He rode and lilted, he rode and sang, Then met he by chance Sir Thulé Vang; Sir Thulé Vang, with his twelve sons bold, All cased in iron, the bright and cold. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. Svend Vonved took his sword from his side, He fain would battle with knights so tried; The proud Sir Thulé he first ran through, And then, in succession, his sons he slew. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. Svend Vonved binds his sword to his side, It lists him farther to ride, to ride; He rode along by the grené shaw, The Brute-carl there with surprise he saw. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved A wild swine sat on his shoulders broad, Upon his bosom a black bear snored; And about his fingers with hair o'erhung, The squirrel sported and weasel clung. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. "Now, Brute-carl, yield thy booty to me, Or I will take it by force from thee. Say, wilt thou quickly thy beasts forego, Or venture with me to bandy a blow?" Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. "Much rather, much rather, I'll fight with thee, Than thou my booty should get from me: I never was bidden the like to do, Since good King Esmer in fight I slew." Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. "And didst thou slay King Esmer fine? Why, then thou slewest dear father mine; And soon, full soon, shalt thou pay for him, With the flesh hackt off from thy every limb!" Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. They drew a circle upon the sward; They both were dour, as the rocks are hard; Forsooth, I tell you, their hearts were steeled, The one to the other no jot would yield. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. They fought for a day, they fought for two, And so on the third they were fain to do; But ere the fourth day reached the night, The Brute-carl fell, and was slain outright. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. Svend Vonved binds his sword to his side, Farther and farther he lists to ride; He rode at the foot of a hill so steep, There saw he a herd as he drove the sheep. Look out, look out, Svend Vonved. "Now listen, Herd, with the fleecy |