Young Swaigder; or, The Force of Runes, and Other Ballads
p. 6

It was the young Swaigder, Placed his cap upon his head, And into the high chamber Unto his knights he sped.

“Here, quaffing mead from out the shell Sit ye, my Courtmen bold, Whilst I go to the mountain drear, Speech with the Dead to hold!

“Here, quaffing mead and ruddy wine, Sit ye my men so brave, Whilst I go to the mountain drear, With my mother speech to have!”

It was the young Swaigder, And he began to call— Riven were wall and marble stone, And the hill began to fall.

p. 7“Who is it breaks my sleep, And works me such annoy? Deep, deep below the earth so swart Can I not peace enjoy?”

p. 7

“O, it is the young Swaigder, The son thou lovest dear; He fain would good advice from thee, His darling mother, hear.

“For I have now a step-mother, So harsh she is of mood, And she upon me Runes has cast For a maid I ne’er have view’d.”

“I will give thee a noble horse, Shall bear thee at thy need, And he will run upon the sea As on the verdant mead.

“And I will to thee a napkin give,  ’Tis of Ager wool entire, Before thee on the board shall stand, What meat thou shalt desire.

p. 8“I will to thee a deer’s horn give, Mark well its golden gleam; All the drink thou wishest for, From the golden horn shall stream.

p. 8

“And I will give to thee a sword, Hardened in Dragon’s blood; It will glitter like a beam When thou ridest through the wood.

“I will give to thee a barque, Its white sails silk shall be; Shall move as well on the verdant earth As on the foaming sea.”

Their silken sails on the gilded yard So wide, so wide they spread; Away they sailed to the distant land, Where dwelt the lovely maid.

And they have cast their anchors Upon the yellow sand; It was the young Swaigder Who stepped the first to land.

p. 9It was the young Swaigder, His ship to the shore he steers; And the first man there that met him, Was a man of many years.

p. 9


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