{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_28774/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_28774","id":"gutenberg_28774","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28774","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Category: Poetry","Poetry"],"text":"Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email\nccx074@pglaf.org.  Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library,\nUK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was\nmade.\n\n                  [Picture: Manuscript of Finnish Arts]\n\n\n\n\n\n                               FINNISH ARTS\n                                    OR\n                        SIR THOR AND DAMSEL THURE\n                                 A BALLAD\n\n\n                                    BY\n                              GEORGE BORROW\n\n                                 LONDON:\n                     PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION\n                                   1913\n\n               _Copyright in the United States of America_\n           _by Houghton_, _Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter_.\n\n\n\n\nFINNISH ARTS\nOR\nSIR THOR AND DAMSEL THURE.\n\n\nSir Thor was a knight of prowess tried,\nThe son of a king he was beside.\n\nHe was a knight excelled by none,\nAt home such deeds of might he'd done.\n\nAnd not alone in his native home,\nBut manhood had he displayed at Rome.\n\nHe faithfully served the emperor,\nAnd hatred to all his foes he bore.\n\nKing of Norroway was his sire,\nHis fame spreads over the world entire.\n\nHe was a King both aged and grey,\nSo he summoned his son from Rome away.\n\nHe summoned his son from Rome away,\nTo help him Norway's land to sway.\n\nAs soon as the tidings reached Sir Thor,\nHe hied to the Roman Emperor.\n\n\"Hail, Emperor Ludvig, great and brave!\nThy leave to return to my sire I crave.\"\n\n\"Freely shalt thou permission gain,\nAnd thy post shall vacant for thee remain.\"\n\nHe greeted all the knightly train,\nThey begged him quickly return again.\n\nWhen from Rome he came to his own countrie,\nHis father welcomed him heartilie.\n\nHis dear son married he fain would see,\nAnd divide with him his domain would he.\n\nHe envoys sends with all despatch\nTo seek a maid with his son to match.\n\nThey travelled wide with unwearied mind\nBefore his equal they could find.\n\nO'er land and sea so wide they speed,\nUntil they reached the land of Swede.\n\nAnd when they reached the Swedish State,\nThey found one worthy to be his mate.\n\nDamsel Thura the maiden hight,\nIn Swedish land was none so bright.\n\nThe loveliest maiden in all the land,\nHer father was high Sir Sallemand.\n\nHe was a noble rich and great,\nHis equal was not in Sweden's State.\n\nSo glad to Norroway back they wend,\nThat the matter be brought to a happy end.\n\nThey the tidings to their lord declare\nThat they had found a damsel rare.\n\nNo fairer was in the Swede countrie,\nNor in all the isles there round that be.\n\nThe heart of Sir Thor with joy beat loud\nWhen they described the damsel proud.\n\nHe spoke to his men, so gallant and stout,\nWho were to attend him in his rout:\n\n\"We must quickly away, so ready make,\nI've sworn an oath I dare not break,\n\n\"As soon as the lovely rose was found,\nTo her o'er land and sea to bound.\"\n\nThey hoisted their sails on the yard so high,\nAnd out of the haven away they fly.\n\nSo gay thence sailed they every one,\nTo Sweden in less than a month they won.\n\nThe noble he steered his ship to the land,\nSir Thor was the first who stepped on the sand.\n\nThe knight he sprang on his courser red:\n\"God help us now to this lovely maid.\"\n\nAs they through the land of Sweden hied,\nThe folks received them with joy and pride.\n\nTo Sir Sallemand's house came Sir Thor on his steed,\nErect in his sables stood the Swede.\n\n\"Here stand'st thou, Sir Sallemand, gallantly dight,\nSay, wilt thou house me with thee to-night?\"\n\n\"As one from God thou shalt welcome be,\nRespect and honour I pay to thee.\"\n\nTo the hall of the women Sir Thor led they,\nHis eyes fell straight on the lovely may.\n\nThey washed their hands and to table went,\nWith the music and talk were they well content.\n\nAnd when they had feasted all so free,\nThey cried for chess to increase their glee.\n\n\"Sir Sallemand, listen to what I say,\nMay I at chess with thy daughter play?\"\n\n\"Yes, thou to play with her art free,\nWhether within or without I be.\"\n\nThe young Sir Thor and Thure the maid,\nA game of chess at the table played.\n\nThe longer they played, they happier grew,\nFull pleased with each other were the two.\n\n\"Hear thou, May Thure, thou lily bright,\nWilt thou with thy white hand thyself to me plight?\"\n\n\"Hear thou, Sir Thor, I tell thee plain,\nMy faith and troth thou may'st obtain.\n\n\"My faith and troth I would plight to thee\nIf I knew thou would'st be true to me.\"\n\n\"May Christ destroy the dastard vile\nWho a noble maid would ever beguile!\"\n\nShe gave him her troth with her hand so fair,\nBut what she did more there was none aware.\n\nFrom his hand a gold bracelet he unbound,\nAnd placed it the Damsel's arm around.\n\n\"Hear me, May Thure,\" then said he,\n\"How long wilt thou tarry a maid for me?\"\n\n\"I will, Sir Thor, if need there be,\nFor eighteen winters wait for thee.\"\n\n\"So long a time thou need'st not wait,\nNo longer a time than winters eight.\"\n\nWhen the eight winters they were o'er\nThe damsel began to grieve so sore.\n\nThe damsel began to grieve so sore,\nAnd briny tears from her eyes to pour.\n\nA noble Duke has paid her his suit,\nA hero was he, on horse and on foot.\n\nThe Duke to her royal father said:\n\"Wilt give me counsel thy daughter to wed?\n\n\"And she I'll hold, till life depart,\nAs the only lady of my heart.\"\n\nSo rash a man was Sir Sallemand,\nTo the Duke he promised his daughter's hand.\n\n\"I'll give my daughter to thy good hand,\nShe never shall go into Norroway land.\n\n\"Sir Thor shall never behold the day,\nThat he with her shall Norway sway.\"\n\nThe Damsel Thure pined so sore,\nAnd the tears afresh down her cheeks did pour.\n\nTo the castle bridge she wends her way,\nAnd watches the ships in the sound that lay.\n\nTheir sails both brown and white she viewed,\nAnd them with her fingers small she sewed.\n\n\"I sewed like sails with these fingers of mine,\nPerhaps Sir Thor yonder ploughs the brine.\"\n\nSo she lamented in piteous guise,\nBut no one heard the maiden's cries.\n\n\"To his true love each lad comes home,\nAnd why not mine across the foam?\n\n\"O would to Christ I had a friend,\nThat I to the shore a message might send.\n\n\"I'd give him presents rich and fair,\nIf he would in secret my message bear.\"\n\nStraight then answered the little foot-boy:\n\"Thy message I'll bear to the strand with joy.\"\n\nThe boy he ran to the yellow sand,\nSir Thor was steering his ship to the land.\n\nSir Thor was the first who stepped to shore,\nTo him his message the foot-boy bore.\n\n\"How speed the folk on this island, say?\nHow speeds fair Thure, my plighted may?\"\n\n\"O well doth she speed through heaven's grace,\nTo-morrow her bridal will take place.\n\n\"She's betrothed to a Duke of high degree,\nLive and die with her will he.\"\n\n\"Ere he shall gain my betrothed may,\nI'll have with that Duke a bloody fray.\"\n\nHis cloak of sable he o'er him throws,\nAnd unto Sir Sallemand's hall he goes.\n\nHe took the shining chess-table of gold,\nAnd into the high hall strode he bold.\n\n\"Is there any man this hall within,\nWho at chess with me a game can win?\n\n\"Who a game at chess can skilfully play,\nAnd win a foreigner's gold away?\"\n\nAll then sate so hushed and still,\nNone save May Thure would prove their skill.\n\nBut Damsel Thure, she answered free:\n\"Yes, I will at chess-table play with thee.\"\n\nMay Thure covered her golden head,\nAnd unto her father she is sped.\n\n\"Here thou sitt'st and drink'st wine from the shell,\nAnd may I sit down at chess-table?\n\n\"At the table a game of chess to play,\nWill help to beguile the longsome day.\"\n\n\"Yes, by the Saints! my daughter bright,\nAt chess thou may'st play from now till night.\n\n\"At chess to play thou, my girl, art free,\nWhether within or without I be.\"\n\nThereto her mother answer made,\nIn evil arts she was deeply read:\n\n\"Of Sir Thor the powerful have thou care,\nLest he at chess-table thee ensnare.\n\n\"Do thou with thy maids in thy bower stay,\nAt tables of gold thou shalt not play.\"\n\nBut the maid no ear to her mother lent,\nTo play at tables away she went.\n\nThe first game on the board they played\nWas won by Thure, the lily maid.\n\n\"The eagle flies across the moor,\nHe heeds but little the tempest's roar.\n\n\"All that he findeth he swalloweth,\nHow like to a woman devoid of faith!\"\n\n\"O do not cast such reproach at me,\nRemember I waited eight years for thee.\"\n\n\"Hear thou, Damsel, what word I say\nWilt follow me now to Norroway?\"\n\n\"I'll follow thee gladly to Norroway's land,\nIf I with thee can reach the strand.\"\n\nThe Damsel she was a lily flower,\nShe followed Sir Thor to the rugged shore.\n\nHe took her tenderly by the waist,\nAnd on the gilt prow the Damsel placed.\n\nSir Thor spread his sail on the yard-arm good,\nAnd out to the open sea he stood.\n\nThe wind filled bravely the silken sail,\nThe ship sprang lightly before the gale.\n\nSir Thor he waved his hat with delight,\n\"Bid ye, Sir Sallemand, a long good night\n\n\"And tell the Duke, when he comes to wed,\nThat Thor has taken his plighted maid.\"\n\nA messenger swift Sir Sallemand hailed:\n\"Away with thy daughter Sir Thor has sailed!\"\n\nTo that Sir Sallemand replied:\n\"She was his own betrothed bride.\"\n\nBut her mother said with a grimly frown:\n\"They soon shall sink to the bottom down.\n\n\"For I will cause a storm to blow,\nShall make them both to the bottom go.\"\n\nProud Mette and her nine witches hoar,\nThey hurried screaming to the shore.\n\nShe waked on the sea a tempest blast,\nThe sand from the bottom the waves upcast.\n\nFor seven long days, and long nights seven,\nTogether were blended earth and heaven.\n\nBut all the mother could send for their hurt,\nWith ease the daughter could avert.\n\n\"O woe is me, how rash my part,\nWhen I taught her all my secret art!\"\n\nThere was none on board that tide\nWho was able the ship to guide,\n\nSave Damsel Thure, save her alone,\nAnd of her little pages one.\n\n\"Thou little page, if thou'lt stand by me,\nFull fairly I reward will thee.\n\n\"The best of scarlet thou shalt don,\nAnd ride a noble horse upon.\"\n\n\"I will faithfully by thee stand,\nUntil in safety we gain the land.\"\n\nAnswers Sir Thor in the hold as he lies:\n\"Many suffer yet promise not in that guise.\n\n\"And many as brilliant promises give,\nYet never perform them whilst they live.\"\n\n\"Climb, little boy, on the mast so high,\nAnd see if to land we are drawing nigh.\n\n\"But whether thou steppest aft or afore,\nStep not, I pray, on my bridegroom Thor.\"\n\n\"O lady, no more of the land I see\nThan the topmost bough of the good pine tree.\n\n\"No more of the pomp of the world can I\nThan just the top of the oak espy.\"\n\n\"If the top of a tree salute thine eyes,\n'Tis time to bid my bridegroom rise.\n\n\"Sir Thor, arise, and stand on the prow,\nThe Lord to the haven brings us now.\"\n\nShe steered the vessel towards the land,\nSir Thor stepped first upon the sand.\n\nThe people of Norway thronged the shore,\nThey welcomed so well their King, Sir Thor.\n\nThey welcomed and blest their King, Sir Thor,\nBut they welcomed and blest his lady more.\n\nThe Damsel he took in such gallant way,\nHe lifted her up on his courser gray.\n\nHe bore her to his own castle fair,\nWhere they did dwell devoid of care.\n\nHis bridal with speed and with joy held he,\nTo his own repose and to her great glee.\n\nHe embraced so fondly her dainty frame,\nThe crown he gave her and Queenly name.\n\nHis palace she enters to wone therein,\nShe dons the scarlet and ermine skin.\n\nThe scarlet she wears, and the gold-laced shoe;\nMay every knight as Sir Thor prove true!\n\nSir Thor to his faith was steady and true,\nAnd true to her troth was the lady too.\n\n\n\n\nA NEW SONG\nTO AN OLD TUNE\n\n\nWho starves his wife,\n   And denies her clothing?\nBright the Shaker,\n   The humbug Quaker!\n\n_Merrily danced the Quaker's wife_,\n   _Merrily danced the Quaker_;\n_But the wife of Bright is too starved to dance_,\n   _And he's too fat to caper_.\n\nHe grudges the wretch a morsel of food,\n   He grudges her even clothing;\nOnce, 'tis said, to the cupboard she stole,\n   But there to steal found nothing.\n\nBut Bright's as fat as a bacon hog,\n   The old outrageous sinner;\nFor he will stuff at any fool's cost,\n   Who'll ask him home to dinner.\n\n_Merrily danced the Quaker's wife_,\n   _Merrily danced the Quaker_;\n_But the wife of Bright is too starved to dance_,\n   _And he's too fat to caper_.\n\nWho starves his wife,\n   And denies her clothing?\nBright the Shaker,\n   The humbug Quaker!\n\n\n\n\nODE\nFROM ANACREON\n\n\nThe earth to drink does not disdain,\nThe trees drink of the earth full fain.\n\nOf the light air the sea drinks free,\nThe red sun drinketh from the sea,\n\nAnd the red sun, at pride of noon,\nI've seen drunk up by the pale moon.\n\nThen why, friend, with me prove in ire,\nThat I to drink too feel desire?\n\n\n\n\nLINES\nFROM THE ITALIAN\n\n\n\"Repent, O repent!\" said a Friar one day\nTo a reprobate wretch, as expiring he lay;\n\n\"As I came up the stairs, I was frightened to see\nThe devil who's waiting to seize upon thee.\"\n\n\"You saw him then truly?\"  \"Too truly, alas!\"\n\"And under what shape?\"  \"Under that of an ass.\"\n\n\"Well, well!\" cried the sinner, \"I am not afraid,\nYou've only been terrified by your own shade.\"\n\n\n\n\nA DRINKING SONG\n\n\nO how my breast is glowing\n   When I am drinking wine;\nAnd how my verse is flowing\n   In honour of the nine.\n\nHow vanish grief and sorrow\n   When I am drinking wine;\nEach thought about the morrow,\n   Each project and design.\n\nThrough roseate space I'm gliding\n   When I am drinking wine;\nMy spirit 'neath the guiding\n   Of Bacchus, the divine.\n\nI crown my head with flowers\n   When I am drinking wine,\nAnd say: \"Almighty powers,\n   A quiet life be mine!\"\n\nThe air with sweets perfuming,\n   When I am drinking wine,\nI sit with damsel blooming\n   Beneath a spreading vine.\n\nNo thought am I concealing\n   When I am drinking wine;\nMy bosom's all revealing,\n   I sit beneath the vine.\n\nMy tongue I watch not over\n   When I am drinking wine;\nMy heart I all discover,\n   And naught within confine.\n\n                                * * * * *\n\n                                 LONDON:\n               Printed for THOMAS J. WISE, Hampstead, N.W.\n                   _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_.","title":"Finnish Arts; Or, Sir Thor and Damsel Thure, a Ballad","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":2524}