honor;
The Queen she tends, who's chosen her
Before them all to wait upon her."

"Now rede me, Helfred, sister fine,
Thy very best advice I'm needing;
How can I speak with maiden mine
Apart removed from mortals heeding?"

"The very best of silk put on,
And clothe thee in thy garments fairest;
And say that thou with her alone
Must speak, for thou my message bearest."

It was Sir Axel Thordson, knight,
As he the hall's high steps ascended,
He met Queen Malfred's damsels bright
From evening song as back they wended.

To Valborg he his snowy hand
Extends, with voice of sweetness saying:
"I come from Helfred fair, thy friend,
A private scroll to thee conveying."

The lovely Valborg op'd in haste
And read with beating heart the letter;
Therein the words of love were trac'd,
No one could have imagined better.

Within it lay five golden rings,
With roses wrought and lilies fairly;
"Sir Axel Thordson sends these things
Who thee betroth'd in childhood early.

"I have thy word to be my bride,
Now prove thou to thy promise steady;
On earth so wide or sea's salt tide
I'll ne'er deceive thee, beauteous lady."

Then to a niche proceeded both,
Obeying thus the wish of heaven;
They vowed an oath when they their troth
Had once more to each other given.

They swore an oath by Mary may,
And eke by Dorothy the sainted,
That in pure honor live would they,
And die in honor pure untainted.

Sir Axel to the King's court rides,
Delighted now beyond all measure;
In the Queen's bower Valborg bides,
And sports and smiles with glee and pleasure.

For five months' tide thus matters stood,
And till nine months had over wended,
Forth stepped eleven counts so good
And fairly for her hand pretended.

Eleven knights of prowess rare
Declared their passion well and fairly;
The twelfth was Hogen, Norway's heir,
And he pursued her late and early.

"Now do thou hear, O Valborg fine,
If thou'lt accept me for thy lover
Thou as my lawful Queen shalt shine,
And Norway's crown thy brows shall cover."

"Now do thou hear, thou King's son high,
Thy noble love I cannot favour,
For I've betrothed in secrecy
Sir Axel, and I'll wrong him never."

O then with wrath the King's son shook,
The maid no longer he entreated;
He smoothed his garb, and him betook
To where his Mother high was seated.

"Hail, hail to thee, dear Mother mine,
What