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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
"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?"
"O maiden, to your father's house Long since I came with hawk and hound; But my desire he met with ire, Still in my ear his scoffs resound."
All, all the time that they did talk They thought that quite alone were they; But one stood near, and lent an ear To every word that they did say.
Shame, shame befall the wicked maid, 'Twas she brought much mishap to pass; She sly removed the sword approved Of Hafbur, and the new cuirass.
When she had removed the sword approved, And Hafbur's good cuirass beside; To the hall away where Sivard lay The wicked maiden swiftly hied.
"Awake, awake, good Sivard King, Too much of sleep is in thy head! Prince Hafbur know is lying now With Signild fair in silken bed."
"O young Prince Hafbur is not here, And it is false what thou hast told; To the Eastern main his way he's ta'en, With Russ and Finman fight to hold.
"So hold thy peace, thou wicked wench, Nor lying tongue 'gainst Signe turn; Ere morn shall dye the Eastern sky For thy foul slander thou shalt burn."
"Now do thou hear, my noble Lord, Believe me all my words are true! For see, I have his polished glaive, And his cuirass of beaming blue."
So wroth grew Sivard at the sight, And loud around he 'gan to shout: "Upstand ye all my merry men tall, For here is come a Kemp so stout.
"Now take ye brand and shield in hand, And look ye wield them both aright; Unto our home is Hafbur come, Unasked by me, the hard necked wight."
Upon the door they struck with power, With shield and faulchion struck they hard: "Come out, come out, young Bear," they shout, "Come out unto the castle yard."
When that heard she, proud Signelil Her lily hands she fell to wring: "Ah! dost not hear, Prince Hafbur dear, How they for thee are clamouring?"
Praise be to Hafbur, princely youth, Against a host he made a stand; They could not all the youth enthrall Till snapped the bed post in his hand.
They Hafbur took, and him they placed In shackles strong and newly made; But them in twain he burst amain, As had they only been of lead.
Then raised the ancient maid her voice, And curs?d counsel came from her: "Bind yonder Bear with Signe's hair, And hand or foot he will not stir.
"Sirs, straightway bind ye Hafbur's hands With one of Signe's silken hairs; That little hair he will not dare To break, such love for her he bears."
And they took two of Signild's hairs, And bound with them his mighty hands; Such love possest the Hero's breast, He would not burst the tiny bands.
Then out and spake proud Signelil, Adown her cheeks the tears ran fast: "O Hafbur tear the paltry hair, Thy Signe's free consent thou hast."
And they placed Hafbur, son of the King, Fast bounden in the castle hall; Both maid and dame to see him came, And his own maiden first of all.
They Hafbur took, the son of the King, And in strong irons him they laid; In woeful mood before him stood Full speedily his loving maid.
To him with burning tears she spake: "If Hafbur thou consent will give, My good aunts three on bended knee Shall intercede that thou shalt live.
"My father threatens steadfastly To hang thee on the oaken bough, Upon the moor at early hour Before again the sun shall glow."
Then answered young King Hafbur bold, And in high wrath the Hero spake: "Too light I heed my life, to need That women prayer for me should make.
"Hear, Signild, hear, do thou show clear This day for me thy love is great; When in the string thou see me swing Within thy bower burn thee straight."
From out the gate they Hafbur led, The King's good son, at solemn pace; For him sore cried all him that eyed, So hard and stern they thought his case.
And when they reached the verdant plain, Where he the gallant youth should die; He begged he might have a short respite, He'd prove his Signe's constancy.
"Do ye hang up my mantle red, That Sivard King the same may see; He may repent, and yet prevent Young Hafbur's hanging on a tree."
When Signild proud the mantle saw, The sight it pierced her like a knife: "He's dead," she thought, "it vails me nought To tarry longer here in life."
She called together her maids with speed, Concealing well her bosom's woe: "To have some play we'll wend our way Unto the lofty chamber now."
Then out and spake proud Signelil, She spake in stern determined guise: "This day I will my own self kill, And Hafbur join in Paradise.
"If any one in our band has helped To bring him to his death so foul, Shall rue his wrong when we ere long Shall burn together all to coal.
"So many there are in this palace fair Whom now the death of Hafbur gladdens; But venge will I their cruelty This moment on their plighted maidens."
Then fire she set to her bower high, The fire so hastily it blazed; How well she loved to all she proved Who on that conflagration gazed.
It was Hafbur, son of the King, O'er his shoulder blade he cast his sight; Of Signe good the bower stood, Enwrapt in one tremendous light.
"Now take ye down my mantle red, And let it lie upon the plain; Within my breast if I possessed Ten lives to beg them I'd disdain."
King Sivard out of the window looked, And on his mind such horror came; For Hafbur he saw hang on a tree, And Signild's bower enwrapt in flame.
Outspake amain the little foot swain, And he a mantle red had on: "Now burns in bower the beauteous flower With her fair maidens, every one."
Then up and spake grey Sivard the King, His face with paleness ghastly all: "A fate so dour as this I'm sure Did never princes two befall.
"If I before had heard or known The power of love was half so great, I'd ne'er, I swear, have vext the pair For all the wealth of Denmark's state.
"Run some of ye to Signild's bower, And strive to bear my child relief; Let others race to the gallows place, For Hafbur bold was ne'er a thief."
And when they came to Signe's bower All burnt they found the Lady fair; When out of breath they reached the heath, Hafbur was hanging dead in air.
They Hafbur took, the son of the King, And round him linen white they roll'd; And him they laid beside his maid, With many a tear in Christian mould.
And then the wicked maid they took, And to a death so horrid doomed; A fitting bed for her they made, Alive the wretch they have entombed.
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