Woe: lightly to part with one's soul as the sea with its foam!
Woe to Tarpeia, Tarpeia, daughter of Rome!

Lo, now it was night, with the moon looking chill as she went;
It was morn when the innocent stranger strayed into the tent

The hostile Sabini were pleased as one meshing a bird;
She sang for them there in the ambush: they smiled as they heard

Her sombre hair purpled in gleams as she leaned to the light;
All day she had idled and feasted, and now it was night

The chief sat apart heavy-browed brooding elbow on knee;

O Study! while thy lovers raise
Thy name with all the pow'r of praise,
Frown not, thou nymph with piercing mind!
If in this bosom thou should'st find
That all thy deep, thy brilliant, lore,
Which charm'd it once, now charms no more:
Frown not, if, on thy classic line,
One strange, uncall'd-for, tear should shine;
Frown not, if, when a smile should start,
A sigh should heave an aching heart:
If Mem'ry, roving far away,
Should an unmeaning homage pay,
Should ask thee for thy golden fruit,
And, when thou deign'st to hear her suit,

What place have the bells come flying from?
They hang in mid-air like green roof-tiles.
As if on purpose, avoiding being rung
they willingly stay silent through the years.

O love, depart,
Mislead my heart
No more, I do implore you.
I love your chains
But fear your pains—
I dread you and adore you.

Your voice is sweet,
Your touch replete
With all alluring blisses,
Your languid eye
Bewitching sly
And heaven is in your kisses.

You smile, and lo,
The heart's aglow
With radiant passion flowers.
But, ah, your frown
Doth shatter down
Their leaves like autumn showers.

No, Love, depart,
I'll trust my heart
No more unto your keeping.
Though some you bless
With happiness,

Now was the work completed, and the temple
Of Balder built anew; not as before,
With palisade of wood surrounded, but
With iron railing; representing spears
With gilded points, like steel-clad men, with helms
Of brass, who stand around to guard the fane.
The cupola of massy granite rock
Was form'd, and with consummate skill erected.
It was indeed a work gigantic, built
To bid to time defiance, like the temple
In Upsala, where the astonished North
In its terrestrial form beholds Valhalla.
Proudly it stood upon the mountain's brow,

“Bright sets the sun, and sweet it is to view
Its mild rays quiver through the foliage green!
Alfader's look! as pure in evening dew
As in his ocean's wave, and as serene.
Tinged are the hill-tops with its rosy light,
Ah! still it tells of blood in Balder's fane.
Soon will the landscape be enwrapp'd in night,
And, like a golden shield, the sun sink in the main.

“Pleased I behold each well-remembered field,
Friend of my boyhood, dear to childish love
Still the same flowers their evening perfume yield,
And the same songsters through the forest rove.

Now to the Ting! his course the courier fleet
O'er hill and vale pursues:
King Ring is dead; the people now must meet,
Another king to chuse.

Each peasant now his sword unsheathes; the steel
Glitters so bright and blue.
Now with his finger he the edge doth feel,
And finds it sharp and true.

The very boys cast looks of eager joy
The shining blade upon;
Now two by two they lift the dangerous toy,
Too heavy far for one.

And now the daughter must her work begin
The helm to polish bright:
But soon her own fair face she views therein,

With sword by side,
And buckler bright,
In the tomb upright
Sits the high-born hero Ring!
His charger champs the chain
Of the bit, while the ground
He paws, and around
The vaults with his neighings ring!

Over Bifrost's bridge in pride
Now behold Ring rapid ride!
Hark the heavy hollow sound
Echoing arches spread around,
While beneath the burden bending!
Valhall's portal open flies!
Asas from their thrones arise!
Each with salutation meet
Joys the glorious guest to greet,
Frank and free his hand extending!

Spring returns, the sun shines bright; the woods are green, the birds again
Tune their song; the streams unfrozen rush rejoicing to the main:
Like the cheeks of Freya glowing, roses now their chalice ope;
And in human hearts awaken love of life, and joy, and hope.

Now the king a chase proposes; Ingeborg the train must join,
All the court assembled round them in their hunting garments shine.
Bows are twanging, quivers rattling, steeds impatient paw the ground;
While the hood-wink'd falcon rises towards the sky with eager bound.

King Ring and his Queen in a sledge appear
The frozen lake like a mirror was clear.

“Go not over the ice for your kingdom's sake,”
Said Frithiof; “'twill burst, and deep is the lake.”

“It is not so easy to drown a King,
Let him who's afraid stay away!” said Ring.

The stranger was piqued at this tart reply,
But he binds on his feet the skates hastily.

The courser rejoices, he snuffs the air,
And fiery flakes from his nostrils glare.

“Step out,” said the king, “my courser good!
Give proof that thou art of Sleipner's blood!”