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roude: "Short Studies on Great Subjects." THE SEA-KING'S BURIAL "My strength is failing fast," Said the sea-king to his men; "I shall never sail the seas As a conqueror again. But while yet a drop remains Of the life-blood in my veins, Raise, O raise me from the bed; Put the crown upon my head; Put my good sword in my hand, And so lead me to the strand, Where my ship at anchor rides Steadily; If I cannot end my life In the crimsoned battle-strife, Let me die as I have lived, On the sea." They have raised King Balder up, Put his crown upon his head; They have sheathed his limbs in mail, And the purple o'er him spread; And amid the greeting rude Of a gathering multitude, Borne him slowly to the shore-- All the energy of yore From his dim eyes flashing forth-- Old sea-lion of the north-- As he looked upon his ship Riding free, And on his forehead pale Felt the cold, refreshing gale, And heard the welcome sound Of the sea. They have borne him to the ship With a slow and solemn tread; They have placed him on the deck With his crown upon his head, Where he sat as on a throne; And have left him there alone, With his anchor ready weighed And his snowy sails displayed To the favouring wind, once more Blowing freshly from the shore; And have bidden him farewell Tenderly, Saying, "_King of mighty men, We shall meet thee yet again, In Valhalla, with the monarchs Of the sea_." Underneath him in the hold They have placed the lighted brand; And the fire was burning slow As the vessel from the land, Like a stag-hound from the slips, Darted forth from out the ships. There was music in her sail As it swelled before the gale, And a dashing at her prow As it cleft the waves below, And the good ship sped along, Scudding free; As on many a battle morn In her time she had been borne, To struggle and to conquer On the sea. And the king, with sudden strength, Started up and paced the deck, With his good sword for his staff And his robe around his neck: Once alone, he raised his hand To the people on the land; An
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