Mimmering Tan

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Title:     Mimmering Tan
Author: George Borrow [More Titles by Borrow]

The smallest man was Mimmering
E’er born in the land of Carl the King.

And ere he into the world was brought
His clothes already were for him wrought.

Ere yet he could walk across the floor,
A ponderous iron cuirass he bore.

And ere he had learnt to ride, to ride,
His father’s sword to his hip he tied.

The first time he his sword could bear
A better knight breathed not the air.

So down he went to the salt sea strand,
As the merchants lay before the land.

He saw then, under the steep hill’s side,
A knight with sheeny armour ride.

Coursing came he at headlong speed,
Grim as a lion was his steed.

“Now, gallant Sir Knight, to me attend,
Wilt let me with thee as a shield boy wend?”

“Thou art too little and young, I fear,
My heavy harness thou canst not bear.”

At that word Mimmering wrathful grew,
The Knight from his steed to earth he threw.

And much more harm to him was done,
He smote his head against a stone.

He clomb on the saddle and rode away,
He’ll fain with other knights have a fray.

And when to the green wood he had won,
There met he Vidrik Verlandson.

“Well met, well met, thou stalwart knight,
Say, wilt thou for a fair maid fight?”

Then straightway Vidrik made reply:
“I’ll meet thee, dwarf, or no man am I.”

They fought for a day, they fought for twain,
Neither could from the other the victory gain.

So good stall-brothership vowed have they,
Which should endure to the judgment day.

How should it endure that long time all?
It could not last till evening-fall.

[The end]
George Borrow's poem: Mimmering Tan

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