III. Frithiof's Temptation
Spring is coming, birds are twittering, forests leaf, and smiles
the sun,
And the loosened torrents downward, singing, to the ocean run;
Glowing like the cheek of Freya, peeping rosebuds 'gin to ope,
And in human hearts awaken love of life, and joy, and hope.
Now will hunt the ancient monarch, and the queen shall join the
sport:
Swarming in its gorgeous splendor, is assembled all the Court;
Bows ring loud, and quivers rattle, stallions paw the ground
alway,
And, with hoods upon their eyelids, scream the falcons for their
prey.
See, the Queen of the Chase advances! Frithiof, gaze not at the
sight!
Like a star upon a spring-cloud sits she on her palfrey white.
Half of Freya, half of Rota, yet more beauteous than these two,
And from her light hat of purple wave aloft the feathers blue.
Gaze not at her eyes' blue heaven, gaze not at her golden hair!
Oh beware! her waist is slender, full her bosom is, beware!
Look not at the rose and lily on her cheek that shifting play,
List not to the voice beloved, whispering like the wind of May.
Now the huntsman's band is ready. Hurrah! over hill and dale!
Horns ring, and the hawks right upward to the hall of Odin sail.
All the dwellers in the forest seek in fear their cavern homes,
But, with spear outstretched before her, after them the Valkyr
comes.
. . . . . . . . . .
Then threw Frithiof down his mantle, and upon the greensward
spread,
And the ancient king so trustful laid on Frithiof's knee his
head,
Slept as calmly as the hero sleepeth, after war's alarm,
On his shield, or as an infant sleeps upon its mother's arm.
As he slumbers, hark! there sings a coal-black bird upon the
bough;
"Hasten, Frithiof, slay the old man, end your quarrel at a blow:
Take his queen, for she is thine, and once the bridal kiss she
gave,
Now no human eye beholds thee, deep and silent is the grave,"
Frithiof listens; hark! there sings a snow-white bird upon the
bough:
"Though no human eye beholds thee, Odin's eye beholds thee now.
Coward! wilt thou murder sleep, and a defenceless old man slay!
Whatsoe'er thou winn'st, thou canst not win a hero's fame this
way."
Thus the two wood-birds did warble: Frithiof took his war-sword
good,
With a shudder hurled it from him, far into the gloomy wood.
Coal-black bird flies down to Nastrand, but on light, unfolded
wings,
Like the tone of harps, the other, sounding towards the sun,
upsprings.
Straight the ancient king awakens. "Sweet has been my sleep," he
said;
"Pleasantly sleeps one in the shadow, guarded by a brave man's
blade.
But where is thy sword, O stranger? Lightning's brother, where
is he?
Who thus parts you, who should never from each other parted be?"
"It avails not," Frithiof answered; "in the North are other
swords:
Sharp, O monarch! is the sword's tongue, and it speaks not
peaceful words;
Murky spirits dwell in steel blades, spirits from the Niffelhem;
Slumber is not safe before them, silver locks but anger them."
Content: From the Swedish and Danish Passages: from Frithiof's Saga: III. Frithiof's Temptation [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Translations]
Read next: From the Swedish and Danish#Passages from Frithiof's Saga#IV. Frithiof's Farewell
Read previous: From the Swedish and Danish#Passages from Frithiof's Saga#II. A Sledge-Ride on the Ice
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