{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_28824/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_28824","id":"gutenberg_28824","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28824","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\n\n\n\n                                   THE\n                            MERMAID'S PROPHECY\n                                AND OTHER\n                      SONGS RELATING TO QUEEN DAGMAR\n\n\n                                    BY\n                              GEORGE BORROW\n\n                                 LONDON:\n                     PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION\n                                   1913\n\n\n\n\nSONGS RELATING TO QUEEN DAGMAR\n\n\nI.  KING VALDEMAR'S WOOING.\n\n\nValdemar King and Sir Strange bold\n   At table sat one day,\nSo many a word 'twixt them there passed\n   In amicable way.\n\n\"Hear Strange, hear! thou for a time\n   Thy native land must leave;\nThou shalt away to Bohemia far\n   My young bride to receive.\"\n\nThen answered Strange Ebbesen,\n   To answer he was not slow:\n\"Who shall attend me of thy liegemen,\n   If I to Bohemia go?\"\n\n\"Do thou take with thee young Lord Limbek,\n   Nor leave Olaf Lukke behind;\nTake rich Peter Glob, and whomsoe'er\n   Shall best please thine own mind.\n\n\"Take Sealand's Bishop, none more learned\n   There dwelleth North nor South,\nAnd take Sir Albert of Eskilsea,\n   There's eloquence in his mouth.\"\n\nIt was the young Sir Strange bold,\n   He down to the sea shore wends,\nAnd him King Valdemar himself\n   With nobles many attends.\n\nAnd they sailed over the briny wave,\n   They sailed for sennights three,\nThe nearest way to Bohemia's bounds,\n   They were at heart so free.\n\nThey furled their sail, and their anchor dropped,\n   To the land they eagerly sped;\nSo fair a band of knights they were,\n   Sir Strange at their head.\n\nWhen a little up the land they'd won\n   They dispatched their messenger,\nShould tell to Bohemia's prince that they\n   The Dane-king's envoys were.\n\nAnd to speak with him in secrecy\n   On a matter of weight they sought;\nThen silk upon the earth was spread,\n   And before the King they were brought.\n\n\"Hail to thee, King of Bohemian Land,\n   Thou sittest a prince in state;\nTo you sends Valdemar, Denmark's King,\n   With your daughter he would mate.\"\n\n\"Take napkins, Sirs, and water take,\n   Sit down at our table board;\nWe bid ye welcome to our land,\n   Fit answer we'll award.\"\n\nTo the bower high the monarch sped,\n   His Queen's advice to take:\n\"Nobles are here from Denmark come,\n   And suit for our daughter make.\"\n\n\"If Valdemar, King of Denmark's land,\n   For our dear daughter woo,\nWe'll give her to the powerful man,\n   And precious dowry too.\"\n\nThey decked her with the ruddy gold,\n   And her to the hall convey'd;\nSir Strange the knight, so fair and fine,\n   A low obeisance made.\n\nThey clad her in the silken vest,\n   And her to the hall conveyed:\n\"Here mayst thou see the princess self\n   In her graces all arrayed.\"\n\nThen they bore in the playing board,\n   Was wroughten all of gold;\nSir Strange should with the princess play,\n   And private converse hold.\n\nThe third game they together played\n   Upon that red gold board,\nSir Strange won the noble maid\n   For Valdemar his lord.\n\nSo deep 'twas getting in the night,\n   From tables they should rise,\nSir Strange must the princess bed,\n   Sir Strange bold and wise.\n\nThen they the Damsel attend to bed\n   To the valiant cavalier,\nSir Strange with respectful grace\n   Arose when she drew near.\n\n\"Now on your honour and knightly truth,\n   Sir Strange tell to me:\nWhether the King of your Danish land\n   Be handsome or not to see?\"\n\nThen answer made Sir Strange good,\n   Looked up to the star-lit sky:\n\"By the Saints above, the King of our love\n   Is handsomer twice than I.\"\n\nThey spread the silk upon the earth,\n   And the princess led to the strand,\nTo her parents dear, she bade good-night,\n   And away they bore from land.\n\nIt was the good Bohemian King\n   To advising his daughter fell:\n\"Think, think my child, on honor and fame\n   When thou in Denmark dwell.\n\n\"Pious and virtuous, kind and good,\n   To prove thyself essay\nTo thy subjects all, for thus wilt thou\n   Become their hope and stay.\"\n\nThe nobles steered their ship from the land,\n   No cares their hearts oppress,\nAnd they the land of Denmark made\n   In two months tide and less.\n\nIt was the beauteous Dagmar Queen\n   Before Mando neared the land,\nAnd lo! the bold King of Denmark rode\n   His courser on the sand.\n\n\"Tell me, Sir Strange Ebbesen,\n   Ere we come nearer land,\nWhat squinting fellow 'tis who rides\n   So brisk on the yellow sand?\"\n\n\"Be welcome, beauteous Dagmar Queen,\n   Speak thereabout no word;\nFor know 'tis Valdemar of Denmark,\n   Of kingdoms three the lord.\n\n\"My gracious liege, lady Dagmar fair,\n   Of princes he's the flower,\nHe castles has, and fortresses,\n   Three kingdoms own his power.\"\n\n\"Shame, shame befall thee, Strange dog,\n   How loudly thou canst lie;\nMethinks your boasted Danish King\n   Has only got one eye.\"\n\n\"My lovely Dame, a warrior he,\n   And the best beneath the sun;\nHe back to Denmark all the land\n   Benorth Ebb's stream has won.\n\n\"A man is he, and a prince full wise,\n   In the face dares look his foes;\nThey fly before him both East and West,\n   When he with fury glows.\n\n\"Who others life and land will risk\n   And prove war's pastime fell,\nIf a prince of blood and courageous mood\n   Will risk himself as well?\n\n\"And do thou hear, my lovely maid,\n   Be cheerful and content,\nFor ne'er so long as thou shalt live\n   This step thou shalt repent.\n\n\"And all the time that thou shalt live\n   Your servant I will be,\nAnd Denmark's gallant nobles all\n   Shall bow to thee their knee.\"\n\nSo they their bridal solemnized\n   Beneath a lucky star;\nSo heartily one another loved\n   Soon Valdemar and Dagmar.\n\nThere was rejoicing with great and small,\n   With rich men and with poor,\nBut boors and burgers most of all\n   Rejoiced from their heart's core.\n\nShe came not to burden, she came in peace,\n   To ease the good boor she came;\nIf Denmark aye such flowers had\n   She dearly would prize the same!\n\nThe love of every Danish heart\n   The good Queen Dagmar gained;\nSuch happy pleasant days there were\n   Whilst she alive remained.\n\n\n\nII.  QUEEN DAGMAR'S ARRIVAL IN DENMARK.\n\n\nIt was Bohemia's Queen began\n   Her daughter to direct:\n\"They'll show thee, when thou to Denmark come,\n   Much honor and respect.\n\n\"And when respect and honor thou win\n   In Denmark's land of fame,\nLet not the boors be with tax opprest,\n   Thus will they bless thy name.\n\n\"Be the first boon thou of thy lord dost crave,\n   Of thy lord so fair and kind,\nThat he release Bishop Valdemar,\n   His uncle, who sits confin'd.\"\n\nAnd there was silk and scarlet cloth\n   Upon the earth outspread;\n'Twas Dagmar, the youthful princess fair,\n   To the strand that down was led.\n\nThey hoisted up their silken sails\n   On the gilded yard so high,\nAnd they in less than two months space\n   Old Denmark could descry.\n\nBefore Mando they anchor cast,\n   They cast it on the white sand;\nThey took the princess Dagmar fair\n   And bore her first to land.\n\nThey took the youthful Dagmar fair\n   And bore her first to land;\n'Twas Valdemar King of Denmark old\n   That stretched to her his hand.\n\nThen there was silk, and scarlet cloth,\n   So wide on the earth outspread;\nOn Dagmar wait both Dames and maids,\n   To Ribe house she was led.\n\nSo early in the morning tide\n   Ere the sun illumed the lift,\n'Twas young and beauteous Dagmar Queen\n   That craved her morning gift.\n\n\"The first, first boon that I crave of thee,\n   My heart's beloved lord,\nLet Bishop Valdemar leave his tower\n   And be to his friends restor'd.\n\n\"The second boon I most earnestly crave,\n   Nor must thou that refuse,\nTake off from each plough the tax that's on,\n   And from prison the captives loose.\"\n\n\"Desist, desist from thy first prayer,\n   Desist, my Dagmar dear,\nIf Valdemar Bishop come but out,\n   He'll widow thee in a year.\"\n\nShe took the gold crown off her brow,\n   On the table that she set:\n\"O what shall I do in Denmark, now\n   My request denial has met?\"\n\n\"Straight fetch to me hither Sir Strange knight,\n   And Younker Canute to me call,\nThey shall away to Oringsdorg\n   And the prisoners free from thrall.\"\n\nAnd when from the tower forth he came\n   Nor walk nor stand he mought:\n\"Therein for full twelve years I sat,\n   So long the time I thought.\"\n\nA golden comb his sister took,\n   And combed his yellow hair;\nFor every lock of his she smoothed\n   She shed a briny tear.\n\n\"And do thou hear, dear sister mine,\n   Ne'er sorrow for my sake;\nIf I one single year survive\n   I'll well my wrongs ywrake.\"\n\n\"O hush, Bishop Valdemar! nor let\n   Thy fury o'er thee reign;\nComst thou once more into Seaborough tower,\n   We ne'er shall meet again.\"\n\nBut the Bishop could not stifle his wrath,\n   So the land he was forced to quit;\nIt grieved Queen Dagmar to the heart,\n   That he showed so little wit.\n\nThere was great joy over all Denmark\n   That Dagmar for Queen they had got;\nLived burger and boor in peace without\n   The plague of plough-tax and scot.\n\nChrist bless the youthful Athelings two,\n   And lengthen their vital span,\nThat justice they may, and equity,\n   Do long in sight of man!\n\n\n\nIII.  THE MERMAID'S PROPHECY.\n\n\nThe King he has caught the fair mermaid, and deep\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nIn the dungeon has placed her, to pine and to weep,\n   Because his will she had not done.\n\nThe Queen of the Danes addressed two of her band:\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\n\"To come to my presence the mermaid command,\n   For my will by her it shall be done.\"\n\nThe mermaid came in, to the Queen she up went:\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\n\"What wilt thou, O Queen, that for me thou hast sent?\n   By me thy will can never be done.\"\n\nThe Queen the blue cushion stroked down with a smile:\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\n\"Sit down pretty mermaid and rest thee awhile,\n   My will by thee must now be done.\"\n\n\"Why seek'st thou, O Queen, to betray my young life?\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nFor under that cushion is stuck a sharp knife,\n   By me thy will can never be done.\"\n\n\"If thou knowest that, then much more thou dost know,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nSo do thou my destiny unto me show,\n   And thus by thee shall my will be done.\"\n\n\"If I should thy destiny to thee announce,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nOn a fire of faggots thoud'st burn me at once!\n   By me unwilling your will is done.\n\n\"Three babes thou shalt bear, each a beautiful boy,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAnd in leaving thy womb they thy life shall destroy,\n   And thus fair Queen thy will is done.\"\n\n\"If with me, luckless me, it no better shall speed,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nInform me what fortune for them is decreed,\n   For thus by thee can my will be done.\"\n\n\"The first shall be King in old Denmark of them,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nThe next shall succeed to the gold diadem,\n   By me can thus thy will be done.\n\n\"The third as the wisest of mortals shall shine,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAnd for him thou art doomed thy young life to resign,\n   Thus all your will, fair Queen, I've done.\"\n\nIn her mantle of azure the Queen wrapt her head,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAnd unto the hall to the Monarch she sped,\n   For she her will had fairly done.\n\n\"Now hear my entreaty, my heart's belov'd Lord,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nTo my own disposal this mermaid award,\n   For she my will has fairly done.\"\n\n\"I'll not give her thee, nor her life shalt thou save,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nFor my seven brave vessels she swamped in the wave,\n   My pleasure thus she has not done.\"\n\nBlack, black as a clod grew the Queen at that word,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAnd down she fell senseless before the King's board,\n   Because her will she had fairly clone.\n\n\"My Queen and my dearest! thy heart shall not break,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nThou art free to the strand the fair mermaid to take,\n   Because thy will she has fairly done.\"\n\nThe mermaid in scarlet so fine she array'd,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAlthough she had heard her own death by her spaed,\n   For thus, for thus, her will she'd done.\n\nThe Queen gave command to the maids in her train:\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\n\"Convey ye the mermaid hence down to the main,\n   For she my will has fairly done.\"\n\nUpon the blue billows the mermaid they place,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nThe Queen fell to weeping, and sad was each face,\n   For she her will, alack! had done.\n\n\"O prythee don't weep, and O prythee don't grieve,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nHeaven's portals stand open thy soul to receive,\n   Now I thy will have fairly done.\n\n\"In the mansions of Heaven thou aye shalt remain,\n   (_The mermaid dances the floor upon_)\nAnd there perfect quiet and rest thou shalt gain--\n   Now all thy will, fair Queen, I've done!\"\n\n\n\n\nROSMER.\n\n\nBuckshank bold, and Elfinstone,\n   And more than I can mention here.\nThey caused to be built so stout a ship,\n   And unto Iceland they will steer.\n\nThey launched the ship upon the sea,\n   Which bellowed like a wrathful bear;\nDown to the bottom the vessel sank,\n   A laidly Trold has dragged it there.\n\nSank to the bottom the young Roland,\n   And round about he groped awhile.\nUntil he found the path which led\n   Unto the bower of Ellenlile.\n\nYoung Roland towards the mountain goes,\n   He saw the little sparkles fly:\n\"Betide whate'er the Lord God will\n   I here will house me verily.\"\n\nYoung Roland into the mountain went,\n   Benumbed with cold his limbs they shook:\n\"What dost thou here, thou wretched man,\n   On whom the Lord with pity look?\"\n\nThen up and spoke Dame Ellenlile:\n   \"Young swain why hither hast thou come?\nWhat message hast thou brought to me?\n   Thou'dst better far have staid at home.\n\n\"Now hie thee to the chamber in,\n   So frozen and so wet withal;\nBut cometh Rosmer Giant home\n   He'll tear thee into pieces small.\n\n\"Now sit thee down, thou wretched lad,\n   And at the fire thy body cheer;\nIf Rosmer Giant come striding in\n   He'll stick thee on this spit, I fear.\"\n\nThen home came Rosmer Shank-stretcher,\n   And thus in anger he began:\n\"Full certainly there's hither come\n   Some Christian woman, child, or man.\"\n\nThen forward stepped she, Ellenlile,\n   And swore so high and solemnly:\n\"A crow which bore a dead man's leg\n   E'en now across the house did fly.\n\n\"A crow which bore a dead man's leg\n   Just now across our house did fly;\nHe cast it in, I cast it out,\n   And that I trow full speedily.\"\n\nBut Rosmer shrieked and sprang about:\n   \"Some Christian wight thon dost conceal,\nAnd I will spit and burn thee, Dame,\n   Unless the truth thou dost reveal.\"\n\nThen Ellenlile her mantle donned,\n   And went and stood by Rosmer's knee:\n\"O here's a swain from Iceland come,\n   And he's of nearest kin to me.\"\n\n\"If there's a swain from Iceland come,\n   And if he be thy kinsman near,\nThen I to him will safety pledge,\n   No harm from me he need to fear.\"\n\nWhen he two years in the sea had been,\n   Young Roland he would fain be gone;\nFor Ellenlile was now with child,\n   A deed of folly had been done.\n\nWhen that perceived proud Ellenlile,\n   Near Rosmer King she took her stand:\n\"Now wilt thou give the stranger lad\n   Leave to return to his own land?\"\n\n\"And if the swain for home doth long,\n   Then I will take him to the shore;\nAnd I will give him silver and gold,\n   And in a coffer it will store.\n\nAnd so he took the ruddy gold,\n   And in a coffer it he laid;\nUnknown to him proud Ellenlile\n   So sly therein herself convey'd.\n\nHe takes the man beneath his arm,\n   The coffer on his back he throws;\nThen away, away beneath the salt spray\n   Striding the Giant Rosmer goes.\n\n\"Now have I brought thee to the land,\n   And moon and sun thou canst behold;\nAnd now to use as thou shalt chuse\n   I give this coffer filled with gold.\"\n\n\"I thank thee, Rosmer, honest man,\n   Thou'st brought me out of the ocean wild;\nAnd now I'll tell thee a piece of news,\n   The proud Dame Ellen is with child.\"\n\nThen ran the tears down Rosmer's cheeks,\n   As falls the dew on hill and plain:\n\"If thou hadst not my troth and oath\n   Here as thou standest thee I'd brain.\"\n\nRosmer hied to the hill so fast,\n   As hind before the hart doth run;\nAnd when he came within the hill\n   Behold proud Ellenlile was gone.\n\nBut Ellenlile took Roland's hand,\n   'Midst sport and jest away they hied;\nTo young Roland she told her tale,\n   And Roland served her as a guide.\n\nWhen Rosmer saw his love was gone,\n   So full was he of grief and dool,\nHe turned him into a huge grey rock,\n   And there he standeth like a fool.\n\n                                * * * * *\n\n                                 LONDON:\n               Printed for THOMAS J. WISE, Hampstead, N.W.\n                   _Edition limited to Thirty copies_.\n\n               _Copyright in the United States of America_\n           _by Houghton Mifflin & Co._, _for Clement Shorter_.","title":"The mermaid's prophecy, and other songs relating to Queen Dagmar","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":2928}