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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 28
Tord of Meeresburg and the Ugly Dwarf
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Tord of Meeresburg and the Ugly Dwarf.
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t was Tord of Meeresburg who rode o'er the plain away, And there he has lost his hammer of gold—'twas lost for many a day.
It was Tord of Meeresburg—he spake to his brother dear:
- "Thou shalt go to the Norland burg, and bring me my hammer here."
- And that was Lokke the serving man, a feather-garb took he,
- So flew he away to the Norland burg, all over the salt salt sea;
- And in the midst of the court-yard, then shouldered he his cloak;
- So went he in to the ugly dwarf, who then to him thus spoke:
- "Welcome, Lokke, thou serving man, welcome art thou to me;
- How goes it now at Meeresburg, and in all lands over the seal"
- "Well goes it all at Meeresburg, and well with all lands there;
- But Tord has lost that hammer of his, and so am I come here."page 40
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- "Tord shall not get his hammer again, and to him thou canst that say,
- For five and fifty fathoms deep in earth does it buried lay.
- "Tord shall not get his hammer again, I freely tell to thee,
- Unless the maiden Fridlefsborg with her gear you bring to me."
- It was Lokke the serving man, his feather-garb took he,
- And over the sea again he flew, home to Ms own countrie.
- And in the midst of the castle yard then shouldered he his cloak,
- So went he into the castle hall, and thus to his brother spoke:
- "Thou shalt not get thy hammer again, in truth I tell to thee,
- Unless the maiden Fridlefsborg and all her gear gets he."
- But from the bench whereon she sat, that haughty maiden said:
- "Rather would I a christened man than this hateful monster wed;
- "But let us now take our father old, his hair comb cunningly,
- And lead him away to the Norland burg, for me there bride to be."
- They led out then that ancient bride, with a wedding company;
- Gold was not spared on her bridal gown, I tell you truthfully.page 41
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- So took they then the lovely bride up to the bride seat fine,
- And forth there stepped the ugly dwarf, to pour for her the wine.
- Fifteen fat oxen ate she up, and thirty swine thereto;
- She made a good meal or ever she drank, in sooth I say to you.
- Twelve lasts of beer then drank she out, ere she her thirst could still;
- She drank it from a two-handled pail, and then she had her fill.
- Along the hall went the ugly dwarf, and both his hands wrung he:
- "Whence cometh this so youthful bride, who eats so famously?"
- Then spoke the dwarf to his cellar-man—"Look to thy spigots well,
- For we entertain a wondrous bride, who for drinking bears the bell."
- There spake the little Lokke so sly, and in his sleeve laughed he :
- "For eight days past she has eaten nought, and all for love of thee."
- Then spake the little ugly dwarf, and this word then spake he:
- "Call now the table servants in, and that right speedily;page 42
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- "And bring to me the hammer of gold, I'll give it cheer-fully
- To rid me of this bride, who'll bring shame and disgrace on me."
- It was eight stalwart champions the hammer brought in on a tree,
- And they laid it down with mickle care across the fair bride's knee.
- And that was then the youthful bride who took the hammer in hand;
- This will I say to you in truth, she wielded it like a wand.
- First struck she down the ugly dwarf—hateful was he to see—
- Then felled she next the younger dwarfs, and all that company.
- Fear took the guests, and every cheek among them turned pale;
- For strokes and wounds they all received, and loud arose their wail.
- That was Lokke the serving man, and soft to himself said he:
- "I think we'll go now with the widowed old man, home to our own countrie."
