Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs By Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by J. Whistler, F. Walker, John Tenniel, J. D. Watson, W. Small, F. Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, T. Morten, M. J. Lawless, and many others |
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The Dying Viking.
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 | Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs |  |
The Dying Viking.
I
“Bring me my armour, Sigurd,I'll die as my fathers died,
Not like a wolf in a shepherd's trap,
But in all a warrior's pride.
Strike on the brazen targets,
And let our clarions ring;
I'll meet this Death they talk of,
As a King should meet a King.
II
“Olaf, take you my vesselsWith the dark and threatening sails,
Go forth and scare the Saxon,
Harry his fertile vales;
Dye helm and hauberk crimson,
Ply well the sword and torch;
Go, brain the Murcian bishops
In their shattered temple-porch.
III
“And thou, my bowman, Harold,Be thine to plunder France;
Smite with the axe and hammer
At the vine-grower's lance.
Sack churches, fire the homesteads,
Turn red the muddy Seine;
Burn standing corn and orchard,
Make barren every plain.
IV
“Ye are my raven-feeders,Ye are my warrior brood,
Be yours to give the falcons
The cravens for their food.
But, Oscar, thou my youngest,
Thou hast thy mother's face,
Be thine to guard the peasants,
And found a peaceful race.
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V
“Thou shalt bring home some maiden,With eyes like violet flowers
When they spring up sweeter, fresher,
After the sunny showers.
You'll let the pine-woods dwindle
Around our fortress hill,
And corn in golden billows
Gird many a freeman's mill.
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VI
“But quick,—my heart beats slower,Life's sand is running fast;
Out with a thousand galleys—
I hear the quickening blast—
One hour, and in Luffoden
Our walrus-horns shall ring,
For I'll meet this Death they talk of,
As a King should meet a King.”
| Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs | |