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hopes of the happiest success: and yet a Russian maiden scorns me.
“I know how to perform eight
exercises[1]: I fight valiantly; I sit firmly
on horseback; I am inured to
swimming; I know how to run along in
scates; I dart the launce; and am
skilful at the oar: and yet a Russian maiden
scorns me.
“Can she deny, that young and lovely
maiden, that on the day, when posted
near a city in the southern land, I joined
battle, that then I valiantly handled my
arms, and left behind me lasting
monuments of my exploits? and yet a Russian
maiden scorns me.
“I was born in the high country of
Norway, where the inhabitants handle
their bows so well. But I preferred
guiding my ships, the dread of peasants,
among the rocks of the ocean: and far
from the habitations of men, I have run
through all the seas with my vessels:
and yet a Russian maiden scorns me.
- ↑ See the Five Pieces of Runic Poetry, p. 80.
