Bearslayer Part 16

And at the helmsman's side, A woman they could view, Who, nearing, sweetly cried In greeting to the crew:

"Your song to my ears came, Called me across the sea.

You called aloud my name; Say what you want from me!"

The sailors were amazed, And stood as turned to stone.

In wonder they all gazed, The North Wind's Daughter shown.

Her face was peach and cream; Reflected in the glare, Eyes blue as Heaven's gleam Shone in the north's pure air.

Her hair was long and gold, And to her shoulders hung.

She wore, they could behold, A rainbow robe that clung.

And on her form flowed down A snow-white woollen shawl.- Upon her head no crown, Instead, a helmet tall.

And weapons she had too, Within the ship there seen: Bow, spear, and shield on view, Stout forged from copper green.

Thus was the Daughter's form, About which legends tell.- That she provokes the storm, All sailors know full well.

With terrors she can soar Into the northern height, Lead souls of men to war, All formed up for the fight.

And when each lets his spear In warlike manner fly, On earth the people fear, Say: "War and plague are nigh!"

In the domain of the North Wind's Daughter

As first, Bearslayer stirred, The North Wind's Daughter told, That, lost, they were interred Within the northern cold.

But their desire was clear, The homeward course to find: The North Wind's Daughter here, To help might be inclined.

The Maiden now explained That this was hard to do: Few crews the course obtained- A very seldom few.

To trap them in this deep, Great storms the North Wind sent, Her father, who his sleep In ice-bound caverns spent.

Yet longer he would rest, Perhaps a month in all; For them to stay were best, Safe in her island hall.

Then later, firm she swore, To strive hard for their sake.- No course Bearslayer saw, But her advice to take.

The North Wind's Daughter steered, Her ship sailed further on, To where bright had appeared The glow that earlier shone.

And at an island's sh.o.r.e, Its hills in icy grip, Her craft she docked once more, Here led Bearslayer's ship.

She took him with his crew Far inland from the sh.o.r.e; Where they, with wondering view, A splendid castle saw.

Its towers, roof and walls Of ice were frozen hard.- They stayed outside its halls, The North Wind's sleep to guard.

Across broad fields of snow, Rose smoke clouds from the land.

Her guests she told to go, And gestured with her hand.- Some way they went apace; The air soon ceased to freeze, And snow drifts now gave place To fields and groves of trees.

Within a garden fair, Was, deep as h.e.l.l, a pit, Whence flames shot in the air, From fires eternal lit.

As they at Earth's core burned, Their endless flames rose hot, This icy island turned Into a verdant plot.

Dense foliage, full of fruit, Hung there upon each tree, With babbling brooks to suit- All creatures lived carefree.

Wild birds and beasts of prey, But farmyard creatures too, Could flourish here and play, In meadows sweet with dew.

The North Wind's Daughter's spear Upon her shield struck thrice- This made small folk appear From all sides in a trice.

At Earth's far edge they dwelled, And served the Maid's behest; These folk she now compelled To welcome every guest.

A pavilion they observed Where tables full were laid, Delicious food was served, And all was ready made.

The North Wind's Daughter bade, Her guests should there appear; And while they ate was glad, To serve to each sweet beer.

Another tent again Had beds all warm prepared, That rest might dull the pain Of hardships they had shared.-

No sun could come or go, They knew not day or night, Yet still the pit's bright glow Gave forth sufficient light.

The time pa.s.sed full of ease, Of pleasures they were sure; Each day as much could please, As had the one before.

They stayed a goodly spell, Could all their needs fulfil, It pleased them there so well, To leave none had the will.

Scene 4: The journey back

They leave the Northern Land

At last Bearslayer stirred: The Maiden he implored, To show the course preferred, And let them go on board.

The North Wind's Daughter gave Her vow all to fulfil, But sought their lives to save, With better counsel still.

For he should not retrace The path he took before, Because he there would face His enemies of yore, Who now might well succeed To smash him with their force.

Therefore, he should proceed Along a better course.

This path was long to go, And full of risks severe, But known not to the foe, Whose envy he must fear.

The course would lead him past The Land of Ogres, then, Along the coast at last, To reach his home again.

Like people with dog's jaw; Thus was the ogres' form.

They ate their meat while raw, And drank fresh blood still warm.

No mercy could distract Their hunt for humankind.

On foot their prey they tracked, Killed all that they could find!

Still, men could foil their hunt, By wearing footwear turned, The heel towards the front, So none their path discerned.- Still further was a land Where lived in caves deep set, Of little folk a band, Who helped all those they met.

Within their lands were found The Gardens of the Sun.

So when it from the ground Rose up, its course to run, It hung close to your hand.- Which meant, at dawn of day, In caves they had to stand, Or burn up in its ray.

Here shelves n.o.body knew, Nor cups on hooks hung loose; Behind the clouds they threw Their spoons straight after use.

To get the washing clean, The maids boiled what they wear; Then clouds of steam were seen, And storms formed in the air.

On leaving from this land, No more they would see sky, But in the darkness stand, And endless sea pa.s.s by.

At length their eyes would sight A Hill of Diamonds rare, That sparkles giving light.- Yet none to land should dare!

Bright shining is the peak, It glistens without stop- But let no sailor seek, To climb up to the top!

Still further on their way, The sky would lighten, then The night would yield to day, And they would see again.

A verdant island near Its beauty plain would show.- But let them all know fear, And never closer go!

This island to it draws All vessels from the sea, And once upon its sh.o.r.es, They never more come free.