Part 15

"If there be one of the Dane king's men, Who at Dyst {f:21} is willing to ride, Let him, I pray, without pause or delay, Meet me by the wild wood's side.

"The man among you, ye Danish court men, Who at Dyst has won most meeds; Him I am ready to fight, this day, For both of our noble steeds."

The heroes cast the die on the board; The die it roll'd so wide: "Since, young Sir Humble, it stops by thee, 'Gainst Sivard thou must ride."

Sir Humble struck his hand on the board; No longer he lists to play: I tell you, forsooth, that the rosy hue From his cheek fast faded away.

"Now, hear me, Vidrik Verlandson; Thou art so free a man; Do lend me Skimming, thy horse, this day; I'll pledge for him what I can:

"Eight good castles, in Birting's land, As pledges for him I'll set; My sister too, the lily-cheek'd maid, A fairer thou ne'er hast met:

"Eight good castles, and eight good knights; I'd scorn to offer thee less: If Skimming should meet any hurt this day, My sister thou shalt caress."

"If yonder mountains all were gold, And yonder streams were wine; The whole for Skimming I would not take; I bless God he is mine.

"Sivard is a purblind swain; Sees not to his faulchion's end: If Skimming were hurt thou couldst not pay me With the help of thy every friend.

"The sword it whirls in Sivard's hand, As whirl the sails of the mill; If thou take Skimming 'gainst that wild fool, 'T is sorely against my will."

Humble, he sat him on Skimming's back, So gallantly can he ride; But Skimming thought it passing strange That a spur was clapt to his side.

The first course that together they rode, So strong were the knightly two, Asunder went Humble's saddle-ring, And a furlong his good shield flew.

"Methinks thou art a fair young swain, And well thy horse canst ride; Dismount thee, straight, and gird up thy steed; I am willing for thee to bide."

The second course that together they rode Was worthy of knights renown'd; Then both their saddles burst in two, And Humble was sent to the ground.

"Now have I cast thee from thy steed, Thy courser by right is mine; But, tell me, youthful and gallant swain, Who art thou, and of what line?

"Now have I won from thee the prize, And Skimming belongs to me; But, tell me, youthful and gallant swain, What parents gave birth to thee?"

"Abelon is my father's name; He sits upon Birting's throne: Queen Ellina my mother is, And that for truth is known.

"Queen Ellina my mother is-- A Queen whom all admire; Good King Abelon Haardestaal, So call they my hoary sire.

"And who am I, but Humble, the young, A knight of Birting's land; Of hero race, whose fame extends To the wide earth's farthest strand."

"If Abelon be thy father's name, The courser I straight restore; Thou art, I find, my very good friend; I knew thee not, youth, before.

"If Queen Ellina thy mother is, Then Skimming thou hast rewon; Thou art, indeed, my very good friend; Thou art my sister's son.

"Take both the shield ropes, take them straight, And bind me to yon oak tree; Then hie thee back to King Diderik, And say thou hast conquer'd me."

In came Humble, the youthful knight, Was clad in a kirtle, green; "O! I have got my courser again, And have bound the warrior keen."

In came Humble, with boot and spur, He cast on the table his sword: "Sivard stands in the green wood bound, He speaks not a single word.

"O, I have been to the wild forest, And have seiz'd the warrior stark; Sivard there was taken by me, And tied to the oak's rough bark."

"Now hear me, young Sir Humble, the knight, 'T is plain a jest is meant, Whenever Sivard was bound by thee, 'T was done with his own consent."

It was Vidrik Verlandson, And he would fain know all. "O, I will ride to the wood, and see How Sivard endures his thrall."

Vidrik spoke to his burly groom: "Go, saddle me Skimming gray, For I will ride to the wood, and hear What Sivard himself will say."