The King's Wake, and Other Ballads

 
   By the early morning tide;
’Twas seven ells long, and a quarter thick,
   And more than five span wide.
 
 
But when the horse he girded was
   So fierce he ramped and reared,
That there was none of Austria’s men
   But to look upon him feared.
 
 
“Now do thou hear thou gallant horse,
   I think thou’st human wit,
Before I mount thy back upon
   I thee will ease a bit.
 
 
“Now do thy best, my gallant horse,
   Who like a buck dost play;
Here may ye see, ye German knights,
   Of Danish men the way.
 
 
“Now take away the crowned sword,
   To bear it would break my vow;
And fetch ye hither a vessel’s mast,
   I’ll wield it well I trow.”
 
 
The first course they together rode
   The Trold show’d mighty force,
Their splintered spears a furlong flew,
   And down fell either horse.
 
 
“I would but prove my horse’s strength,
   I call not this a fight;
But meet me here tomorrow’s morn
   And harder thee I’ll smite.”
 
 
Swayne Felding took the sacrament,
   And round the churchyard paced;
Within his acton next his breast
   The holy host he placed.
 
 
“And do thou hear, my Damsel fair,
   Be never down at heart;
Either shall he the saddle quit
   Or his tough neck shall start.”
 
 
Out of the city followed him
   Alike both man and dame:
“O may God grant,” the people said,
   “The Knight his foe may tame!”
 
 
“Now hand me not the puny lance
   Which ye are wont to bear;
But do ye bring, for me to wield,
   My native country’s spear.”
 
 
And now the second course they ride
   Their cheeks with fury red;
The Devil’s neck asunder went,
   Flew o’er the mead his head.
 
 
His head flew into pieces nine,
   His back asunder burst;
Swayne hied him to the Damsel’s house,
   There first he quenched his thirst.
 
 
Nine stately warriors out there came,
   Took Swayne from off his steed:
“Broad lands on thee we will bestow
   If thou wilt wed the maid.”
 
 
“O I’m betrothed to one as fair
   In Ostland realms already;
For seven tons of ruddy gold
   I would not prove unsteady.
 
 
“But build before your Hovdingsey
   A house upon the mead,
And there to Danish pilgrims give
   Good wine and best of bread.”
 
 
So Danish pilgrims there they give
   Good wine and best of bread;
They pray for brave Swayne Felding’s soul,
   He now has long been dead.