He's expected at night, and the pasty's The black clouds are low over the made hot, thane's castle : They broach the brown ale, and they The eagle screams-he rides on their fill the black pot; And the goodwife would wish the goodman in the mire, bosom. Scream not, grey rider of the sable cloud, Ere he lack'd a soft pillow, the Thy banquet is prepared! Barefooted Friar. Long flourish the sandal, the cord, and the cope, The dread of the devil and trust of the Pope! For to gather life's roses, unscathed by the brier, Is granted alone to the Barefooted Friar. Chap. XVII. NORMAN Saw on English oak, more, Till England's rid of all the four. Chap. XXVII. ULRICA sings:— WHET the bright steel, Sons of the White Dragon! Kindle the torch, Daughter of Hengist! The maidens of Valhalla look forth, The race of Hengist will send them guests. Shake your black tresses, maidens of Valhalla! And strike your loud timbrels for joy! Many a haughty step bends to your halls, Many a helmed head. Dark sits the evening upon the thane's castle, The black clouds gather round; Soon shall they be red as the blood of the valiant! The destroyer of forests shall shake his red crest against them; He, the bright consumer of palaces, Broad waves he his blazing banner, Red, wide, and dusky, Over the strife of the valiant; His joy is in the clashing swords and broken bucklers; He loves to lick the hissing blood as it bursts warm from the wound! All must perish! The sword cleaveth the helmet; The steel glimmers not for the carving The strong armour is pierced by the 'MERRILY SWIM WE.' THE WHITE LADY sings:MERRILY Swim we, the moon shines bright, Both current and ripple are dancing in light: We have roused the night raven, I heard him croak As we plashed along beneath the oak That flings its broad branches so far and so wide, Their shadows are dancing in midst of the tide. 'Who wakens my nestlings?' the raven he said, My beak shall ere morn in his blood be red! For a blue swollen corpse is a dainty meal, And I'll have my share with the pike and the eel.' |