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ich rob'd the sky in gray； The pale stars glimmer'd from the milky way。 〃Ah！ now I know thy meaning； cruel bird 。 。 。 〃 She strove in vain to breathe another word。 Above her head； its leaf the aspen shook … Moist as her cheek； and pallid as her look。
Full five months pass'd； ere she； 'mid night and gloom； Brought forth with pain an infant from her womb： They baptiz'd it； at midnight's murky hour； Lest it should fall within the demon's power。 It was a boy； more lovely than the morn； Yet Sigrid's heart with bitter care was torn。 Deep in a grot； through which a brook did flow； With crystal drops they sprinkled Harrald's brow。
He grew and grew； till upon Danish ground No youth to match the stripling could be found； He was at once so graceful and so strong … His look was fire； and his speech was song。 When yet a child； he tam'd the battle steed； And only thought of war and daring deed； But yet Queen Sigrid nurs'd prophetic fears； And when she view'd him； always swam in tears。
One evening late； she lay upon her bed； （King Alf； her noble spouse； was long since dead） She felt so languid； and her aching breast With more than usual sorrow was oppress'd。 Ah； then she heard a sudden sound that thrill'd Her every nerve； and life's warm current chill'd：… The bird of death had through the casement flown； And thus he scream'd to her； in frightful tone：
〃The wealthy bird came towering； Came scowering； O'er hill and stream。 'Look here； look here； thou needy bird； How gay my feathers gleam。'
〃The needy bird came fluttering； Came muttering； And sadly sang； 'Look here； look here； thou wealthy bird； How loose my feathers hang。'
〃Remember； Queen； the stormy day； When cast away Thou wast so nigh：… Thou wast the needy bird that day； And unto me didst cry。
〃Death…raven now comes towering； Comes scowering； O'er hill and stream； But when wilt thou； Dame Sigrid fair； Thy plighted word redeem。〃
A hollow moan from Sigrid's bosom came； While he survey'd her with his eye of flame： 〃Fly；〃 said she； 〃demon monster； get thee hence！ My humble pray'r shall be my son's defence。〃 She cross'd herself； and then the fiend flew out； But first； contemptuously he danc'd about； And sang； 〃No pray'r shall save him from my rage； In Christian blood my thirst I will assuage。〃
Young Harrald seiz'd his scarlet cap； and cried； 〃I'll probe the grief my mother fain would hide；〃 Then； rushing into her apartment fair； 〃O mother；〃 said he； 〃wherefore sitt'st thou there； Far from thy family at dead of night； With lips so mute； and cheeks so ghastly white？ Tell me what lies so heavy at thy heart； Grief； when confided； loses half its smart。〃
〃O Harrald；〃 sigh'd she； yielding to his pray'r； 〃Creatures are swarming in the earth and air； Who； wild with wickedness； and hot with wrath； Wage war on those who follow virtue's path。 One of those fiends is on the watch for thee； Arm'd with a promise wrung by him from me： His blood…shot eyes in narrow sockets roll； And every night he leaves his mirksome hole。
〃He was a kind of God； in former days； Kings worshipp'd him； and minstrels sang his praise； But when Christ's doctrine through the dark North flam'd； His； and all evil spirits' might was tam'd。 He now is but a raven； yet is still Full strong enough to work on thee his will： Lost is the wretch who in his power falls … Vainly he shrieks； in vain for mercy calls。〃
She whisper'd to him then； with bloodless lip； What had befallen her on board the ship； But youthful Harrald listen'd undismay'd； And merely gripp'd the handle of his blade。 〃My son；〃 she murmur'd； when her tale was told； 〃Fear withers me； but thou look'st blythe and bold。〃 The youth uplifted then his sparkling eye； And said； whilst gazing on the moon…lit sky；
〃Once； my dear mother； at the close of day； Among tall flowers in the grove I lay； Soft sang the linnets from a thousand trees； And； sweetly lull'd； I slumber'd by degrees。 Then； heaven's curtain was； methought； undrawn； And； clad in hues that deck the brow of morn； An angel slowly sank towards the earth； Which seem'd to hail him with a smile of mirth。
〃He rais'd his hand； and bade me fix my eye Upon a chain which； hanging from the sky； Embrac'd the world； and； stretching high and low； Clink'd； as it mov'd； the notes of joy and wo： The links that came in sight were purpled o'er Full frequently with what seem'd human gore； Of various metals made； it clasp'd the mould； … Steel clung to silver； iron clung to gold。
〃Then said the angel； with majestic air； … 'The chain of destiny thou seest there。 Accept whate'er it gives； and murmur not； For hard necessity has cast each lot。' He vanish'dI awoke with sudden start； But that strange dream was graven on my heart。 I go wherever fate shall please to call； … Without God's leave； no fly to earth can fall。〃
It thundersand from midnight's mirky cloud； Comes peal on peal reverberating loud： The froth…clad breakers cast； with sullen roar； A Scottish bark upon the whiten'd shore。 Straight to the royal palace hasten then A lovely maid and thirty sea…worn men。 Minona； Scotland's princess； Scotland's boast； The storm has driven to the Danish coast。
Oft； while the train hew timber in the groves； Minona； arm in arm； with Harrald roves。 Warm from his lip the words of passion flow； Pure in her eyes the flames of passion glow。 One summer eve； upon a mossy bank； Mouth join'd to mouth； and breast to breast； they sank： The moon arose in haste to see their love； And wild birds carroll'd from the boughs above。
But now the ship； which seem'd of late a wreck； Floats with a mast set proudly on her deck。 Minona kisses Harrald's blooming face； Whilst he attends her to the parting place。 His bold young heart beats high against his side … She sail'd awayand； like one petrified； Full long he stood upon the shore； to view The smooth keel slipping through the waters blue。
Months pass； and Sigrid's sorrow disappears； The wild death…raven's might no more she fears； A gentle red bedecks her cheek again； And briny drops her eye no longer stain。 〃My Harrald stalks in manly size and strength； Swart bird of darkness； I rejoice at length； If thy curst claw could hurt my gallant son； Long； long； ere this； the deed would have been done。〃
But Harrald look'd so moody and forlorn； And thus his mother he address'd one morn： 〃Minona's face is equall'd by her mind； Methinks she calls me from her hills of wind？ Give me a ship with men and gold at need； And let me to her father's kingdom speed； I'll soon return； and back across the tide Bring thee a daughter； and myself a bride。〃
Dame Sigrid promis'd him an answer soon； And went that night； when risen was the moon； Deep through the black recesses of the wood； To where old Bruno's shelter'd cabin stood。 She enter'dthere he sat behind his board； His woollen vestment girded by a cord； The little lamp； which hung from overhead； Gleam'd on the Bible…leaves before him spread。
〃Hail to thee； Father！man of hoary age； Thy Queen demands from thee thy counsel sage。 Young Harrald to a distant land will go； And I his destiny would gladly know： Thou read'st the stars；O do the stars portend That he shall come to an untimely end？ Take from his mother's heart this one last care； And she will a