George Borrow

The Tale of Brynild, and King Valdemar and His Sister: Two Ballads

Published by Good Press, 2019
goodpress@okpublishing.info
EAN 4064066160661

Table of Contents


THE TALE OF BRYNILD
KING VALDEMAR AND HIS SISTER
MIRROR OF CINTRA
THE HARP

THE TALE OF BRYNILD

Table of Contents

Sivard he a colt has got,
The swiftest ’neath the sun;
Proud Brynild from the Hill of Glass
In open day he won.

Unto her did of knights and swains
The very flower ride;
Not one of them the maid to win
Could climb the mountain’s side.

The hill it was both steep and smooth;
Upon its lofty head
Her sire had set her, knight nor swain
He swore with her should wed.

Soon to the Danish monarch’s court
A messenger repaired,
To know if there was any one
To try the adventure dared.

’Twas talked about, and Sivard then
His purpose soon made known;
Said he: “I’ll try upon my colt
To bring Brynilda down.”

He rode away, the way was far,
The path was of the worst;
He saw the shining Glass Hill, where
The maid her durance curs’d.

And he away proud Brynild bore,
Nor deemed the adventure hard;
To bold Sir Nielus her he gave
To show him his regard.

Proud Brynild and proud Signelil
Those maids of beauteous mien,
Down to the river’s side they went
Their silken robes to clean.

“Now do thou hear, thou proud Brynild,
What now I say to thee,
Where didst thou get the bright gold ring
I on thy finger see?”

“How did I get the bright gold ring
Which on my hand you see?
That gave me Sivard Snareswayne,
When he betrothed me.”

“And though young Sivard gave thee that
When he his love declar’d,
He gives thee to Sir Nielus now
In proof of his regard.”

No sooner than did Brynild hear,
The haughty hearted may,
Than to the chamber high she went,
Where sick of rage she lay.

It was the proud Brynild there
Fell sick, and moaning lay;