________________________________________________
Title: National Song [from The Danish Of Evald]
Author: George Borrow [
More Titles by Borrow]
Written to commemorate three great naval victories achieved by the three great Danish heroes, Christian, Juul, and Tordenskiold.
King Christian stood beside the mast
In smoke and mist.
His weapons, hammering hard and fast,
Through helms and brains of Gothmen pass'd,
Then sank each hostile sail and mast
In smoke and mist.
"Fly," said the foe, "fly all that can,
For who can Denmark's Christian
Resist?"
Niels Juul he mark'd the tempest's roar:
"Now, now's the tide!"
He hoists his banner, red as gore,
And plied his foemen aft and fore,
Loud crying 'midst the tempest's roar:
"Now, now's the tide!"
"Fly each, who knows a refuge path,
For who can Juul, when hot with wrath,
Abide!"
O North sea, Weasel's {1} flashes rent
Thy vapours dun.
Down to thy bosom heroes went,
For with those flashes death was blent;
From the fight rose a yell which rent
Thy vapours dun.
From Denmark lighteneth Tordenskiold,--
"Yield, yield to heaven's favourite bold,
And run."
Thou Danish path to fame and might,
Dark-rolling main!
Receive thy friend, who holds as light
The perils of the stormy fight,
Who braves like thee the tempest's might,
Dark-rolling main!
Bear me through battle, song and sport,
Until the grave, my final port,
I gain!
Footnote: {1}
Wessel was the family name of Tordenskiold.
Tordenskiold is an epithet bestowed upon the Danish
Admiral for his prowess and heroism.
It signifies: shield of thunder.
[The end]
George Borrow's poem: National Song [from The Danish Of Evald]
________________________________________________
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
