queen of affection and beauty.

The offerings and vala and priest denied
 The wished-for token;
And Helge, affrighted by signs he'd tried,
With "No," replied,
 For men must obey when the gods have spoken.

But merry king Halfdan laughed gayly, and said,
 "The feast is ended,
King Gray-beard himself should have come instead,
I'd glad have led
 His beast, and his mounting attended."

Indignant the embassy went away,
 Nor longer tarried;
"King Graybeard his honor'll avenge one day,"
Is Ring heard to say,
 When to him the curt message is carried.

He strikes his bright shield hanging high on a bough,—
 His weapon seizes;
And many a dragon is hurrying now,
With blood-red prow,
 And helmet plumes wave in the breezes.

The tidings flew swiftly to Helge king,
 Who answered slowly:
"The strife will be bloody, for mighty is Ring;
My sister bring
 To the temple of Balder, the holy."

There sitteth the loving one, full of woes,
 Though safe abiding:
She weeps, while with silk and with god she sews
A tear overflows,—
 The dew 'mid the lilies is hiding.