Nor many a field well-fencèd nor wayside cross he found; Nor chariot-wheel nor horse-hoof had furrowed with tracks the ground; Untrodden the woodland pathway, nor wide was I ween the way, 15 And he knew not the hills and the valleys--Full oft shall ye hear men say, 'Who rideth astray, in his wandering the lost axe may often find.' They lay here unnumbered round him, if for _axe_ ye have _trees_ in mind. Yet tho' far was the road he journeyed yet he went in no wise astray, And thus from the land of Graharz he rode through the livelong day, 20 Till he came to the kingdom of Brobarz thro' mountains wild and high-- When the shadows of evening lengthened, and red flushed the western sky, Then he came to a mountain torrent, and the voice of the raging flood Rang clear as its waves rushed foaming round the crags that amid them stood. So he rode adown by the waters till he came to the city fair 25 Which a king had bequeathed to his daughter; 'twas the city of Pelrapär, And I wot that tho' fair the maiden who bare of that land the crown, Great grief and small gladness had they who dwelt in that noble town! Like an arrow that swiftly speedeth from the bow by a strong arm bent, The waters onward rushing on their downward pathway went; 30 And a bridge hung high above them with woven work so fair, And the stream it flowed swift to the ocean--Well-guarded was Pelrapär, As children in swings delight them, and swing themselves to and fro, So swung the bridge, yet ropeless, youthful gladness it scarce might know!