Frithiof's Temptation. (from The Swedish) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDE FFDD GGEE HHIJ KKLL MNO MME PPQQ KRS QQL| Spring is coming birds are twittering forests leaf and smiles the sun | A |
| And the loosened torrents downward singing to the ocean run | A |
| Glowing like the cheek of Freya peeping rosebuds 'gin to ope | B |
| And in human hearts awaken love of life and joy and hope | B |
| - | |
| Now will hunt the ancient monarch and the queen shall join the sport | C |
| Swarming in its gorgeous splendor is assembled all the Court | C |
| Bows ring loud and quivers rattle stallions paw the ground alway | D |
| And with hoods upon their eyelids scream the falcons for their prey | E |
| - | |
| See the Queen of the Chase advances Frithiof gaze not at the sight | F |
| Like a star upon a spring cloud sits she on her palfrey white | F |
| Half of Freya half of Rota yet more beauteous than these two | D |
| And from her light hat of purple wave aloft the feathers blue | D |
| - | |
| Gaze not at her eyes' blue heaven gaze not at her golden hair | G |
| Oh beware her waist is slender full her bosom is beware | G |
| Look not at the rose and lily on her cheek that shifting play | E |
| List not to the voice beloved whispering like the wind of May | E |
| - | |
| Now the huntsman's band is ready Hurrah over hill and dale | H |
| Horns ring and the hawks right upward to the hall of Odin sail | H |
| All the dwellers in the forest seek in fear their cavern homes | I |
| But with spear outstretched before her after them the Valkyr comes | J |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Then threw Frithiof down his mantle and upon the greensward spread | K |
| And the ancient king so trustful laid on Frithiof's knee his head | K |
| Slept as calmly as the hero sleepeth after war's alarm | L |
| On his shield or as an infant sleeps upon its mother's arm | L |
| - | |
| As he slumbers hark there sings a coal black bird upon the bough | M |
| 'Hasten Frithiof slay the old man end your quarrel at a blow | N |
| Take his queen for she is thine and once the bridal kiss she gave | O |
| Now no human eye beholds thee deep and silent is the grave ' | - |
| - | |
| Frithiof listens hark there sings a snow white bird upon the bough | M |
| 'Though no human eye beholds thee Odin's eye beholds thee now | M |
| Coward wilt thou murder sleep and a defenceless old man slay | E |
| Whatsoe'er thou winn'st thou canst not win a hero's fame this way ' | - |
| - | |
| Thus the two wood birds did warble Frithiof took his war sword good | P |
| With a shudder hurled it from him far into the gloomy wood | P |
| Coal black bird flies down to Nastrand but on light unfolded wings | Q |
| Like the tone of harps the other sounding towards the sun upsprings | Q |
| - | |
| Straight the ancient king awakens 'Sweet has been my sleep ' he said | K |
| 'Pleasantly sleeps one in the shadow guarded by a brave man's blade | R |
| But where is thy sword O stranger Lightning's brother where is he | S |
| Who thus parts you who should never from each other parted be ' | - |
| - | |
| 'It avails not ' Frithiof answered 'in the North are other swords | Q |
| Sharp O monarch is the sword's tongue and it speaks not peaceful words | Q |
| Murky spirits dwell in steel blades spirits from the Niffelhem | L |
| Slumber is not safe before them silver locks but anger them ' | - |
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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