p. 25

“We will sit at board, and the bread we will taste, Then unto the sea-shore will we haste.”

Now down they all sped to the ocean strand, Where the Ox lay rocking before the land.

And speedily they to the ocean bore The anchor, and cable, the sail and oar.

Saint Oluf he stood on the prow when on board:  “Now forward, thou Ox, in the name of the Lord!”

He grappled the Ox by the horn so white:  “Hie now as if thou went clover to bite!”

Then forward the Ox began to hie, In his wake roll’d the billows boisterously.

He hallooed to the lad on the yard so high:  “Do we the Dragon of Harald draw nigh?”

p. 26“No more of the pomps of the world I see, Than the uppermost top of the good oak tree.

p. 26

“I see, ’neath the land of Norroway, skim Bright silken sails with a golden rim.

“I see, ’neath Norroway’s mountains proud, The Dragon bearing of sail a cloud.

“I see, I see, by Norroway’s side, The Dragon gallantly forward stride!”

On the ribs of the Ox a blow he gave: “Now faster, faster, over the wave!”

He struck the Ox on the eye with force: “To the haven much speedier thou must course!”

Then forward the Ox began to leap, No sailor on deck his stand could keep.

Then cords he took, and his mariners fast He tied to the vessel’s sheets and mast.

’Twas then, ’twas then, the steersman cried: “But who shall now the vessel guide?”

p. 27His white gloves off Saint Oluf throws, And he himself to the rudder goes.

p. 27

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