romantic ballads-第3部分

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She　hears　a　faint　shriek　in　the　air　below；　And；　swift　as　eagle　pounces　on　his　foe；　Down；　down；　she　dropp'd；　and　lighted　on　the　shore；　Which　far　and　wide　was　wet　with　Harrald's　gore。　She　smil'd　so　ruefully；　but　still　was　mute　…　His　good　right　hand　was　lying　at　her　foot：　That　pledge　of　truth；　in　love's　unclouded　day；　Was　the　sole　remnant　of　the　demon's　prey。

Deep　in　her　breast　she　hid　the　bloody　hand；　And　bade　adieu；　for　ever；　to　the　land：　Again　she　scower'd　through　the　airy　path；　Her　eyeballs　terrible　with　madden'd　wrath：　The　raven…sorcerer　at　length　she　spied；　And　soon　her　steel　was　with　his　hot　blood　dyed：　The　huge　black　body；　piecemeal；　found　a　grave　Amid　the　bosom　of　the　briny　wave。

The　ocean　billows　fret　and　foam　no　more；　But　softly　rush　towards　the　pebbled　shore；　On　which　the　lindens　stand；　in　many　a　group；　With　leafy　boughs　that　o'er　the　waters　droop。　There　floats　one　single　cloudlet　in　the　blue；　Close　where　the　pale　moon　shows　her　face　anew：　It　is　Minona　dying　there　that　flies；　…　She　sinks　not！noshe　mounts　unto　the　skies。



FRIDLEIF　AND　HELGA。　FROM　THE　DANISH　OF　OEHLENSLAEGER。



The　woods　were　in　leaf；　and　they　cast　a　sweet　shade；　Among　them　walk'd　Helga；　the　beautiful　maid。

The　water　is　dashing　o'er　yon　little　stones；　She　sat　down　beside　it；　and　rested　her　bones。

She　sat　down；　and　soon；　from　a　bush　that　was　near；　Sir　Fridleif　approach'd　her　with　sword　and　with　spear：

〃Ah；　pity　me；　Helga；　and　fly　me　not　now；　I　live；　only　live；　on　the　smile　of　thy　brow：

〃In　thy　father's　whole　garden　is　found　not　a　rose；　Which　bright　as　thyself；　and　as　beautiful　grows。〃

〃Sir　Fridleif；　thy　words　are　but　meant　to　deceive；　Yet　tell　me　what　brings　thee　so　late　here　at　eve。〃

〃I　cannot　find　rest；　and　I　cannot　find　ease；　Though　sweet　sing　the　linnets　among　the　wild　trees；

〃If　thou　wilt　but　promise；　one　day　to　be　mine；　No　more　shall　I　sorrow；　no　more　shall　I　pine。〃

She　sank　in　his　arms；　and　her　cheeks　were　as　red　As　the　sun　when　he　sinks　in　his　watery　bed；

But　soon　she　arose　from　his　loving　embrace；　He　walk'd　by　her　side；　through　the　wood；　for　a　space。

〃Now　listen；　young　Fridleif；　the　gallant　and　bold；　Take　off　from　my　finger　this　ring　of　red　gold；

Take　off　from　my　finger　this　ring　of　red　gold；　And　part　with　it　not；　till　in　death　thou　art　cold。〃

Sir　Fridleif　stood　there　in　a　sorrowful　plight；　Salt　tears　wet　his　eyeballs；　and　blinded　his　sight。

〃Go　home；　and　I'll　come　to　thy　father　with　speed；　And　claim　thee　from　him；　on　my　mighty　grey　steed。〃

Sir　Fridleif；　at　night；　through　the　thick　forest　rode；　He　fain　would　arrive　at　his　lov'd　one's　abode；

His　harness　was　clanking；　his　helm　glitter'd　sheen；　His　horse　was　so　swift；　and　himself　was　so　keen：

He　reach'd　the　proud　castle；　and　jump'd　on　the　ground；　His　horse　to　the　branch　of　a　linden　he　bound；

He　shoulder'd　his　mantle　of　grey　otter　skin；　And　through　the　wide　door；　to　Sir　Erik　went　in。

〃Here　sitt'st　thou；　Sir　Erik；　in　scarlet　array'd；　I've　wedded　thy　daughter；　the　beautiful　maid。〃

〃And　who　art　thou；　Rider？　what　feat　hast　thou　done？　No　nidering　coward　shall　e'er　be　my　son。〃

〃O　far　have　I　wander'd；　renown'd　is　my　name；　The　heroes　I　conquer'd　wherever　I　came：

〃Han　Elland；　't　is　true；　long　disputed　the　ground；　But　yet　he　receiv'd　from　my　hand　his　death…wound。〃

Sir　Erik　then　alter'd　his　countenance　quite；　And　out　hurried　he；　in　the　gloom　of　the　night。

〃Fill　high；　little　Kirstin；　my　best　drinking　cup；　And　be　the　brown　liquor　with　poison　mixt　up。〃

She　gave　him　the　draught；　and　returning　with　speed；　〃Young　gallant；〃　said　he；　〃thou　must　taste　my　old　mead。〃

Sir　Fridleif　unbuckled　his　helmet　and　drank；　Sweat　sprung　from　his　foreheadhis　features　grew　blank。

〃I　never　have　drain'd；　since　the　day　I　was　born；　A　bitterer　draught；　from　a　costlier　horn：

〃My　course　is　completed；　my　life　is　summ'd　up；　For　treason　I　smell　in　the　dregs　of　the　cup。〃

Sir　Erik　then　said；　while　he　stamp'd　on　the　ground；　〃Young　knight；　't　is　thy　fortune　to　die　like　a　hound。

〃My　best　belov'd　friend　thou　didst　boast　to　have　slain；　And　I　have　aveng'd　him　by　giving　thee　bane：

〃Not　Helga；　but　Hela；　｛1｝　shall　now　be　thy　bride；　Dark　blue　are　her　cheeks；　and　she　looks　stony…eyed。〃

〃Sir　Erik；　thy　words　are　both　witty　and　wise；　And　hell；　when　it　has　thee；　will　have　a　rich　prize！

〃Convey　unto　Helga　her　gold　ring　so　red；　Be　sure　to　inform　her　when　Fridleif　is　dead；

〃But　flame　shall　give　water；　and　marble　shall　bleed；　Before　thou　shalt　win　by　this　treacherous　deed：

〃And　I　will　not　die　like　a　hound；　in　the　straw；　But　go；　like　a　hero；　to　Odin　and　Thor。〃

He　cut　himself　thrice；　with　his　keen…cutting　glaive；　And　went　to　Valhalla；　｛2｝　the　way　of　the　brave。

The　knight　bade　his　daughter　come　into　the　room：　〃Look　here；　my　sweet　child；　on　thy　merry　bridegroom。〃

She　look'd　on　the　body；　and　gave　a　wild　start；　〃O　father；　why　hadst　thou　so　cruel　a　heart？〃

She　moan'd　and　lamented；　she　rav'd　and　she　curst；　She　look'd　on　her　love；　till　her　very　eyes　burst。

At　midnight；　Sir　Erik　was　standing　there　mute；　With　two　pallid　corses　beside　his　cold　foot：

He　stood　stiff　and　still；　and　when　morning…light　came；　He　stood；　like　a　post；　without　life　in　his　frame。

The　youth　and　the　maid　were　together　interr'd；　Sir　Erik　could　not　from　his　posture　be　stirr'd：

He　stood　there；　as　stiffly；　for　thirty　long　days；　And　look'd　on　the　earth　with　a　petrified　gaze。

'T　is　said；　on　the　night　of　the　thirtieth　long　day；　To　dust　and　to　ashes　he　moulder'd　away。



SIR　MIDDEL。　FROM　THE　OLD　DANISH。



So　tightly　was　Swanelil　lacing　her　vest；　That　forth　spouted　milk；　from　each　lily…white　breast；　That　saw　the　Queen…mother；　and　thus　she　begun：　〃What　maketh　the　milk　from　thy　bosom　to　run？〃　〃O　this　is　not　milk；　my　dear　mother；　I　vow；　It　is　but　the　mead　I　was　drinking　just　now。〃　〃Ha！　out　on　thee　minion！　these　eyes　have　their　sight；　Would'st　tell　me　that　mead；　in　its　colour；　is　white？〃　〃Well；　well；　since　the　proofs　are　so　glaring　and　strong；　I　own　that　Sir　Middel　has　done　me　a　wrong。〃　〃And　was　he　the　miscreant？　dear　shall　he　pay；　For　the　cloud　he　has　cast　on　our　honour's　bright　ray；　I'll　hang　him　up；　yes；　I　will　hang　him　with　scorn；　And　burn　thee　to　ashes；　at　breaking　of　morn。〃　The　maiden　departed　in　anguish　and　wo；　And　straight　to　Sir　Middel　it　lists　her　to　go；　Arriv'd　at　the　portal；　she　sounded　the　bell；　〃Now　wake　thee；　love；　if　thou　art　living　and　well。〃　Sir　Middel　he　heard　her；　and　sprang　from　his　bed；　Not　knowing　her　voice；　in　confusion　he　said；　〃Away：　　for　I　have　neither　candle　nor　light；　And　I　swear　that　no　mortal　shall　enter　this　night！〃　〃Now　busk　ye；　Sir　Middel；　in　Christ's　holy　name；　I　fly　from　my　mother；　who　knows　of　my　shame；　She'll　hang　thee　up；　yes；　she　will　hang　thee　with　scorn；　And　burn　me　to　ashes；　at　breaking　of　morn。〃　〃Ha！　laugh　at　her　threat'nings；　so　empty　and　wild；　She　neither　shall　hang　me；　nor　burn　thee；　my　child：　Collect　what　is　precious；　in　jewels　and　garb；　And　I'll　to　the　stable　and　saddle　my　barb。〃　He　gave　her　the　cloak；　that　he　us'd　at　his　need；　And　he　lifted　her　up；　on　the　broad…bosom'd　steed。　The　forest　is　gain'd；　and　the　city　is　past；　When　her　eyes　to　the　heaven　she　wistfully　cast。　〃What　ails　thee；　dear　maid？　we　had　better　now　stay；　For　thou　art　fatigu'd　by　the　length　of　the　way。〃　〃I　am　not　fatigu'd　by　the　length　of　the　way；　But　my　seat　is　uneasy；　in　truth；　I　must　say。〃　He　spread；　on　the　cold　earth；　his　mantle　so　wide；　〃Now　rest　thee；　my　love；　and　I'll　watch　by　thy　side。〃　〃O　Jesus；　that　one　of　my　maidens　were　near！　The　pains　of　a　mother　are　on　me；　I　fear。〃　〃Thy　maidens　are　now　at　a　distance　from　thee；　And　thou　art　alone　in　the　forest　with　me。〃　〃'Twere　better　to　perish；　again　and　again；　Than　thou　should'st　stand　by　me；　and　gaze　on　my　pain。〃　〃Then　take　off　thy　kerchief；　and　cover　my　head；　And　perhaps　I　may　stand　in　the　wise…woman's　stead。〃　〃O　Christ；　that　I　had　but　a　draught　of　the　wave！　To　quench　my　death…thirst；　and　my　temples　to　lave。〃　Sir　Middel　was　to　her　so　tender　and　true；　And　he　fetch'd　her　the　drink　in　her　gold…spangled　shoe。　The　fountain　was　distant；　and　when　he　drew　near；　Two　nightingales　sat　there　and　sang　in　his　ear：　〃Thy　love；　she　is　dead；　and　for　ever　at　rest；　With　two　little　babes　that　lie　cold　on　her　breast。〃　Such　was　their　song；　but　he　heeded　them　not；　And　trac'd　his　way　back　to　the　desolate　spot；　But　oh；　what　a　spectacle　burst　on　his　view！　For　all　they　had　told　him　was　fatally　true。　He　dug　a　deep　grave　by　the　side　of　a　tree；　And　buried　therein　the　unfortunate　three。　As　he　clamp'd　the　mould　down　with　his　iron…heel'd　boot　He　thought　that　the　babies　scream'd　under　his　foot：　Then　placing　his　weapon　against　a　grey　stone；　He　cast　himself　on　it；　and　died　with　a　groan。　Ye　maidens　of　Norway；　henceforward　beware！　For　love；　when　unbridled；　will　end　in　despair。



ELVIR…SHADES。　FROM　THE　DANISH　OF　OEHLENSLAEGER。



A　sultry　eve　pursu'd　a　sultry　day；　Dark　streaks　of　purple　in　the　sky　were　seen；　And　shadows　half　conceal'd　the　lonely　way；

I　spurr'd　my　courser；　and　more　swiftly　rode；　In　moody　silence；　through　the　forests　green；　Where　doves　and　linnets　had　their　lone　abode：

It　was　my　fate　to　reach　a　brook；　at　last；　Which；　by　sweet…scented　bushes　fenc'd　around；　Defiance　bade　to　heat　and　nipping　blast。

Inclin'd　to　rest；　and　hear　the　wild　birds'　song；　I　stretch'd　myself　upon　that　brook's　soft　bound；　And　there　I　fell　asleep　and　slumber'd　long；

And　only　woke；　O　wonder；　to　perceive　A　gold…hair'd　maiden；　as　a　snowdrop　pale；　Her　slender　form　from　out　the　ground　upheave：

Then　fear　o'ercame　me；　and　this　daring　heart　Beat　three　times　audibly　against　my　mail；　I　wish'd　to　speak；　but　could　no　sound　impart。

And　see！　another　maid　rose　up　and　took　Some　drops　of　water　from　the　foaming　rill；　And　gaz'd　upon　me　with　a　wistful　look。

Said　she；　〃What　brings　thee　to　this　lonely　place？　But　do　not　fear；　for　thou　shalt　meet　no　ill；　Thou　steel…clad　warrior；　full　of　youth　and　grace。〃

〃No；〃　sang　the　other；　in　delightful　tone；　〃But　thou　shalt　gaze　on　prodigies　which　ne'er　To　man's　unhallow'd　eye　have　yet　been　shown。〃

The　brook　which　lately　brawl'd　among　the　trees　Stood　still；　the　murmur　of　that　song　to　hear；　No　green　leaf　stirr'd；　and　fetter'd　seem'd　the　breeze。

The　thrush；　upstarting　in　the　distant　dell；　Shook　its　brown　wing；　with　golden　stre