The dungeon-keeper, bringing The daily drink and bread, The iron doors found open! The prisoners had fled! In doubt and wonder gazing, He paled with sudden fear: “Alack! the King will hear it! Alack! the King will hear!” Down fell the bread and water— With flaming torch he sought A narrow length of passage Deep through the rough rock wrought; And there for miles he wandered, Lit by the torch’s ray, Nor guessed how lately other feet Had traveled the same way. At last he reached a country Beside the western sea— A fair and goodly country. There now in peace dwelt he. III. The years have passed, and Gerda, Now grown a maiden tall, Looks from the latticed casement High up the palace wall; But not for flash and flutter Of snowy wings looks she— Thro’ rain or sun No longer come The white doves merrily; For peace and they have flown afar, And all the land is red with war. Great Ivar, dreaded Ivar, Who rules the northern coast, Across his rocky borders Has led a conquering host; And smiling field and hamlet Despoiling as they came, Five months before the city walls The savage hordes have lain. The glimmer of their camp-fires The Princess Gerda sees, Their tents, their hostile ensigns A-floating in the breeze. She looks forth from her window With eyes grown used to tears; And as she looks she listens— What sound is that she hears? A crash, a shriek, a shouting— A battlement gives way; Swift thro’ the breach come rushing The foe in dire array, And sudden as a thunder-storm Sweeps o’er the smiling day, The air is dark and clamorous And wild with deadly fray. But calm and clear Does Gerda hear His orders ring, As the brave King, Unfaltering, Keeps the fierce foe at bay. But see! he falls! “The King is down!” Who’ll guard the walls? Who’ll save the town? “The King is slain! we fight in vain! Alack, alack, the King is slain!” The panic-stricken soldiers, Pale-faced, from street to street Flee wildly, as the enemy Pursue their flying feet: “The King is slain, the town is lost! Who can withstand great Ivar’s host!” But look! what stranger legions Against the hostile tide Leap forth in shining armor And bold advancing ride, Ride on and ever onward, Beat back the hostile tide?