From the Swedish by William Strong
From the “Frithiof Saga,” Canto XI.
’T IS time to tell how Angantyr,
The earl, was seated then
High in his hall of stately fir,
Carousing with his men.
Thence he surveyed, in merry mood,
The day-car as it rolled;
Now cleaving through the purple flood,
All like a swan of gold.
Her hair was tawny with gold, her eyes with purple were dark,
Her cheeks’ pale opal burnt with a red and restless spark.
Never was lady of Milan nobler in name and in race;
Never was lady of Italy fairer to see in the face.
Never was lady on earth more true as woman and wife,
Larger in judgment and instinct, prouder in manners and life.
She...
The Court is far away —
No Umpire — have I —
My Sovereign is offended —
To gain his grace — I'd die!
I'll seek his royal feet —
I'll say — Remember — King —
Thou shalt — thyself — one day — a Child —
Implore a larger — thing —
That Empire — is of Czars —
As...
Who Court obtain within Himself
Sees every Man a King —
And Poverty of Monarchy
Is an interior thing —
No Man depose
Whom Fate Ordain —
And Who can add a Crown
To Him who doth continual
Conspire against His Own
