xhilaration:
"O there is neither knight nor swain
Shall leave this night my habitation.

"Proud Valborg, from suspicion freed,
I here declare my bosom's dearie;
And she shall be my Queen with speed,
And on her brows the crown shall carry."

The cloth was spread, and down to board
They sat, the skinkers did their duty;
Sir Axel sat, full many a word
Exchanging with his cherish'd beauty.

"Now list, since here apart we be,
O Valborg, thou, my ravished jewel,
Canst form no plan which possibly
May chase from us love's anguish cruel?"

"Sir Axel though to wed I go
The King, 'tis not from inclination;
Though I live years a thousand, thou
Within my heart wilt hold thy station.

"And I will sit in chamber high,
And I'll embroider cap and kirtle:
I'll pass my time so mournfully
E'en like the gentle widow'd turtle.

"Who on the green bough will not rest
Her legs, with weariness which fraught are,
Nor of the limpid pool will taste
Until her feet have soiled the water.

"But Axel thou ride forth with glee,
The hind and savage roe in quest of;
Each thought of me that comes o'er thee
I pray thou wilt thyself divest of.

"My gallant Lord ride forth with glee,
The nimble hare and leveret follow;
All thoughts of me that rise in thee
I beg thee drown in whoop and hollo."

"Though in the green wood I should ride,
And rouse the savage deer from cover,
What should I do in night's still tide
When sleep comes not my eyelids over?

"Forsooth my father's broad estate
I'll sell for gold and silver pieces,
And hie to foreign regions straight,
And pine until my life-pulse ceases."

"My Lord sell not the lands so broad
Your fathers won with toil and slaughter,
But seek Sir Asbiorn's high abode,
And ask of him his lovely daughter.

"His daughter Alhed thou shalt wed,
And with her live in pomp and splendour;
I'll stand ye in a mother's stead,
And ever kindly service render."

"O I will wed no damsel bright,
When I can vow not faith unshaking;
The Emperor's daughter I would slight
Since thee my own I've failed in making."

Archdeacon Erland now drew near,
To each a fatherly hand extended:
"Now breathe good-bye, my children dear.
'Tis time that your discourse were ended."

To himself aside the Archdeacon cried,
Was filled with indignation bitter:
"Now shame the black Canute betide,
Of this fond pair the ruthless splitter.