George Borrow

“ And thus fair Queen thy will is done.”
“If with me, luckless me, it no better shall speed,
(The mermaid dances the floor upon)
Inform me what fortune for them is decreed,
For thus by thee can my will be done.”
“The first shall be King in old Denmark of them,
(The mermaid dances the floor upon)
The next shall succeed to the gold diadem,
By me can thus thy will be done.
p. 22“The third as the wisest of mortals shall shine,
(The mermaid dances the floor upon)
And for him thou art doomed thy young life to resign,
Thus all your will, fair Queen, I’ve done.” ”

“ To you sends Valdemar, Denmark’s King,
With your daughter he would mate.”
“Take napkins, Sirs, and water take,
Sit down at our table board;
We bid ye welcome to our land,
Fit answer we’ll award.”
To the bower high the monarch sped,
His Queen’s advice to take:
“Nobles are here from Denmark come,
And suit for our daughter make.”
p. 8“If Valdemar, King of Denmark’s land,
For our dear daughter woo,
We’ll give her to the powerful man,
And precious dowry too.” ”

“ Become their hope and stay.”
The nobles steered their ship from the land,
No cares their hearts oppress,
And they the land of Denmark made
In two months tide and less.
It was the beauteous Dagmar Queen
Before Mando neared the land,
And lo! the bold King of Denmark rode
His courser on the sand.
“Tell me, Sir Strange Ebbesen,
Ere we come nearer land,
What squinting fellow ’tis who rides
So brisk on the yellow sand?”
p. 11“Be welcome, beauteous Dagmar Queen,
Speak thereabout no word;
For know ’tis Valdemar of Denmark,
Of kingdoms three the lord. ”