Swain Felding and Queen Judith

There swarm to visit Denmark's realm
So many men of fame;
Aye, thither come more German knights,
Than I have the power to name.

The stately Danish king it was,
Two swains was heard to call;
"Go, knaves, the Swain Sir Felding bid
"Come to the council hall."

And in the Swain, Sir Felding came,
And stood before the board;
"What will you with me, Danish king?
"And wherefore send me word?"

"Hark thee, Sir Felding, faithful Swain,
"Mine errand thou shalt do;
"Embark, and off to Germany,
"And fetch my bride so true."

"If I to Germany shall go
"To fetch you home the fair,
"Alone, you well know Danish king,
"I cannot journey there.

"A hundred knights in iron clad
"These you for me must find;
"And let my coat, as fits my rank,
"With martin fur be lined. "

Their silken sail with gold so bright
On gilded mast they spread,
In two months time the gallant ship
To Germany had sped,

They furl'd their sail, and anchor cast
Out on the glittering sand;
And there swain Felding's self it was,
Who first debark'd on land.

In passing through the royal court
They donn'd each man his cloak,
And up to the presence chamber went,
And thus the king bespoke.

"Hail, highborn king of Germany!
"Here at your festive board!
"The king who rules the Danish realm,
"By me has sent you word."

"At table set these gentlemen,
"And bowl and towel bring."
Long ere the hour of rest was come,
His answer made the king

But up Swain Felding rose and spake,
Soon as fair Judith came;
"Shame on the hands, should wash thine eyes!
"On both those hands be shame!

"Shame and disgrace befall the hands,
"That ought to wash thine eyes!
"And shame on her, should water bring,
"And at thy bidding plies!"

"Hark thee, Swain Felding, stay thy sneers,
"Nor me presume to slight;
"For thou art — that I've learnt for truth —
Thyself a baseborn wight/'

"Let me be ne'er so basely born,
"I've kinsmen firm and tried,
"And daily clothe in scarlet cloth,
"And own the horse I ride."

"The vilest rogue, can he but find
"A pair of crimson hose,
"Comes bragging here to Germany,
"And calls himself a rose."

"The vilest wench, if red and white
"She wears her mottled face,
"Will come to our honest Danish land,
"And claim a Lady's place. "

Swain Felding up in his brawny arms
The bride, fair Judith, took,
And down in his ship so roughly set,
That all the vessel shook.

Their sails of silk they hoisted up
High on the gilded mast,
In two weeks' time to Denmark's coast
The briny seas had pass'd.

Swain Felding he the rudder held,
And steer'd the ship to land,
As e'en his lord, the Danish king,
Was riding along the strand.

Swain Felding waved his hat on high
To greet the Danish king;
"Urge not your steed so fast, my lord;
Tis no great prize we bring.,I

So soon as maiden Judtelille
Her bridal chamber view'd;
"Shame, M said she, "on the carpenters,
"Who here the timber hew'd!

"Shame on the bungling carpenters,
"Who shared the meat and beer!
"And on the Swain Sir Felding shame,
"The slothful overseer!"

"The posts are all of poplar wood,
"Of oak is every pin;
"Nor ought with Denmark's king to sleep
"A Judtelille therein."

Then up Sir Peter Kempe spake,
A hero stout and stark;
"I'll stake in joust with thee to day
"A horse and a hundred mark."

"Not much have I of gold and coin,
"Or aught that gold will buy;
"Our ladies' honour be the stake,
"A fall with thee I'll try."

The first assault those heroes rode,
They both spurr'd on so bold,
Swain Felding's lance was snapp'd in two,
And far his buckler roll'd.

Beneath her cloak smiled Judtelille
Her champion's feat to see;
"And such as this are all the men,
"I've hither brought with me."

In haste away to the bridal house
The Swain Sir Felding ran;
"My liege, lend me your horse to-day
"To ride and meet my man."

"Out from his stall my Grayleg lead
"With eagle-plumage hide;
"Him to the Swain Sir Felding give,
"Such horses he can ride.

"Out from his stall my Grayleg lead,
"Gold saddle on him lay;
"More than eight winters will have past,
"Since last he saw the day."

The second bout those heroes rode,
They charged with might and main;
Sir Peter's horse fell on his knee,
His head roll'd on the plain.

She wrung her hands, fair Judtelille,
And sorely seem'd distrest;
"O! that to Denmark I should bring
"My bravest knights and best!"

But gaily laugh'd the Danish king
Beneath his mantle red;
"Such are the Danish troopers all,
"By me are clothed and fed."

Fair Judith ask'd her morning gift,
As day began to break;
"Give me thy Swain Sir Folding's head,
"There's nothing else I take."

"Castles and forts I freely give,
"And wealth in ruddy gold;
"But give thee not the gallant men,
"Through whom my land I hold."

Then up the Swain Sir Folding spake;
As there he stood alone;
"If I to Judith bent a knee,
"I' faith 'twould break the bone."