Читать книгу: «Tord of Hafsborough, and Other Ballads», страница 3

PETER COLBIORNSEN

 
   ’Fore Fredereksteen King Carl he lay
      With mighty host;
   But Frederekshal from day to day,
      Much trouble cost.
   To seize the sword each citizen
      His tools let fall,
   And valiant Peter Colbiornsen
      Was first of all.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   ’Gainst Frederekshal so fierce and grim
      Turned Carl his might,
   The citizens encountered him
      In numbers slight,
   But ah, they fought like Northern men,
      For much loved land,
   And it was Peter Colbiornsen
      That led the band.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   Such heavy blows the Norsemen deal
      Amid the foe,
   Like ripe corn ’fore the reaper’s steel
      The Swedes sink low.
   But sturdiest reaper weary will,
      So happ’d it here;
   Though many the Norwegians kill,
      More, more appear.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   Before superior force they flew,
      As Norsemen fly,
   They but retired, the fight anew
      Unawed to ply.
   Now o’er the bodies of his slain
      His way Carl makes;
   He thinks he has the city ta’en,
      But he mistakes.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   A speedy death his soldiers found
      Where’er they came;
   For Norse were posted all around,
      And greeted them;
   Then Carl he sent, but sorely vext,
      To Fredereksteen,
   And begg’d that he might bury next
      His slaughtered men.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   “No time, no time to squander e’er
      Have Norsemen bold,
   He came self-bidden ’mongst us here,”
      Thus Carl was told;
   “If we can drive him back agen,
      We now must try!”
   And it was Peter Colbiornsen
      Made that reply.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   Lo! from the town the flames outburst,
      High-minded men!
   And he who fired his house the first
      Was Colbiornsen.
   Eager to quench the fire, the foes
      Make quick resort,
   But bullets fell as fast as snows
      Down from the fort.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   Now rose the blazes toward the sky,
      Red, terrible,
   His heroes’ death the King thereby
      Could see right well.
   Sir Peter’s word he then made good,
      His host retires;
   But in his path the steen it stood,
      And on him fires.
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.
 
 
   Magnificent ’midst corse and blood
      Glowed Frederekshal;
   Illum’d its own men’s courage proud,
      And Swedesmen’s fall.
   Whoe’er saw pile funereal flame
      So bright as then?
   Sure never shall expire thy name,
      O Colbiornsen!
Thus for Norroway fight the Norsemen.