The Verner Raven, The Count of Vendel's Daughter, and Other Ballads

“That she go unpunished I cannot permit,
I’ll teach her what ’tis on a fire to sit.”

To two of her servants proud Mettelil spake:
“Do ye quickly a fire on the open field make.

“Do ye cut down the oak and the bonny ash-tree,
That the fire by them fed may burn brilliant and free.”

Dame Ingeborg forth from the house they convey’d,
And they burnt her to dust on the fire they had made.

Sir Volmor came home from the red field of strife,
Then tidings assailed him, with dolour so rife.

Then tidings assailed him, with dolour so rife,
Burnt, burnt was his mother, and flown was his wife.

He bade for proud Lyborg of red gold a store,
But he could the lily obtain nevermore.

THE FAITHFUL KING OF THULE

A king so true and steady
In Thule lived of old;
To him his dying lady
A goblet gave of gold.

He drank thereout so often,
For all his love it gained;
To tears his eyes would soften
Whene’er its juice he drained.

When death drew nigh, his spirit
His riches o’er he told
To him who should inherit —
But not that cup of gold.

By all his knights surrounded
One day he sat at dine,
In hall of fortress, founded
By ocean’s roaring brine.

The ancient hero rallies
With one more draught his blood,
Then casts the sacred chalice
Below him in the flood.

Deep, deep within the billows
He watched it as it sank;
Then, sinking on his pillows,
No drop more e’er he drank.

THE FAIRIES’ SONG

Balmy the evening air,
Nature, how bright the hue!
But, though the bloom is fair
The sense with sweets to woo,
Love, Music, Mirth, Oh give!
On these we Fairies live!

The glow-worm’s amorous lamp
Recalls her wandering mate;
Their revel in the swamp
Outshines the halls of State.
Then, Spirits, hither fly,
And match their revelry!

The Bat is on the wing,
And Gnats, what reels they run!
In wide or narrow ring,
An atmosphere of fun.
Then let us to the dance,
And feet like midges glance!