J. F. Campbell Collection > Our Scandinavian forefathers

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after all, the Landeyda did lead Sigurd's arms to victory. In
Motherwell's poem, the young and sireless Harald, who had been
appointed to an early and glorious death by a vision of the three
goddesses who chose out the bravest heroes for Odin, is represented
as volunteering to be the bearer of the fatal flag. The greater part
of the poem is taken up with his death-song of defiance, poured
forth as the ships are drawing near to the Irish shore. Remember-
ing then, that we too are called to a war more terrible than was ever
battled in by ancient hero, or sung by ancient skald ; remembering
too, that in that new nature of which all we read and hear should
remind us ever, there is room and call for every truly human and
heart-inspiring impulse, for everything that is pure and noble, or
that can rouse a high-strung, unselfish courage, let us listen now to
the Lay of
THE BATTLE FLAG OF SIGURD.
The eagle hearts of all the North
Have left their stormy strand ;
The warriors of the world are forth
To choose another land !
Again, their long keels sheer the wave.
Their broad sheets court the breeze ;
Again, the reckless and the brave
Ride lords of welt'ring seas.
Nor swifter from the well-bent bow
Can feather'd shaft be sped.
Than o'er the ocean's flood of snow
Then- snoring galleys tread.
Then lift the can to bearded lip,
And smite each somiding shield,
Wassaile ! to every dark ribb'd ship,
To every battle-field !
(So proudly the Skalds raise their voices of triumph.
As the Northmen ride over the broad-bosom'd billow.
Silent the self-devoted stood
Beside tlie massive tree ;
His image mirror'd in the flood
Was terrible to see !
As leaning on his gleaming axe,
And gazing on the wave.
His fearless soul was churning up
The death-rune of the brave.
Upheaving then his giant form
Upon the brown bark's prow,
And tossing back the yellow storm
Of hair from his broad brow ;
The lips of song burst open, and
The words of fire rushed out,
And thund'ring through that martial crew
Peal'd Harald's battle shout ;—
It is Harald the dauntless, that lifteth his great voice,
As the Northmen roll on with the doom-written banner.