Then let us fly, to seek these chiefs,
Who promised aid to send:
Earl Osrick was my father's guest,
Lord Redwald is my?
y friend.”

Hermanrick then--" First let us go
To cheer yon drooping maid:
Again I'll wear my cankered arms,
Again I'll draw my blade!"

Then, from a corner of the cell,
His clashing arms appear;
But, as he marked their growing rust,

The warrior dropped a tear.

Right forth they speed: Hermanrick knew

Each pathway of the wood; And safe before the Abbey gate,

At dawn of day they stood.

Now sleep the wearied maiden's eyes

In kindness fast had sealed,

When at the gate the wandering knights
Returning day revealed.

"Quick! call the abbess," Edwy cried,

To him who kept the door;

Who watched and prayed the livelong night,
A pious priest, and poor.

The abbess came, with instant haste
The alarming bell was rung ;
And from their matted homely beds,

The saintlike virgins sprung.

Fair Athelgiva first, the dame,
Soft speaking, thus addrest,-

“My daughter, an important call
Commands me break thy rest:

"Thy brother, at the Abbey gate, Appears with features glad;

And with him comes a stranger knight, In war-worn armour clad."

With faltering step and bloodless cheek,
Young Athelgiva went:

Confusion, shame, surprise, and joy,
At once her bosom rent-

As, in the stranger knight she saw
Hermanrick's much-loved face:
Whilst he, by generous love impelled,
Rushed to her fond embrace.

Then Edwy, while entranced in bliss
The happy pair remained,
Recounted o'er the tale how he

Hermanrick-lost-regained.

But soon (alas! too soon) was heard, To damp their new-formed joys, The groan of death, the shout of war, And battle's mingled noise.

Lo!

up the hill, with breathless haste, The panting courier came:"Prepare," he cried, "for dire alarms,

And shun approaching flame!

"Fierce Hubba, landed on the beach,
Now drives our little band,
Who, far too few to stay his course,
Fly o'er the crimsoned sand."

What anguish filled the maiden's breast,

What rage her lover knew,

When glancing down the steepy hill,

They saw the tidings true!

Each warlike youth now grasped his spear:

The trembling virgin cried —

"Oh! where is now Earl Osrick's power? And where Lord Redwald's aid?"

"Alas! alas!" the abbess then,—
"Far as my sight is borne,
I neither see the ruddy Cross,
Nor hear Earl Osrick's horn!"

Stern Hubba now to direful deeds
Impelled his savage crew;
And o'er the blood-empurpled strand
The golden Raven flew.

"Behold," he calls, and waves his lance,
Where yon proud turrets rise!—
Of those who prove war's glorious toil,
Let beauty be the prize.

"There gold and beauty both are found! Then follow where I lead;

And quickly find you have not fought
For honour's empty mead❞—

He said; and pressed to gain the hill,
His shouting train pursue:
And, fired by hopes of brutal joys,
Behold the prize in view.

Young Edwy marked their near approach,

And rushed t' oppose their way;

Nor did, with equal ardour fired,
Behind Hermanrick stay.

Like mountain boars, the brother-chiefs
On Denmark's warriors flew !

And those who held the foremost ranks,
Their fury overthrew.

Soon, pierced by Edwy's fatal lance,
Lay valiant Turkil here;
There, Hardikanute bit the dust

Beneath Hermanrick's spear.

But vain are courage, strength and skill,
When two oppose an host!

A dart, with sure and deadly aim,
At Edwy-Hubba tost:

His sister, who o'erpowered with grief,
Had fainted on the floor,
Recovered by the matron's care,

Now sought the Abbey door.

When on the fatal carnaged spot
She cast her tearful eyes,

O, blessed Mary!" cried the maid,

My brother-bleeds, and dies!"

Then forth she ran, and gained the pass,

Where, pressed by thronging foes,

Hermanrick stood!

the shades of death

Her brother's eyelids close!

The furious Dane no pity knew,
Nor staid his vengeful arm;
For nought availed that heavenly face,
Which might a tiger charm!

Full on the unguarded chief he rushed,
And bore him to the ground!
The helpless maiden's shrieks of woe
In war's loud shout are drown'd.

She saw Hermanrick's quivering lip!
She marked his rolling eye!
She fainted-fell,- before her sight
Death's visions dimly fly.

And, "O thou dear and much-loved youth!"
The' expiring virgin cried,
"Howe'er in life I wronged thy truth,
Yet true, with thee, I died!"

No more she spake.-E'en Hubba felt
The force of love sincere;

Then first his breast confessed a sigh,
Then first his cheek a tear.

And now, "My friends! the rage of war,”
He call'd," awhile forbear;

And, to their mourning kindred, straight
These breathless bodies bear.

"Or, fear the wrath of Powers Divine !"
He could no farther say;

But quickly, with disordered march,
Bent to his ships his way.

And now was heard Earl Osrick's horn,
Shrill sounding through the dale;
And now was seen Lord Redwald's cross,
Red waving to the gale.

His tardy aid Earl Osrick brought

Too late, indeed, to save!

For, far beyond the' avenging sword,
The Dane now rode the wave.

Grief struck this warrior's heart, to see

In dust young Edwy's head!

And stretched by brave Hermanrick's side,

Fair Athelgiva dead!

Now, on the holy cross, he swore

A brave revenge to take

On Denmark's proud and bloody sons!

For Athelgiva's sake.