The King Of Denmark's Sons

In Denmark gone is many a year,

So fair upriseth the rim of the sun,

Two sons of Gorm the King there were,

So grey is the sea when day is done.

Both these were gotten in lawful bed

Of Thyrre Denmark's Surety-head.

Fair was Knut of face and limb

As the breast of the Queen that suckled him.

But Harald was hot of hand and heart

As lips of lovers ere they part.

Knut sat at home in all men's love,

But over the seas must Harald rove.

And for every deed by Harald won,

Gorm laid more love on Knut alone.

On a high-tide spake the King in hall,

"Old I grow as the leaves that fall.

"Knut shall reign when I am dead,

So shall the land have peace and aid.

"But many a ship shall Harald have,

For I deem the sea well wrought for his grave."

Then none spake save the King again,

"If Knut die all my days be vain.

"And whoso the tale of his death shall tell,

Hath spoken a word to gain him hell.

"Lo here a doom I will not break,"

So fair upriseth the rim of the sun.

"For life or death or any man's sake,"

So grey is the sea when the day is done.