and danced in with glee,
And Brouk the clear wine poured so free.

On the floor stood the nobles and 'gan to sing,
Whilst Brouk proceeded to plot with the King.

Then unto his brother Duke Valdemar said:
"O Erik, we drink too much wine, I'm afraid.

"Be we on our guard 'gainst Brouk's pleasantries,
He knoweth all manner of villanies."

Duke Erik held up his good right hand:
"Shall we fear aught in our fatherland?

"We are come with a safety assurance fair,
And of no quarrel are we aware."

They drank and they danced till the day had ta'en flight,
Then illumined was torch and big wax light.

To hie now to bed the nobles desired,
And repose on the bolsters their bodies tired.

Then in to the prison tower they were led,
The King himself went in his cloak of red.

They thought that in jest the thing was done,
'Till he slammed the doors to every one.

Manlike fought Erik and scorned to yield,
As long as he'd sword or a post to wield.

Broke sword! broke post! they no more could defend!
Into prison they naked were forced to wend.

The noble brothers suffered sore,
From frost and from cold and from hunger much more.

"We'll give thee, Brouk, the gold so red,
If thou'lt give us but water and bread."

"Ye shall not obtain in Sweden here,
Or bread or water your hearts to cheer."

"Our dear brother's wife we are confident,
To let us be starved will ne'er consent.

"We know the Queen has a pitying breast,
She will straw send us whereon to rest.

"The hunger within us is sharp and strong,
Our hearts must certainly burst ere long."

Then Brouk at that word so wrathful grew,
The keys he into the salt fiord threw.

Twas dismal to hear how with hunger they roared,
Each others shoulders they devoured.

And there is yet more woe to relate,
The flesh from the sides of each other they ate.

Much misery and woe there was that tide,
In each other's arms the brothers died.

And thus things stood till five months were fled,
King Byrge came home from the war-field red.

"Now whither departed are brothers mine?
Why didst thou not give them their fill of wine?"

Then answered straight the little child:
"Brouk into the tower the nobles beguiled."

King Byrge peeped in the window through,
The state of the brothers was piteous to view.

"Now hear thou, Brouk, straight to me declare,
Where the prison keys are I gave to thy care?"

"May the blessed Christ my soul ne'er save,
If I cast them not in the briny w