rt much too small a man
"To strike a vigorous blow,
"Nor couldest, feeble as thou art,
"Withstand a full-grown foe."

"As small and feeble as I may be,
"My weapon I can wield,
"And meet me foes, whoever may,
"I'll make them quit the field."

"A champion dwells in Birtingsland,
"A swordsman stout and brave,
"Him meet and slay, and then for bride
"My daughter thou shalt have."

Childe Grimmer left the royal hall
Heaving with smother'd ire;
"And now" ask'd maiden Ingeborg,
"What said the king, my sire?"

"A champion dwells in Birtingsland,
"A swordsman stout and brave,
"That champion if I meet and slay,
"Your hand then I may have."

"Then," spake the maiden Ingeborg,
"The king would you betray;
"In such unequal fight as that
"He knew what danger lay.

"But I will lend you a coat of mail,
"Which sword will never bite;
"And helm, whereon the heaviest hand
"No dint shall ever smite.

"And with a sword I'll arm you too,
"A finely tempered glaive,
"That cuts as well through hardest steel,
"As through the liquid wave."

The champion stands on Birtingsborg,
Looks out to sea so wide;
"What patch'd and paltry boat is that,
"At anchor seems to ride?"

Childe Grimmer little wight it was,
Who steer'd his boat to land,
And he of Birtingsland the lord,
Who held him out his hand.

"Welcome, Childe Grimmer, little wight!
"Here thou shalt dwell in peace;
"The half my land I'll share with thee,
"And give thee too my niece."

"Nay! that to the maiden Ingeborg
"Shall ne'er be told or penn'd,
"That I have taken thy niece to wife,
"Or made of thee a friend.

"But go will we to Vimming's hill,
"And settle there our strife,
"Nor either from the ring return,
"Till one has lost his life."

Spake thus that haughty champion,
So prompt was he of hand,
"The first blow I may claim as mine
"In this my proper land/'

With scornful taunt he then advanced,
His heavy sword swung round,
And with one blow Childe Grimmer fell'd,
And stretch'd him on the ground.

But undismayed Childe Grimmer rose,
Eager his strength to test;
"Thou too shalt stand as hard a blow,
"Ere sinks the sun to rest."

His sword in turn Childe Grimmer heav'd,
And well it did its part;
It cut the champion's helmet through,
And clave him to the heart.

These last few words the champion spake,
As down he fell and died;
"Oh that my brother Rodengard,
"Were standing near my side!"

And well was little Grimmer pleas'd
Had ended so the fight;
And booty took to his lady's land,
Both gold and silver bright.

The champion now on battle field
Lies weltering deep in gore,
But hale and sound Childe Grimmer lives
To rob his treasur'd store.

He stay'd not long in Birtingsland,
But sail'd with victory crown'd;
And joyful sail'd his comrades too
To share the spoil they found.

The maiden stands in her bower aloft,
Is gazing o'er the strand;
"And there I see my trulove knight
"His vessel steer to land."

Childe Grimmer, like a gallant man,
He made no long delay,
But kept his troth, and that day month
Was held his wedding day.