Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.
TranslationsFrom the Swedish and Danish. The Elected Knight
S
Full seven miles broad and seven miles wide,
But never, ah never can meet with the man
A tilt with him dare ride.
A Knight full well equipped;
His steed was black, his helm was barred;
He was riding at full speed.
Twelve little golden birds;
Anon he spurred his steed with a clang,
And there sat all the birds and sang.
Twelve little golden wheels;
Anon in eddies the wild wind blew,
And round and round the wheels they flew.
A lance that was poised in rest;
And it was sharper than diamond-stone,
It made Sir Oluf’s heart to groan.
A wreath of ruddy gold;
And that gave him the Maidens Three,
The youngest was fair to behold.
If he were come from heaven down;
“Art thou Christ of Heaven,” quoth he,
“So will I yield me unto thee.”
Thou shalt not yield thee yet;
I am an Unknown Knight,
Three modest Maidens have me bedight.”
And have three maidens thee bedight,
So shalt thou ride a tilt this day,
For all the Maidens’ honor!”
They put their steeds to the test;
The second tilt they together rode
They proved their manhood best.
Neither of them would yield;
The fourth tilt they together rode
They both fell on the field.
And their blood runs unto death;
Now sit the Maidens in the high tower,
The youngest sorrows till death.