"_So young and little as here I seem_,
_Thou shalt find me prompt in a fray_;
_I'll hew the head from thy shoulders off_,
_And thy much gold bear away_."

* * * * *

_It was Langben the lofty Jutt_,
_He wav'd his steel mace round_;
_He sent a blow after Vidrik_;
_But the mace struck deep in the ground_.

_It was Langben the lofty Jutt_,
_Who had thought his foeman to slay_,
_But the blow fell short of Vidrik_;
_For the good horse bore him away_.

_It was Langben the lofty Jutt_,
_That shouted in wild despair_:
"_Now lies my mace in the hillock fast_,
_As though_ '_twere hammered in there_!"

* * * * *

"_Accursed be thou_, _young Vidrik_!
_And accursed thy piercing steel_!
_Thou hast given me_, _see_, _a wound in my breast_,
_Whence rise the pains I feel_."

* * * * *

"_Now hear_, _now hear_, _thou warrior youth_,
_Thou canst wheel thy courser about_;
_But in every feat of manly strength_
_I could beat thee out and out_."

1854.

"_My father was a smith by trade_,
_And Verland Smith he hight_;
_Bodild they call'd my mother dear_,
_A monarch's daughter bright_.

"_Blank do I call my helm_, _thereon_
_Full many a sword has snapped_;
_Skrepping I call my shield_, _thereon_
_Full many a shaft has rapped_.

"_Skimming I call my steed_, _begot_
_From the wild mare of the wood_;
_Mimmering have I named my sword_,
'_Tis hardened in heroes' blood_.

"_And I am Viderik Verlandson_,
_Bright steel for clothes I wear_;
_Stand up on thy long legs_, _or I_
_Will pin thee to thy lair_!

"_Stand up on thy long legs_, _nor look_
_So dogged and so grim_;
_The King doth hold before the wood_,
_Thy treasure yield to him_!"

"_Whatever gold I here possess_
_I'll keep_, _like a Kemp of worth_;
_I'll yield it at no horseboy's word_
_To any King on earth_!"

"_So young and little as I seem_
_I'm active in a fray_;
_I'll hew thy head_, _thou lubbard_, _off_,
_And bear thy gold away_!"

* * * * *

_It was Langben the Giant waved_
_His steely mace around_;
_He sent a blow at Vid