The Fountain of Maribo, and Other Ballads
Yes, two stout sons of mighty fame Has Alf of Odderskier; Of the king who dwells on Upsal fells They love the daughter fair.

It was youthful Helmer Kamp, From stall his courser led; “O I will hie me up the land And the king’s fair daughter wed.”

p. 23It was youthful Angelfyr He sprang on his courser’s back: “And I will ride to Upsal too, Though the earth beneath me crack.”

p. 23

And when they entered the castle yard They doffed their cloaks of skin; Then straight they strode to the high, high hall, To the monarch of Upsal in.

In came youthful Helmer Kamp, With grace and beauty rife: “O King, thy daughter dear I love, Wilt give her me for wife?”

In came youthful Angelfyr, His steely helmet shone: “O King, give up thy daughter to me, And straight from the land begone.”

Then answered soon the Upsal-King, And a brave reply he gave: “On my daughter I’ll no husband force, She’ll choose whom she will have.”

p. 24“Now many thanks, dear father, that Thou leav’st the choice to me; I’ll plight me to young Helmer Kamp, He’s like a man to see.

p. 24

“But I’ll not have young Angelfyr, He’s an ugly Trold to view; His father so is, his mother so is, So are all his kindred too.”

Then answered the young Angelfyr, So sorely wroth he grew: “Come, brother, come to the court-yard down, For her we will battle do.”

Then up and spake the Upsal King, And the Upsal King did say: “The swords are sharp, the swains are stark, There’ll be, I trow, good play.”

Alf he stands at Odderskier, And he listens the mountains tow’rds; Then must he hear so far, far off The clash of his children’s swords.

p. 25And that heard Alf of Odderskier, So far across the down: “What have my sons now got in hand? Why so wrathful are they grown?”

p. 25

He tarried then so short a space, He sprang on his courser red; And he arrived at Upsala Before his sons lay dead.

“Now tell me, youthful Helmer Kamp, Tell me my dearest son, Wherefore so free from thy flesh and bone Those 
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