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

64
So off young Helge travels,
His curving brow helm-dight;
The sword upon his shoulder
Reached just beyond his height.
It did not take much longer
Ere he grew tall and tough;
He tried all sorts of contest
With Hagal times enough.
If Hagal rocked an oak-tree
That stood a century tall, —
Young Helge, he would lift it
Like bracken, roots and all.
If Hagal drank right bravely
Till Helge’s tongue went slack,
Then Helge went on drinking
When Hagal’s on his back.
Then comes a call to muster:
King Hunding is abroad
With Braalund’s doughty monarch
To measure spear and sword.
Then did young Helge saddle
Post-haste his courser grey
To reach King Hunding’s quarters
Before the end of day.
King Sigmund had advised him
“Now keep sharp watch and ward!”
There drunken men were sprawling
Around the oaken board.
But no-one spots the youngster
Whom not a soul there knows,
Hard drinkers don’t distinguish
Between their friends and foes.
He’s up betimes and leaving
At very break of day,
But recklessly first pauses
Within the entrance-way.
“You ought to know this, Hunding!
Young Helge was your guest.
I’ll save my thanks for later, —
When next we meet were best.”