Classic Poem

So wide around the tidings bound
That Ranild’s prisoner taken;
Had he been aware how it would fare
He had not Hielm forsaken.
The death of woe, spaed long ago,
They’ll wreak on him now, I reckon.

Into the hall steps Ranild tall,
And withouten trepidation;
Bids his Lord good bye, and the chivalry
Who have at court their station.
O, Lord Christ! be each man kept free
From misfortune and tribulation.

“In mind dost bear, King Erik dear,
On whom may blessings pour,
That service I wrought in your father’s court,
Of all his swains the flower?
Both in and out I’ve borne you about
In sunshine and in shower.”

“Yes, service you wrought in my father’s court,
For money and clothes imparted,
And betrayed his life to the foeman’s knife,
Like a monster treacherous hearted.
And as sure as now the crown’s on my brow,
To the wheel thou shalt be carted.”

“Hew off, I intreat, my hands and feet,
Most willingly them I proffer;
My eyes blood red tear out of my head,
And the worst death let me suffer;
But all the pains that Ranild gains
For his treason scarce enough are.”

“Thine eyeballs twain thou may’st retain,
And thy hands and feet unriven;
But thou thy breath shalt yield to a death
The cruellest under heaven;
And be it known, for my father alone
This punishment is given.”

Ranild they brought from Roskild out,
He wrung his hands with sorrow;
And the women all salt tears let fall,
Who lived in that ancient borough.
The wretched wight wished all good night,
And a light heart on the morrow.

Ranild they bore the town before,
The wheel his sight saluted:
“Christ guard each noble from such like trouble,”
In agony he shouted,
“If at Hielm I’d staid it had better sped,
Nor to that had I been devoted.

“Would God would send a trusty friend,
Who would my message carry,
To Kirstine fair, who sits in care,
To Ranild true to tarry.
O Christ help all my babies small,
And bless my bosom’s dearie!

“Ye Christian folk, whom, with dying look,
On the mead I am discerning,
A pater pray for my soul, to stay
Of God the anger burning;
That me He receive this very eve
To the joys for which I’m yearning.”