THE COLLECTED POEMS OF HENRIK IBSEN Translated by John ...

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“There I am safe and there I’ll go;
My business here is ended;
I turn my mind from Eric though
We’re from one line descended.
I asked for the princess’s hand,
To meet his debt of honour,
And he — discourteously banned
The regent’s claim upon her!
“On Hægranæs such dreams I’ve dreamed
Past any man’s conception;
The raven’s prophecy I deemed
No fanciful deception.
I thought a message was implied
That I’d fain prove not hollow;
Were but the princess once my bride
Then many a thing might follow.
“For heirless is King Eric, far
Declined into recession, —
Prince Haakon, scarcely popular,
Can thank me for succession.
No expedition-leader he,
No statesman in the making —
Were I king’s son-in-law, I see
The measures I’d be taking!”
And thus he dreamed and further dreamed, —
Then started from his trancing;
For from the banquet-hall there streamed
High mirth, to set night dancing.
There breathed the harp, the fiddle rang
Like spruce when spring is blowing,
The comely palace-maidens sang,
While on the dance kept flowing.
He cried “Away! leave merry jest,
King’s banquet, harps and laughter;
When Eric’s child set in the west
My kingdom followed after.
Make ready ship, this very night
We’ll wend our way together!” — —
A raven from the nearest height
Croaked o’er him in the heather.
Sir Audun halted in mid-stride,
He felt his blood was rising,
He turned to Haldor, staring-eyed
And voiceless, for advising.
The squire made but a little bow
And smiled through teeth clenched tightly: