Classic Poem

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!”

Away they go like a meteor thro' air;
The old king heeds not his consort's prayer.

But the steel-shod champion doth notstand still;
He passes before them as oft as he will.

He graves many a rune on the ice so clear,
And often doth Ingeborg's name appear.

Thus over the lake like a tempest they go,
But the treacherous Ran lies in wait below.

She waves her wand; the ice bursts! and hold,
The car fast sinks in the bath so cold!

Th' affrighted queen pale as death becomes,
But swift to her succour the stranger comes.

He grasps the mane of the courser with haste
And plants in the ice his steel-shoe fast.

At one pull he drags out the car, and saves
Both Ring and his consort from wat'ry graves

“Bravo! bravo!” now the monarch cries out:
Could Frithiof himself do better? I doubt.”

Now cold and fatigued they the palace regain,
And with them till Spring will their guest remain.