"Sivard is a purblind swain; Sees not to his faulchion's end: If Skimming were hurt thou couldst not pay me With the help of thy every friend. "The sword it whirls in Sivard's hand, As whirl the sails of the mill; If thou take Skimming 'gainst that wild fool, 'T is sorely against my will." Humble, he sat him on Skimming's back, So gallantly can he ride; But Skimming thought it passing strange That a spur was clapt to his side. The first course that together they rode, So strong were the knightly two, Asunder went Humble's saddle-ring, And a furlong his good shield flew. "Methinks thou art a fair young swain, And well thy horse canst ride; Dismount thee, straight, and gird up thy steed; I am willing for thee to bide." The second course that together they rode Was worthy of knights renown'd; Then both their saddles burst in two, And Humble was sent to the ground. "Now have I cast thee from thy steed, Thy courser by right is mine; But, tell me, youthful and gallant swain, Who art thou, and of what line? "Now have I won from thee the prize, And Skimming belongs to me; But, tell me, youthful and gallant swain, What parents gave birth to thee?" "Abelon is my father's name; He sits upon Birting's throne: Queen Ellina my mother is, And that for truth is known. "Queen Ellina my mother is-- A Queen whom all admire; Good King Abelon Haardestaal, So call they my hoary sire. "And who am I, but Humble, the young, A knight of Birting's land; Of hero race, whose fame extends To the wide earth's farthest strand." "If Abelon be thy father's name, The courser I straight restore; Thou art, I find, my very good friend; I knew thee not, youth, before. "If Queen Ellina thy mother is, Then Skimming thou hast rewon; Thou art, indeed, my very good friend; Thou art my sister's son. "Take both the shield ropes, take them straight, And bind me to yon oak tree; Then hie thee back to King Diderik, And say thou hast conquer'd me." In came Humble, the youthful knight, Was clad in a kirtle, green; "O! I have got my courser again, And have bound the warrior keen." In came Humble, with boot and spur, He cast on the table his sword: "Sivard stands in the green wood bound, He speaks not a single word. "O, I have been to the wild forest, And have seiz'd the warrior stark; Sivard there was taken by me, And tied to the oak's rough bark." "Now hear me, young Sir Humble, the knight, 'T is plain a jest is meant, Whenever Sivard was bound by thee, 'T was done with his own consent." It was Vidrik Verlandson, And he would fain know all. "O, I will ride to the wood, and see How Sivard endures his thrall." Vidrik spoke to his burly groom: "Go, saddle me Skimming gray, For I will ride to the wood, and hear What Sivard himself will say."