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

67
She was no second Freia,
All bright and elfin-glad;
Young Helge thought he witnessed
A Balder, woman-clad.
“And who may you be, standing
In shadow on the strand?”
“Since that is what you ask me
I answer out of hand.
“For you should know this Helge!
Bold champion in the field! —
A princess stands before you,
One bearing sword and shield!
“King Høgne is my father
And I have brothers five,
And all of them Berserkers, —
Beware, if you’d survive.
“They muster now, intending
To meet you face to face;
Be on your guard, then Helge,
There’s little time of grace.
“But I’ve seen you do battle
On dragon-prows stained red,
Your praise soared to high heaven,
By hawk and raven spread.
“And I have seen you braving
The fierce Berserker spear,
‘Twas then you vanquished Sigrun,
‘Twas then she loved you dear!”
“And if, my lovely maiden,
It be as you now say,
Come climb aboard my vessel
And come with me straightway.
“And Helge shall prove loyal,
And ere the autumn fall,
You shall be proudly seated
As queen within my hall!”
The warriors set to hoisting
The white sail on the mast,
For Svaringshaug they headed,
Their war-lust urging fast.