Classic Poem

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!

Thor is absent and in arms,
Wildly wooing war's alarms;
Odin holds on high the horn,
Fill'd with heavenly hydromel.
A garland gay of ears of corn
Frey round his front fraternal winds,
While fair-hair'd Frigga therein binds
The fragrant flower that decks the dell.

Brage, the bard of old,
Now strenuous strikes the strings of gold!
Sounds sweeter, softer than before
His lofty lyre melodious lends:
And Freya fairest of the fair,
With azure eye and golden hair,
With delight her heart o'erflowing,
And with flame more fervid glowing,
O'er the board her bosom bends.

On the helmet sings the sword,
Mercilessly myriads mowing!
Human blood in torrents flowing
Oft incarnadines the field:
Like the brutal Berserk raging,
When he bear like bites the shield,
So is Force in strife engaging,
When 'gainst Right and Reason steel'd.

This chief 'bove all we therefore prize,
Since by his efforts well-directed
He from each furious foe protected
The labors of the frugal hind.
E'en as the smoke of sacrifice
Rolls sky-ward to Valhalla's throne,
Ascends the proudest pattern known
Of valor, sense, and justice join'd.

Sitting as judge on men below,
Odin is pleased each stern decree
With choicest phrase to qualify,
Which Saga spreads through the world around.
Thus from the lips of Ring did flow
The wary words of wisdom grave,
As clear as Mimer's murm'ring wave,
And equally profound.

Forgive! forget! let discord cease!
Such is Forsete's constant theme,
Who sits as arbiter supreme
Of right and wrong at Urda's wave.
So were Ring's efforts all for peace,
And by his counsel sage and mild
The bitterest foes were reconcil'd,
And each the pledge of pardon gave.

Gentle and generous was this chief;
The Gnomes' high-valued golden sand
He scatter'd with unsparing hand
On all the indigent around.
Each suppliant swain who sought relief
From him did ne'er refusal meet,
And words of comfort doubly sweet
Did ever from his lips resound.

Then welcome warrior wise!
Heir of Valhalla! long
The Scalds thy name shall prize,
And sing it oft in song.
Brage now brings the bowl:
The Asas shout. All hail! thou glorious King!
As long as stars shall shine and billows roll,
Both Gods and men shall chaunt the deathless fame of Ring!