"Speak speak I thou fearful guest Who, with thy hollow breast Still in rude armor drest, Comest to daunt me! Wrapt not in Zastern balms, Bat with the fleshless palms Stretched, as if asking alms, Why dost thou haunt me?" Then, from those cavernous eyes Pale flashes seemed to rise, As when the Northern skies Gleam in December, And, like the water's flow Under December's mow, Came a dull voice of wor From the heart's chamber. I was a Viking old My deeds, though manifold, No Skald in song has told, No Saga taught thee! Take heed, that in thy verse Thou dost the tale rehearse, Tise dread a dead man's curse For this I sought thee. Far in the Northern Land, By the wild Baltic's strand, 2 with my childur hand, Tamed the gerfalcon And, with my skates fast-bound, Skimmed the half-frozen Sound, That the poor whimpering hound Trembled to walk on Oft to no frozen fair Tracked 1 the grisly bear, While from my path the hare Fled like a shadow; Oft through the forest dark Followed the were-wolf's hark, Until the soaring lark Sang from the meadow. "But when I older grew, Joining a corsan's crew, O'er the dark sea I flew With the marauders. Wild was the life we best Many the souls that sped, Many the hearts that bled, By our stern orders. "Many a warsasl-bout Wore the long Winter out, Often our midnight shout Set the cocks crowing, As we the Berserk's tale Measured in cups of ale, Draming the oaken pail, Filled to o'erflowing Once as I told in glee Tales of the stormy sea, Soft eyes dut gaze on me, Burning yet tender, And as the white stars shine On the dark Norway pine, On that dark heart of mine Fell their soft splendor. "I wooed the blue-eyed maid, Veliting, yet half afraid, And in the forest's shade Our vows were plighted Under its loosened vest Nuttered her little breast Like birds within their nest By the hawk frighted "Bright in fher father's hall Shields gleamed upon the wall, Loud sang the mistres all, Chanting his glong When of old Hildebrand I asked hu daughter's hand, Mute did the minstrels stand To hear my story..
