IXNIELS EBBESON

Niels Ebbeson was the man of his hour; and the hour was one of the blackest in Danish history. The worthless King Christopher was dead, his son Valdemar abroad, and the greedy Holstein nobles were scrambling for the choicest parts of the kingdom. One of these local tyrants, Count Gert, or Gerhardt, held Fyn and Jutland in pledge; and how the Jutlanders found deliverance is best told by a Franciscan chronicler, writing in 1385:

“Count Gerhardt of Holstein was then (Jan. 1340) in Lubeck. He heard tidings that his sister’s son, Count of Sleswik, had made agreement with the Danes that they should establish the aforesaid Valdemar (V. Atterdag, King Christopher’s son) in the kingdom, and marry him to Hedvig, the Duke’s sister. Moreover, the Count knew well that many nobles and cities would fain, for the sake of peace, have a King in the land.... Count Gerhardt sent far and wide for help, and there came to him much people.... He invaded North Jutland.... Not long thereafter the Count fell sick in Randers.... It was his custom, when he was able, to sit up at night with his chaplain, and keep the Hours like a priest. When the Danes learnt his whereabouts, sixty doughty karls assembled, came to Randers on Thursday night (April 1, 1340) and, as though they were the night-watch for the sleeping army, took possession of a stone house. When the Count had read his Hours and lain down again, they came and struck him dead in his bed, with his chaplain and three pages. Thisheard a renowned knight from Westphalia, Henrik von Vitinghof, whose lodging was hard by: he came forth and attacked them, but they escaped, each his own way, without hurt. The foreign men-at-arms are much to be blamed for defending their lord so ill; and they were forced with shame and scathe to return to the far countries whence they came.”

We learn from other sources that the patriots fired a house to divert the Germans’ attention, and that they escaped over Randers Bridge, which—having previously loosened the timbers—they broke down behind them. Thus they, and their leader Niels Ebbeson, saved Denmark from becoming a German province.

Little or nothing, apart from this exploit, is known of Niels Ebbeson; his very dwelling-place, “Noringsris”—“Norroway” in one version of his Ballad—is unidentified. He and two of his brothers fell, fighting against the Holsteiners, at Skanderborg, on November 1, 1340; and their bodies were taken to the family burial-place in Vestervig monastic church.

Three noble families claimed him; but recent researches have proved that he belonged to the Strangesons, chieftains in Ty, and descendants of Ebbe Skammelson (see No. 11), which family played a prominent part during the first half of the fourteenth century. They were connected by blood and intermarriage with another clan ofStrangesons, with the Frosters, Ove Haas, Niels Bugge, and the Globes of Vendesyssel. (This Ove Haas was a partisan of Count Gerhardt’s, and fell at Randers.) In the opening dialogue of the Ballad the Count hints at Ebbeson’s rumoured complicity with Bugge, leader of the rebellion, and tries generally to discover the attitude of Niels’ powerful connections. With the latter’s defence of Anders Frost, the trial of wits becomes a quarrel—for here the German and Danish systems of fealty are brought into collision.

The services of the vassal, by German law, belonged from birth to his liege lord, with whose consent alone could the contract be broken; whereas the Danish chieftainship was based on the Law of Commutation, which gave the vassal the annual right to “take leave” (Orlov tage) and serve another chieftain. Twice over in the Ballad does Ebbeson gives his “swains” the choice whether or no they will follow him into danger; and twice over the system of free-will service is vindicated by their answer.

Valiant attempts have been made by Danish antiquaries to identify “Swain Trøst”—Vedel, for instance, provided him with a name and a family—just as their English confrères would fain find an original for Robin Hood. But this Trusty Page had no local habitation: his veryname is borrowed from the Ballad of Young Danneved; for the Svend Trøst who saves his lord at a pinch is a figure frequently found in the ballad-world. Popular imagination, through him, does honour to all his class.

This Ballad is obviously the work of a minstrel (not contemporary with Niels), and is not associated with the Dance.

The Revised Conclusion is by another hand, and slightly later in date than the original version. A third exists, very imperfectly preserved, which is more historically accurate than either. It replaces Anders Frost by Esge, his father, and depicts Niels as asking aid of his brother Knud Ebbeson of Bygholm. We learn from it—with regret—that Niels’ speech to his house-carles, and Swain Trøst’s achievement, are the inventions of an admiring posterity.

One other poetical pæan must be quoted—the song-burst of a grave chronicler:

“M semel et ter C bis binos X lege per te.Danorum mentes beat ipse dies Sitientes!Filius Ebbonis Nicholaus more leonisstravit serpentem Gerardum bella gerentem.”

“M semel et ter C bis binos X lege per te.

Danorum mentes beat ipse dies Sitientes!

Filius Ebbonis Nicholaus more leonis

stravit serpentem Gerardum bella gerentem.”

1The Count to Denmark took his way,Nor failed for fear of strife,Tho’ langsyne ’twas to him foretoldHe there should lose his life.2Was none that might gainsay his willHis fate to put to test;Yeoman and boor and knight and knave,With all he will be guest.3The Count he called Niels EbbesonTo come and meet with him,And truce he sent him therewithal,And safety for life and limb.4The Count he met Niels EbbesonNorthward beside the sea:“Now be thou welcome, Niels Ebbeson,Right welcome unto me!5“Blithe is thy cheer, Niels Ebbeson,Retainer dear of mine!Say, what is the mind of the northern Jutes,And what of kinsmen thine?”6“Oh, kinsmen have I ’mid the northern Jutes,And my wife hath kin alsò;And all of them shall do thy will,If they thy will may know.”7“Niels Ebbeson, thou art a valiant man,And a man of wit beside,And canst thou not ride straightforward,The long way round thou’lt ride.8“Now lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,Wilt thou mine errand speed,Then say how many swains hast thouWill stand thee by at need?”9“Oh, five and forty carles have I,Such as they well may be;And be they many or be they fewRight dear are they to me.”10“And hast thou five and forty carlesWell art thou served, I ween!But last night wert thou in Sir Bugge’s holdWith a hundred mail-clad men.”11Niels Ebbeson he stamped his foot,And straight made answer high:“Is any man here, or knight or knave,Who dares maintain that lie?12“Is any man here, or knight or knave,Dares put it to the touch,Never a foot will I give back,For I have sworn as much!”13“Lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,Such words must have an end!Now seek him, and see, Sir Bugge,If he will be my friend.14“Sir Bugge and Povl Glob the youngTo do my will did swear,And Sir Anders Frost is one with them,And foremost in counsel there.15“And more have sworn to do my willThat now will work me woe;So list and heed Sir Bugge’s rede,And see how the thing will go!”16“Oh, nought know I of Sir Bugge’s mind,What he may say or do;But Anders hath kept his faith with thee,As all men will tell thee true.17“Anders hath kept his faith with thee,As all men will tell thee true;But, would he take leave of thy service,Such leave is a free man’s due.18“For this is the Danish custom,And hath been from days of yore,If a swain would cease his service,He should have leave therefor.”19Up and spake Sir Gert the CountThat liked his words right ill:“Oh, never a vassal should leave his lordSave with his lord’s good-will!”20“Oh, none is joined with a holy vowSave a monk to his cowl of grey!Let chieftains come and chieftains go,Men serve them as best they may!”21“Overbold is his speech, Niels Ebbeson,Dares bandy words with me!Or thou shalt depart from DenmarkOr I’ll hang thee to a tree!”22“And must I depart from Denmark,From wife’s and bairn’s embrace,Oh, thou shalt call it a luckless hourThat ever thou saw’st my face!”23“Get hence, get hence, Niels Ebbeson,Let all thy prating be!Or I will do what well I may,And break my truce with thee!”24“Oh, ne’er hast thou seen me so sore afraidAs to tremble for curse and ban!Look well to thyself, Lord Count, I say,And defend thy head like a man!”25“Niels Ebbeson, thy words are wild,To hold thy peace were best;But I will keep truce with thee to-dayTill the sun goes down to rest.”26Niels Ebbeson waved his lily-white hand,And turned his steed on the shore:“Farewell, Count Gert, with all thy men!Soon shall we meet once more.”27Niels Ebbeson he fled full fast,Nor spur was fain to spare,And the Count held back with all his men,Was none durst follow there.28It was he, Niels Ebbeson,That to his hold did win;It was his own dear ladyCame forth to lead him in.29“Now lithe and listen, mine own dear wife,And my rede shall rise at thee;The Count will drive me from the landOr hang me to a tree!”30“What counsel can I give to theeThat have but a woman’s wit?The worst of rede were here the bestCould we but light on it.31“The worst of rede were here the best,All in this evil hour,Either the Count to strike adownOr burn him in his bower!32“Now let thy steeds to the smithy fare(This is my counsel true),And see that their shoon turn the backward wayWhen they are shod anew.33“Oh, see that their shoon turn the backward way,So the foemen thy track shall miss,And take heed and tell to no manThat a woman taught thee this!”34Up and spake Niels Ebbeson,Unto his men cried he:“Now which of you will follow,And which take leave of me?35“Let him that now will followStretch forth his hand to me,And he that now will take his leaveSpeak up right speedilie!”36Up they stood, his Danish squires,And answered their lord so free:“Lo, all of us will followAnd risk our lives for thee!”37Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,And there their steeds did bind,And forth into the town they wentCount Gert to seek and find.38It was he, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge did ride:“Now let him take leave and go his wayDares not the brunt abide!”39Up and spake he, little boy Trust,More faithful than them all:“Now give me leave, my master,And saddle and steed withal!”40He gave him leave, his master,And saddle and steed withal,And or ever the day was overHe served him best of all.41It was he, Niels Ebbeson,With sword that smote the door:“Stand up, stand up, Lord Gert the Count,For thou shalt sleep no more!42“Stand up, Lord Gert the Count,And lend to me thine ear,Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,And he hath sent me here.43“Harken, Gert the Count,Nor longer lay thee down!Kolding is beleaguered,And burnt is Ribe town.”44“And dost thou tell me tidings true,Then good are such tidings to hear;Forth from the hold while yet we live,And forth with the steeds and gear!”45Oh, they have opened wide the doorThat the message might be sped,And it was he, Niels Ebbeson,Went up to the County’s bed.46“Oh, thou and I, Niels Ebbeson,Can a better bargain strike;Word will we send to Duke HenrikAnd Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”47“Yestere’en thy words were other,All out upon the strand;I should go to the gallows,Or get me from the land.”48Up and spake the swarthy swain:“Now waste no further word!Let be, let be thy tedious tale,And harken to the sword!”49They’ve seized him, Gert the Count,All by his golden hair,And they have hewn his neck in twainOver his bedside there.50Now when the Count was done to deathAll on their drums they beat;Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,And galloped adown the street.51Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,And fain would flee away,But there he met Sir Ove HaasThat strove to say him nay.52“Now lithe and listen, Sir Ove Haas,And see that thou let me go,For thou hast wed my kinswoman,And that thou well dost know.”53“And have I wed thy kinswoman,Then kin am I to thee,But since thou hast struck down my lordI may not let thee be!”54Niels Ebbeson drew his brand so brown,For ne’er would he shrink from strife;Sir Ove and many a Teuton swainMust there lay down his life.55It was he, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge did ride,And the little page that erst took leaveWas standing there beside.56Niels Ebbeson rode o’er the bridge,For fast his foes came on;It was the little foot-pageThat broke the bridge adown.57Niels Ebbeson rode to Noringsris,And fast he spurred his steed,Sore, good sooth, was his anguish,And sore, good sooth, his need.58She sheltered him, an old good-wife,Of loaves that had but two,And she’s given one to Niels EbbesonBecause the Count he slew!

1The Count to Denmark took his way,Nor failed for fear of strife,Tho’ langsyne ’twas to him foretoldHe there should lose his life.

The Count to Denmark took his way,

Nor failed for fear of strife,

Tho’ langsyne ’twas to him foretold

He there should lose his life.

2Was none that might gainsay his willHis fate to put to test;Yeoman and boor and knight and knave,With all he will be guest.

Was none that might gainsay his will

His fate to put to test;

Yeoman and boor and knight and knave,

With all he will be guest.

3The Count he called Niels EbbesonTo come and meet with him,And truce he sent him therewithal,And safety for life and limb.

The Count he called Niels Ebbeson

To come and meet with him,

And truce he sent him therewithal,

And safety for life and limb.

4The Count he met Niels EbbesonNorthward beside the sea:“Now be thou welcome, Niels Ebbeson,Right welcome unto me!

The Count he met Niels Ebbeson

Northward beside the sea:

“Now be thou welcome, Niels Ebbeson,

Right welcome unto me!

5“Blithe is thy cheer, Niels Ebbeson,Retainer dear of mine!Say, what is the mind of the northern Jutes,And what of kinsmen thine?”

“Blithe is thy cheer, Niels Ebbeson,

Retainer dear of mine!

Say, what is the mind of the northern Jutes,

And what of kinsmen thine?”

6“Oh, kinsmen have I ’mid the northern Jutes,And my wife hath kin alsò;And all of them shall do thy will,If they thy will may know.”

“Oh, kinsmen have I ’mid the northern Jutes,

And my wife hath kin alsò;

And all of them shall do thy will,

If they thy will may know.”

7“Niels Ebbeson, thou art a valiant man,And a man of wit beside,And canst thou not ride straightforward,The long way round thou’lt ride.

“Niels Ebbeson, thou art a valiant man,

And a man of wit beside,

And canst thou not ride straightforward,

The long way round thou’lt ride.

8“Now lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,Wilt thou mine errand speed,Then say how many swains hast thouWill stand thee by at need?”

“Now lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,

Wilt thou mine errand speed,

Then say how many swains hast thou

Will stand thee by at need?”

9“Oh, five and forty carles have I,Such as they well may be;And be they many or be they fewRight dear are they to me.”

“Oh, five and forty carles have I,

Such as they well may be;

And be they many or be they few

Right dear are they to me.”

10“And hast thou five and forty carlesWell art thou served, I ween!But last night wert thou in Sir Bugge’s holdWith a hundred mail-clad men.”

“And hast thou five and forty carles

Well art thou served, I ween!

But last night wert thou in Sir Bugge’s hold

With a hundred mail-clad men.”

11Niels Ebbeson he stamped his foot,And straight made answer high:“Is any man here, or knight or knave,Who dares maintain that lie?

Niels Ebbeson he stamped his foot,

And straight made answer high:

“Is any man here, or knight or knave,

Who dares maintain that lie?

12“Is any man here, or knight or knave,Dares put it to the touch,Never a foot will I give back,For I have sworn as much!”

“Is any man here, or knight or knave,

Dares put it to the touch,

Never a foot will I give back,

For I have sworn as much!”

13“Lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,Such words must have an end!Now seek him, and see, Sir Bugge,If he will be my friend.

“Lithe and listen, Niels Ebbeson,

Such words must have an end!

Now seek him, and see, Sir Bugge,

If he will be my friend.

14“Sir Bugge and Povl Glob the youngTo do my will did swear,And Sir Anders Frost is one with them,And foremost in counsel there.

“Sir Bugge and Povl Glob the young

To do my will did swear,

And Sir Anders Frost is one with them,

And foremost in counsel there.

15“And more have sworn to do my willThat now will work me woe;So list and heed Sir Bugge’s rede,And see how the thing will go!”

“And more have sworn to do my will

That now will work me woe;

So list and heed Sir Bugge’s rede,

And see how the thing will go!”

16“Oh, nought know I of Sir Bugge’s mind,What he may say or do;But Anders hath kept his faith with thee,As all men will tell thee true.

“Oh, nought know I of Sir Bugge’s mind,

What he may say or do;

But Anders hath kept his faith with thee,

As all men will tell thee true.

17“Anders hath kept his faith with thee,As all men will tell thee true;But, would he take leave of thy service,Such leave is a free man’s due.

“Anders hath kept his faith with thee,

As all men will tell thee true;

But, would he take leave of thy service,

Such leave is a free man’s due.

18“For this is the Danish custom,And hath been from days of yore,If a swain would cease his service,He should have leave therefor.”

“For this is the Danish custom,

And hath been from days of yore,

If a swain would cease his service,

He should have leave therefor.”

19Up and spake Sir Gert the CountThat liked his words right ill:“Oh, never a vassal should leave his lordSave with his lord’s good-will!”

Up and spake Sir Gert the Count

That liked his words right ill:

“Oh, never a vassal should leave his lord

Save with his lord’s good-will!”

20“Oh, none is joined with a holy vowSave a monk to his cowl of grey!Let chieftains come and chieftains go,Men serve them as best they may!”

“Oh, none is joined with a holy vow

Save a monk to his cowl of grey!

Let chieftains come and chieftains go,

Men serve them as best they may!”

21“Overbold is his speech, Niels Ebbeson,Dares bandy words with me!Or thou shalt depart from DenmarkOr I’ll hang thee to a tree!”

“Overbold is his speech, Niels Ebbeson,

Dares bandy words with me!

Or thou shalt depart from Denmark

Or I’ll hang thee to a tree!”

22“And must I depart from Denmark,From wife’s and bairn’s embrace,Oh, thou shalt call it a luckless hourThat ever thou saw’st my face!”

“And must I depart from Denmark,

From wife’s and bairn’s embrace,

Oh, thou shalt call it a luckless hour

That ever thou saw’st my face!”

23“Get hence, get hence, Niels Ebbeson,Let all thy prating be!Or I will do what well I may,And break my truce with thee!”

“Get hence, get hence, Niels Ebbeson,

Let all thy prating be!

Or I will do what well I may,

And break my truce with thee!”

24“Oh, ne’er hast thou seen me so sore afraidAs to tremble for curse and ban!Look well to thyself, Lord Count, I say,And defend thy head like a man!”

“Oh, ne’er hast thou seen me so sore afraid

As to tremble for curse and ban!

Look well to thyself, Lord Count, I say,

And defend thy head like a man!”

25“Niels Ebbeson, thy words are wild,To hold thy peace were best;But I will keep truce with thee to-dayTill the sun goes down to rest.”

“Niels Ebbeson, thy words are wild,

To hold thy peace were best;

But I will keep truce with thee to-day

Till the sun goes down to rest.”

26Niels Ebbeson waved his lily-white hand,And turned his steed on the shore:“Farewell, Count Gert, with all thy men!Soon shall we meet once more.”

Niels Ebbeson waved his lily-white hand,

And turned his steed on the shore:

“Farewell, Count Gert, with all thy men!

Soon shall we meet once more.”

27Niels Ebbeson he fled full fast,Nor spur was fain to spare,And the Count held back with all his men,Was none durst follow there.

Niels Ebbeson he fled full fast,

Nor spur was fain to spare,

And the Count held back with all his men,

Was none durst follow there.

28It was he, Niels Ebbeson,That to his hold did win;It was his own dear ladyCame forth to lead him in.

It was he, Niels Ebbeson,

That to his hold did win;

It was his own dear lady

Came forth to lead him in.

29“Now lithe and listen, mine own dear wife,And my rede shall rise at thee;The Count will drive me from the landOr hang me to a tree!”

“Now lithe and listen, mine own dear wife,

And my rede shall rise at thee;

The Count will drive me from the land

Or hang me to a tree!”

30“What counsel can I give to theeThat have but a woman’s wit?The worst of rede were here the bestCould we but light on it.

“What counsel can I give to thee

That have but a woman’s wit?

The worst of rede were here the best

Could we but light on it.

31“The worst of rede were here the best,All in this evil hour,Either the Count to strike adownOr burn him in his bower!

“The worst of rede were here the best,

All in this evil hour,

Either the Count to strike adown

Or burn him in his bower!

32“Now let thy steeds to the smithy fare(This is my counsel true),And see that their shoon turn the backward wayWhen they are shod anew.

“Now let thy steeds to the smithy fare

(This is my counsel true),

And see that their shoon turn the backward way

When they are shod anew.

33“Oh, see that their shoon turn the backward way,So the foemen thy track shall miss,And take heed and tell to no manThat a woman taught thee this!”

“Oh, see that their shoon turn the backward way,

So the foemen thy track shall miss,

And take heed and tell to no man

That a woman taught thee this!”

34Up and spake Niels Ebbeson,Unto his men cried he:“Now which of you will follow,And which take leave of me?

Up and spake Niels Ebbeson,

Unto his men cried he:

“Now which of you will follow,

And which take leave of me?

35“Let him that now will followStretch forth his hand to me,And he that now will take his leaveSpeak up right speedilie!”

“Let him that now will follow

Stretch forth his hand to me,

And he that now will take his leave

Speak up right speedilie!”

36Up they stood, his Danish squires,And answered their lord so free:“Lo, all of us will followAnd risk our lives for thee!”

Up they stood, his Danish squires,

And answered their lord so free:

“Lo, all of us will follow

And risk our lives for thee!”

37Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,And there their steeds did bind,And forth into the town they wentCount Gert to seek and find.

Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,

And there their steeds did bind,

And forth into the town they went

Count Gert to seek and find.

38It was he, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge did ride:“Now let him take leave and go his wayDares not the brunt abide!”

It was he, Niels Ebbeson,

To Randers Bridge did ride:

“Now let him take leave and go his way

Dares not the brunt abide!”

39Up and spake he, little boy Trust,More faithful than them all:“Now give me leave, my master,And saddle and steed withal!”

Up and spake he, little boy Trust,

More faithful than them all:

“Now give me leave, my master,

And saddle and steed withal!”

40He gave him leave, his master,And saddle and steed withal,And or ever the day was overHe served him best of all.

He gave him leave, his master,

And saddle and steed withal,

And or ever the day was over

He served him best of all.

41It was he, Niels Ebbeson,With sword that smote the door:“Stand up, stand up, Lord Gert the Count,For thou shalt sleep no more!

It was he, Niels Ebbeson,

With sword that smote the door:

“Stand up, stand up, Lord Gert the Count,

For thou shalt sleep no more!

42“Stand up, Lord Gert the Count,And lend to me thine ear,Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,And he hath sent me here.

“Stand up, Lord Gert the Count,

And lend to me thine ear,

Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,

And he hath sent me here.

43“Harken, Gert the Count,Nor longer lay thee down!Kolding is beleaguered,And burnt is Ribe town.”

“Harken, Gert the Count,

Nor longer lay thee down!

Kolding is beleaguered,

And burnt is Ribe town.”

44“And dost thou tell me tidings true,Then good are such tidings to hear;Forth from the hold while yet we live,And forth with the steeds and gear!”

“And dost thou tell me tidings true,

Then good are such tidings to hear;

Forth from the hold while yet we live,

And forth with the steeds and gear!”

45Oh, they have opened wide the doorThat the message might be sped,And it was he, Niels Ebbeson,Went up to the County’s bed.

Oh, they have opened wide the door

That the message might be sped,

And it was he, Niels Ebbeson,

Went up to the County’s bed.

46“Oh, thou and I, Niels Ebbeson,Can a better bargain strike;Word will we send to Duke HenrikAnd Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”

“Oh, thou and I, Niels Ebbeson,

Can a better bargain strike;

Word will we send to Duke Henrik

And Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”

47“Yestere’en thy words were other,All out upon the strand;I should go to the gallows,Or get me from the land.”

“Yestere’en thy words were other,

All out upon the strand;

I should go to the gallows,

Or get me from the land.”

48Up and spake the swarthy swain:“Now waste no further word!Let be, let be thy tedious tale,And harken to the sword!”

Up and spake the swarthy swain:

“Now waste no further word!

Let be, let be thy tedious tale,

And harken to the sword!”

49They’ve seized him, Gert the Count,All by his golden hair,And they have hewn his neck in twainOver his bedside there.

They’ve seized him, Gert the Count,

All by his golden hair,

And they have hewn his neck in twain

Over his bedside there.

50Now when the Count was done to deathAll on their drums they beat;Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,And galloped adown the street.

Now when the Count was done to death

All on their drums they beat;

Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,

And galloped adown the street.

51Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,And fain would flee away,But there he met Sir Ove HaasThat strove to say him nay.

Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,

And fain would flee away,

But there he met Sir Ove Haas

That strove to say him nay.

52“Now lithe and listen, Sir Ove Haas,And see that thou let me go,For thou hast wed my kinswoman,And that thou well dost know.”

“Now lithe and listen, Sir Ove Haas,

And see that thou let me go,

For thou hast wed my kinswoman,

And that thou well dost know.”

53“And have I wed thy kinswoman,Then kin am I to thee,But since thou hast struck down my lordI may not let thee be!”

“And have I wed thy kinswoman,

Then kin am I to thee,

But since thou hast struck down my lord

I may not let thee be!”

54Niels Ebbeson drew his brand so brown,For ne’er would he shrink from strife;Sir Ove and many a Teuton swainMust there lay down his life.

Niels Ebbeson drew his brand so brown,

For ne’er would he shrink from strife;

Sir Ove and many a Teuton swain

Must there lay down his life.

55It was he, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge did ride,And the little page that erst took leaveWas standing there beside.

It was he, Niels Ebbeson,

To Randers Bridge did ride,

And the little page that erst took leave

Was standing there beside.

56Niels Ebbeson rode o’er the bridge,For fast his foes came on;It was the little foot-pageThat broke the bridge adown.

Niels Ebbeson rode o’er the bridge,

For fast his foes came on;

It was the little foot-page

That broke the bridge adown.

57Niels Ebbeson rode to Noringsris,And fast he spurred his steed,Sore, good sooth, was his anguish,And sore, good sooth, his need.

Niels Ebbeson rode to Noringsris,

And fast he spurred his steed,

Sore, good sooth, was his anguish,

And sore, good sooth, his need.

58She sheltered him, an old good-wife,Of loaves that had but two,And she’s given one to Niels EbbesonBecause the Count he slew!

She sheltered him, an old good-wife,

Of loaves that had but two,

And she’s given one to Niels Ebbeson

Because the Count he slew!

34“Now eat ye, and drink, my Danish squires,And see that your hearts be gay!For when the night is overpastOh, then we will seize the day.35“When day doth dawn and sun doth shineWe shall have tidings new;And then shall I see, ’mid all my men,How many will stand me true.”36Up they stood, the Danish squires,And answered their lord so free:“Oh, we will risk both goods and lifeAnd all to ride with thee!”37Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,And there their steeds they bind,And in they’ve gone to Randers town,Count Gert to seek and find.38Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge came he:“Now let him take leave and go his wayThat will not follow me!”39Up they stood, the captains good,Swore fealty to their lord anew,All but Niels Ebbeson’s sister’s son,Was there to him untrue.40It was he, Niels Ebbeson,With sword that smote the door:“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,For thou shalt sleep no more!41“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,And lend to me thine ear!Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,And he hath sent me here.”42“And art thou Duke Henrik’s messenger,Then tarry thou not too long;To-morrow we’ll meet in the Greyfriars’ Kirk’Twixt Mass and Evensong.”43“Stand up, Sir Gert the Count,Nor longer lay thee down!Kolding is beleaguered,And burnt is Ribe town!”44Forth from the window looked the Count,And the shining spears he spied:“Oh, luckless the hour that I came in!Niels Ebbeson holds outside.”45They knocked at the door with glaive and with spear,That loosed were lock and link:“Art thou within, Lord Gert the Count,A health to thee we’ll drink!”46“Now set thee down upon my bed,A league we can form, belike;Word will we send to Duke Henrik,And Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”47“Oh, neither keep nor hold have ITo guard so rich a prey!Draw out, draw out the swords so sharp,And let them have their way!”48The goose did cackle, the sheep did bleat,And the cock in the high loft crew;’Twas by daylight and not in darknessThat Gert the Count they slew.49God rest thy soul, Niels Ebbeson,All for that slaying’s sake!Full many a German in DenmarkThe self-same way shall take.

34“Now eat ye, and drink, my Danish squires,And see that your hearts be gay!For when the night is overpastOh, then we will seize the day.

“Now eat ye, and drink, my Danish squires,

And see that your hearts be gay!

For when the night is overpast

Oh, then we will seize the day.

35“When day doth dawn and sun doth shineWe shall have tidings new;And then shall I see, ’mid all my men,How many will stand me true.”

“When day doth dawn and sun doth shine

We shall have tidings new;

And then shall I see, ’mid all my men,

How many will stand me true.”

36Up they stood, the Danish squires,And answered their lord so free:“Oh, we will risk both goods and lifeAnd all to ride with thee!”

Up they stood, the Danish squires,

And answered their lord so free:

“Oh, we will risk both goods and life

And all to ride with thee!”

37Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,And there their steeds they bind,And in they’ve gone to Randers town,Count Gert to seek and find.

Oh, up they rode to Lady-wood,

And there their steeds they bind,

And in they’ve gone to Randers town,

Count Gert to seek and find.

38Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,To Randers Bridge came he:“Now let him take leave and go his wayThat will not follow me!”

Forth he fared, Niels Ebbeson,

To Randers Bridge came he:

“Now let him take leave and go his way

That will not follow me!”

39Up they stood, the captains good,Swore fealty to their lord anew,All but Niels Ebbeson’s sister’s son,Was there to him untrue.

Up they stood, the captains good,

Swore fealty to their lord anew,

All but Niels Ebbeson’s sister’s son,

Was there to him untrue.

40It was he, Niels Ebbeson,With sword that smote the door:“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,For thou shalt sleep no more!

It was he, Niels Ebbeson,

With sword that smote the door:

“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,

For thou shalt sleep no more!

41“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,And lend to me thine ear!Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,And he hath sent me here.”

“Stand up, stand up, Sir Gert the Count,

And lend to me thine ear!

Duke Henrik’s messenger am I,

And he hath sent me here.”

42“And art thou Duke Henrik’s messenger,Then tarry thou not too long;To-morrow we’ll meet in the Greyfriars’ Kirk’Twixt Mass and Evensong.”

“And art thou Duke Henrik’s messenger,

Then tarry thou not too long;

To-morrow we’ll meet in the Greyfriars’ Kirk

’Twixt Mass and Evensong.”

43“Stand up, Sir Gert the Count,Nor longer lay thee down!Kolding is beleaguered,And burnt is Ribe town!”

“Stand up, Sir Gert the Count,

Nor longer lay thee down!

Kolding is beleaguered,

And burnt is Ribe town!”

44Forth from the window looked the Count,And the shining spears he spied:“Oh, luckless the hour that I came in!Niels Ebbeson holds outside.”

Forth from the window looked the Count,

And the shining spears he spied:

“Oh, luckless the hour that I came in!

Niels Ebbeson holds outside.”

45They knocked at the door with glaive and with spear,That loosed were lock and link:“Art thou within, Lord Gert the Count,A health to thee we’ll drink!”

They knocked at the door with glaive and with spear,

That loosed were lock and link:

“Art thou within, Lord Gert the Count,

A health to thee we’ll drink!”

46“Now set thee down upon my bed,A league we can form, belike;Word will we send to Duke Henrik,And Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”

“Now set thee down upon my bed,

A league we can form, belike;

Word will we send to Duke Henrik,

And Sir Klaus Krummerdike.”

47“Oh, neither keep nor hold have ITo guard so rich a prey!Draw out, draw out the swords so sharp,And let them have their way!”

“Oh, neither keep nor hold have I

To guard so rich a prey!

Draw out, draw out the swords so sharp,

And let them have their way!”

48The goose did cackle, the sheep did bleat,And the cock in the high loft crew;’Twas by daylight and not in darknessThat Gert the Count they slew.

The goose did cackle, the sheep did bleat,

And the cock in the high loft crew;

’Twas by daylight and not in darkness

That Gert the Count they slew.

49God rest thy soul, Niels Ebbeson,All for that slaying’s sake!Full many a German in DenmarkThe self-same way shall take.

God rest thy soul, Niels Ebbeson,

All for that slaying’s sake!

Full many a German in Denmark

The self-same way shall take.

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