The Verner Raven, The Count of Vendel's Daughter, and Other Ballads
The horses they galloped, the chariot wheels turned, Throughout the long day whilst the summer heat burned.

The midsummer’s sun with such fury it glows Proud Lyborg swoons ’neath it in terrible throes.

A purse takes Dame Ingeborg fraught with gold treasure, And she speeds to the hall, her heart bounding with pleasure.

p. 22“Whosoever will gold and will bounty derive, Let him help me to bury proud Lyborg alive.”

p. 22

Soon as she of the gold distribution had made, Below the black earth the fair lily they laid.

To the gate of the castle proud Mettelil came, Dame Ingeborg stood there, and leaned on the same.

“Proud Ingeborg, hear what I say unto thee: What hast done with my daughter? declare that to me!”

“But yesterday ’twas that with sorrowful mind, Her corse to the arms of the grave we consign’d.”

“Proud Ingeborg, hush thee, nor talk in this guise, But show me the grave where my dear daughter lies.”

As soon as Dame Mettelil o’er the place trod, Proud Lyborg she screamed underneath the green sod.

p. 23“Whoever will gold and will silver obtain, Let him help me to dig now with might and with main.”

p. 23

They took up proud Lyborg, all there as she lay, Her mother flung o’er her the scarlet array.

“Now tell to me, Lyborg, thou child of my heart, Since restored to the arms of thy mother thou art,

“What death to thy thinking should Ingeborg thole, For placing thee living in horrid grave-hole?”

“To destroy my young life it is true, she was bent, But let her live, mother, and let her repent.”

“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.

p. 24“Do ye cut down the oak and the bonny ash-tree, That the fire by them fed may burn brilliant and free.”


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