The Tale of Brynild, and King Valdemar and His Sister: Two Ballads

Sir Buris’ right hand, and Sir Buris’ left foot,
King Valdemar caused to be hewn off to boot.

From the Castle the knight they led forth on the green,
In mockery and scoff of Sophia the Queen.

“Behold now thy brother, that lord great and fine,
Who fain as a prince and a monarch would shine!”

The Dane-king a fetter has caused to be made,
On Buris in Vestervig cloister ’twas laid.

For eleven long years there was Sir Buris confin’d,
Each day to her grave went the knight lame and blind.

Each day that he lived of the King did he crave
That beside her when dead they might lay him in grave.

To the King he was forced to give land and domain,
Ere to rest in the cloister the boon he could gain.

He expired just as the twelfth year was begun —
The King never smiled Queen Sophia upon.

MIRROR OF CINTRA

    Translated from the original Portuguese on a marble slab in the garden of Don Juan De Castro, at Cintra.

Tiny fields in charming order,
Which the jagged forests border;
Sheltered valleys downward wending,
’Midst the rocks to heaven ascending;
Silvery fountains turbid never,
Foliage dense which bloometh ever;
Ceaseless Zephyrs gently playing,
Satyrs, fawns by thousands straying;
Nymphs, with fair bewitching faces,
Form of Cintra’s clime the graces.

    1840.

THE HARP

    From Garonwy Owen

The harp to every one is dear
Who hateth vice, and all things evil;
Hail to its gentle voice so clear,
Its gentle voice affrights the Devil!
The Devil can not the Minstrel quell —
He by the Minstrel is confounded;
From Saul was cast the spirit fell,
When David’s harp melodious sounded.