Frithiof in Exile
As "Ellida" passed the strand, Frithiof gazed from the deck with gloomy
brow upon the scene of conflagration, from which the thick smoke still
ascended, and anguish filled his breast.
"Woe, woe is me!" he cried to himself; "in accusation rises yonder smoke
to Odin's halls! Banished was I by Helge but for a brief space; now must
I forever leave my native land. Be thou, O sea, from hence my country.
On thy blue billows will I make my home. Framnas no longer is my
dwelling; thou, swift 'Ellida,' shalt be now my house. My bride, too,
art thou in thy black garb, since she in lily robes is lost to me
forever. Free dost thou roll, O mighty ocean! No tyrant's will can ever
do thee wrong; the only King thou callest master is he who looks upon
thee calmly when thy white breast heaves in wildest fury, and thunder
peals are swallowed in thy voice. No grave-mound e'er shall rise above
me; thy tossing waves shall cover deep my bones."
Here Bjorn approached and touched his shoulder, saying, "Look! yonder
King Helge makes his way amid the rocks. Methinks he hath yet a word to
speak with thee." Ten dragon ships were seen approaching. Frithiof
sprang to his feet and bade his men prepare for battle. Joyously they
shouted:
"King Helge wearies of the crown. His soul thirsts for Valhalla's
delights. Now shall he fall; bold Frithiof leads us unto victory."
On came the ships in a half-circle, surrounding "Ellida." Helge had
given orders to slay Frithiof and all his men, but to capture the ship
as their prize. Suddenly a strange sight met the eyes of Frithiof and
his warriors and filled them with amazement: nine of the ships sank
slowly down beneath the waves, while Helge himself escaped with
difficulty to the shore. Bjorn laughed.
"'Twas I that scuttled the ships last night, unseen. A good trick it
was, and all befell as I had hoped, save that King Helge has escaped!"
Now all the sails were spread and the ship sped swiftly out to sea.
Backward gazing, Frithiof watched the fast receding shore and chanted a
song that moved all hearts to sadness:
Farewell! mounds dreaming
By wavelets blue,
Where west winds streaming
White blossoms strew!
Odin revealeth
And doometh well
What man concealeth;--
Farewell! Farewell!
Farewell, ye bowers,
Ye limpid streams,
Where 'mid spring flowers,
Youth wandered in dreams.
Ye friends of childhood
Who loved me well,--
Till death remembered,--
Farewell! Farewell!
My love insulted,
My dwelling brent,
My honor tarnished,
In exile sent,--
Heart bideth in sadness
Norns' fatal spell.
To Life's young gladness
Farewell! Farewell!