Hafbur and Signe: a ballad — Themes and Context

elighted heart Upon the bed himself has flung; I tell to ye for verity That as he fell his hauberk rung.

Then out and spake proud Signelil, She could not wonder half enough: “Since I’ve been born no maid has worn, That I have known, a sarke so rough.”

Her hand upon young Hafbur’s breast Which shone with ruddy gold she laid: “To me make known why are not grown Your breasts like those of another maid?”

“’Tis custom in my father’s land For maids to mount and ride to fight; My breasts not growing more, is owing Unto the chafe of my hauberk tight.”

And there reclined the night so long The youthful hero and the may; They talking kept and nothing slept, For in their hearts so much there lay.

“Now do thou hear, proud Signild fair, Since all alone ourselves we find, Tell me the truth, who is the youth For whom most stands your maiden mind?”

“O there is none within the world For whom I feel the least inclined, Save Hafbur young, whose deeds are sung, And he for me is not designed.

“Save Hafbur young whom it has been These eyes hard fortune ne’er to see; I’ve heard alone his bugle blown, When to and fro the Ting rides he.”

“And if it is prince Hafbur young Whom them dost hold at heart so dear, Straight turn your face and on him gaze, For he does lie to thee so near.”

“If thou art he, why dost thou seek A princely maiden to inveigle? In manly sort to Siward’s court Why cam’st thou not with hawk and beagle?”

“O maiden, to your father’s house Long since I came with hawk and hound; But my desire he met with ire, Still in my ear his scoffs resound.”

All, all the time that they did talk They thought that quite alone were they; But one stood near, and lent an ear To every word that they did say.

Shame, shame befall the wicked maid, ’Twas she brought much mishap to pass; She sly removed the sword approved Of Hafbur, and the new cuirass.

When she had removed the sword approved, And Hafbur’s good cuirass beside; To the hall away where Sivard lay The wicked maiden swiftly hied.

“Awake, awake, good Sivard King, Too much of sleep is in thy head! Prince Hafbur know is lying now With Signild fair in silken bed.”

“O young Prince Hafbur is not here, And it is false what thou hast told; To the Eastern main his way he’s ta’en, With Russ and Finman fight to hold.

“So hold thy peace, thou wicked wench, Nor lying tongue ’gainst Signe turn; Ere morn shall dye the Eastern sky For thy foul slander thou shalt burn.”

“Now do thou hear, my noble Lord, Believe me all my words are true! For see, I have his polished glaive, And his cuirass of beaming blue.”

So wroth grew Sivard at the sight, And loud around he ’gan to shout: “Upstand ye all my merry men tall, For here is come a Kemp so stout.

“Now take ye brand and shield in hand, And look ye wield them both aright; Unto our home is Hafbur come, Unasked by me, the hard necked wight.”

Upon the door they struck with power, With shield and faulchion struck they hard: “Come out, come out, young Bear,” they shout, “Come out unto the castle yard.”

When that heard she, proud Signelil Her lily hands she fell to wring: “Ah! dost not hear, Prince Hafbur dear, How they for thee are clamouring?”

Praise be to Hafbur, princely youth, Against a host he made a stand; They could not all the youth enthrall Till snapped the bed post in his hand.

They Hafbur took, and him they placed In shackles strong and newly made; But them in twain he burst amain, As had they only been of lead.

Then raised the ancient maid her voice, And cursèd counsel came from her: “Bind yonder Bear with Signe’s hair, And hand or foot he will not stir.

“Sirs, straightway bind ye Hafbur’s hands With one of Signe’s silken hairs; That little hair he will not dare To break, such love for her he bears.”

And they took two of Signild’s hairs, And bound with them his mighty hands; Such love possest the Hero’s breast, He would not burst the tiny bands.

Then out and spake proud Signelil, Adown her cheeks the tears ran fast: “O Hafbur tear the paltry hair, Thy Signe’s free consent thou hast.”