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Read Ebook: Hafbur and Signe: a ballad by Wise Thomas James Editor Borrow George Translator
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Ebook has 94 lines and 6416 words, and 2 pages
Editor: Thomas J. Wise
HAFBUR AND SIGNE A BALLAD
BY GEORGE BORROW
LONDON: PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1913
HAFBUR AND SIGNE
Young Hafbur King and Sivard King They lived in bitter enmity; 'Twas Signe proud that caused their feud, Of maidens all the fairest she.
It was youthful Hafbur King Awaked at midnight with a bound, And full of dread he straightway said His wondrous dream to all around.
"Methought I was in heaven's domain, Within that place so fair to view, And held to my breast my loved one prest, When down we fell the cloudlets through."
And there sat all the Dames and maids And little heeded what he said; But lent an ear his mother dear, 'Twas she alone attention paid.
"My son do thou to the mountain go, And look that thou dost go with speed; The Daughter demand of Elfin land, And she to thee thy dream will rede."
It was young King Hafbur bold In his left hand he took his blade, And away he hied to the mountain's side To seek the lovely elfin maid.
With his fingers white he thrice tapped light Upon the mountain's side so green; The daughter of Elle lay awake, and well Could guess what did that tapping mean.
"Hail, daughter fair of Elfland's King, Whom here I see in costly wede! I beg for love of the God above That thou to me my dream wilt rede.
"Methought I was in Heaven's domain, Within that place so fair to view, And held to my breast my loved one prest, When down I sank the cloudlets through."
"And if for me it destined be To win the maid for whom I sigh, I'll ne'er complain if Fate ordain That afterwards for her I die."
Sir Hafbur lets his hair grow long, And maiden's clothes he caused be made; And away he rode to the high abode Of Siward King, to learn to braid.
For himself he clothes has caused be made, All such as high born damsels wear; Then away rode he o'er hill and lea To seek King Siward's daughter fair.
When he had reached the castle yard In haste he smoothed his array; To the hall of state where ladies wait, And maids, then swift he takes his way.
"Now hail to you, ye lovely dames, And hail ye, maids of high degree! And hail the child that's Signild styled, The Dane King's child, if here she be!
"Hail Signild, daughter of the King, Who here art spinning silken thread; Sir Hafbur me has sent to thee That thou mayst teach me how to braid."
"If thou dost come by Hafbur sent, A welcome guest thou here shalt be; What I can impart of the braiding art I'll willingly impart to thee.
"Whate'er I know of the braiding art I'll willingly to thee disclose; And thou thy meat from my dish shalt eat, And with my best loved maid repose."
"O I have eat with princely maids, And by their sides have often lain; I should pine, I trow, if bid to go To bed with one of the servant train."
"Well do not grieve my pretty may! We'll do thee no disgrace nor harm; And thou thy meat from my dish shalt eat, And thou shalt sleep within my arm."
And there sat all the damsels proud, And with their work dispatch they made, Save Hafbur alone, the King's good son, Who with his needle often play'd.
They sewed the hart, and they sewed the hind, In good green wood that ran about; Of cup of gold he scarce got hold But Hafbur all the wine drunk out.
In came the wicked servant maid, In evil hour in came she: "Where'er I've been I ne'er have seen A maid know less of broidery.
"A damsel fair I ne'er have seen Who understood of stitching less; And ne'er on earth a maid of birth Drink wine with greater eagerness."
Then out and said the wicked maid, And loud with her sharp voice she spake: "No maid I've viewed of noble blood Such draughts of power ever take.
"She never sews so small a seam But with her needle she doth stop; No cup so great she gets, but straight She drains it to the bottom drop.
"Two eyes she has, and eyes so bold In high born maid I ne'er have seen; And she doth bear of hands a pair Which cast of iron seem, I ween."
"Now do thou hear, thou servant maid, Thy jeers at me why dost thou throw? Thou needst not fear or blame or sneer From me, however thou may'st sew.
"Forego thy scoffs, forego thy jeers, And do not watch me in such guise; I thee don't mark on thy hand's work Whatever way I turn my eyes."
'Twas Hafbur then the King's good son To sew at length with zeal began; And he sewed hart and hind with art, E'en as they run pursued by man.
He lilies sews, and roses bright, The birds upon the bough he sews; At his address they all express Surprise, they'd him by no means lose.
And on sewed they till end of day, And till some part of night was fled; With drowsy brows the proud maids rose, It lists them now to go to bed.
So late it was at nightly tide, Down fell the dew o'er hill and mead; Then lists it her proud Signild fair With all the rest to bed to speed.
"O where shall I a bed procure?" Said Hafbur then, the King's good son. "O thou shalt rest in chamber best With me the bolsters blue upon."
Proud Signild foremost went, and stepped The threshold of her chamber o'er; With secret glee came Hafbur, he Had never been so glad before.
Then lighted they the waxen lights, So fairly twisted were the same. Behind, behind, with ill at mind, The wicked servant maiden came.
The lights were out, the train retired, They thought that they were all alone; His upper wede the knight with speed Did off, then bright his faulchion shone.
King Hafbur with delighted heart Upon the bed himself has flung; I tell to ye for verity That as he fell his hauberk rung.
Then out and spake proud Signelil, She could not wonder half enough: "Since I've been born no maid has worn, That I have known, a sarke so rough."
Her hand upon young Hafbur's breast Which shone with ruddy gold she laid: "To me make known why are not grown Your breasts like those of another maid?"
"'Tis custom in my father's land For maids to mount and ride to fight; My breasts not growing more, is owing Unto the chafe of my hauberk tight."
And there reclined the night so long The youthful hero and the may; They talking kept and nothing slept, For in their hearts so much there lay.
"Now do thou hear, proud Signild fair, Since all alone ourselves we find, Tell me the truth, who is the youth For whom most stands your maiden mind?"
"O there is none within the world For whom I feel the least inclined, Save Hafbur young, whose deeds are sung, And he for me is not designed.
"Save Hafbur young whom it has been These eyes hard fortune ne'er to see; I've heard alone his bugle blown, When to and fro the Ting rides he."
"And if it is prince Hafbur young Whom them dost hold at heart so dear, Straight turn your face and on him gaze, For he does lie to thee so near."
"If thou art he, why dost thou seek A princely maiden to inveigle? In manly sort to Siward's court Why cam'st thou not with hawk and beagle?"
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