THE VALKYRIE AND RAVEN

Ye men wearing bracelets Be mute whilst I sing Of Harald the hero— High Norroway’s king; I’ll duly declare A discourse which I heard, Betwixt a bright maiden And black raven bird.

The Valkyrie’s vext No war-field to find; The speech she knew well Of the wild feather’d kind, And thus she bespake him Who bears the brown bill, So proud as he perch’d on The peak of the hill.

“What do you here, ravens, And whence come ye, say, Your heads turn’d direct to The dying sun’s ray? Bits of flesh hold your claws— There’s blood flowing free From your beaks, surely nigh Dead bodies there be.”

Then wiping his beak, Bloody red, on the rock, The eagle’s sworn brother Thus answer’d and spoke: “Harald we’ve follow’d, Of Halfdan the son, Ever since from the egg That we egress have won.”

“Then ye know, bird, the king, Whose keep is in Kvine, The young king—the Norse king— Whose keels cut the brine; Red-rimm’d are his bucklers, Betarr’d are his oars— His sails are all bleach’d With the sea-spray and showers.”

“Abroad will drink Yule, The young king, and will try To wake up, O maiden, The wild game of Frey, Of the warmth of the hearth He weary is grown; He loathes the close chamber And cushions of down.

“Heard ye not the hard fight Near Hafirsfirth beach, ’Twixt the king of high kindred And Kotva the rich? Sail’d ships from the East Prepared for war stern; Their dragon heads gaped, Their gilded sides burn.

“They were fill’d with proud freemen Well furnish’d with shields, And the very best weapons The western land yields; Grimly the Baresarkers Grinn’d, biting steel,— Howl’d the wolf-heathens War madness they feel.

“They moved ’gainst the monarch Whose might makes them pine, ’Gainst the king—the Norse king— Who keeps court at Utstein; Flinch’d the king’s bark at first, For they ply’d her right well— There was hammering on helmets Ere Haklangr fell.

“Left the land to the lad With the locks long and full, Rich Kotva, the lord, Thick of neck, like the bull; ’Neath the thwarts themselves threw, They who’d wounds, in despair, Their heads to the keel And their heels to the air.

“On their shoulders their shields, Such as Swafni’s roof form, Flinging swift as a fence From the fierce stony storm; The yeomen affrighted From Hafirsfirth speed, And arrived at their homes They call hoarsely for mead.

“The slain strew the strand To the very great joy Of ourselves and of Odin, The chief of one eye.”

Valkyrie.

“Of his wars and his prowess With wonder I’ve heard; Now speak of his wives And his women, O bird!”

Raven.

“He had damsels from Holmygg And Hordaland, too; And damsels from Hedemark Dainty of hue; But he sent them with gifts To their countries again, When he wedded Ranhilda The beautiful Dane.”

Valkyrie.

“I warrant he’s bounteous! And well doth reward The warriors and gallants His kingdom who guard.”

Raven.

“O, yes, he is bounteous! And bravely they fare Who in Harald’s dominions Hew food for the bear; With coin he presents them, And keen polish’d glaives, With mail from Hungaria And Osterland slaves.”

“O happy lives have they Who help him in war, Can run to the mast-head Or manage the oar; Make the row-locks to creak, And the row-bench to crack, And in their lord’s service Are never found slack.”

Valkyrie.

“Of the Skalds now I’ll ask thee, The sons of the strain, By whom deathless honor He hopes to obtain; I doubt not, O Raven, That thou knowest well The workers of verse Who at Harald’s court dwell.”

Raven.

“By their gallant array, By the armlets they bear All of gold, you may learn To their lord they are dear; Ruddy kirtles they have That are laced at the skirts, Swords silver inlaid, And steely mail shirts: All gilded their hilts, Their helmets all graven; Gold rings on their hands.”

Valkyrie.

“Now read me, O Raven, Of the Baresarkers—how Do ye style them who wade In blood ankle-deep By no danger dismay’d?”

Raven.

“Wolf-heathens they hight, To the thick of the fray Ruddy shields who do bear, And with swords clear away; None but those who know nought Of terror can stand When stout and strong men Shiver buckler with brand.”

Valkyrie.

“Of jesting and game Our discourse shall be brief; What does Andadr do, Harald’s jester in chief?”

Raven.

“Fun Andadr loves; He makes faces and sneers, And the monarch doth laugh At the loon without ears. There are others who bear Burning brands from the fire Stick a torch ’neath their belt, Yet ne’er singe their attire; Some that dance on their heels, Or that tumble and spring— O ’tis gay in the hall Of high Harald the king!”