326
KNICKERBOCKER GALLERY.
But louder great Alvar
Sang forth in his glee:
"Grim spectres sweep o'er us
In lightning or gloom,
I see their eyes gleaming
Like fire round a tomb:
The Runes of the valiant
Dead heroes obey,
Let 's pitch into Naples
And plunder and prey!"
So they gave him three cheers,
and then emptied a barrel.
Sang forth in his glee:
"Grim spectres sweep o'er us
In lightning or gloom,
I see their eyes gleaming
Like fire round a tomb:
The Runes of the valiant
Dead heroes obey,
Let 's pitch into Naples
And plunder and prey!"
So they gave him three cheers,
and then emptied a barrel.
"Set fire to the churches!
Set fire to the town!
Grab, murder, and plunder,
Drag out and knock down!
Go it strong, ye brave Northmen,
Crush, tumble, and slash!"
Roared the Jarl, as with each hand
He held a mustache,
And glared on the town.
Like a wild devil grim:
An Aesir in fury,
A Jotun in limb.
Now the blue shields are crimson,
The spires are in flame,
But on pitch the Ravens,
All grit and all game:
Only stopping to bolt
down the wine on the altar.
Set fire to the town!
Grab, murder, and plunder,
Drag out and knock down!
Go it strong, ye brave Northmen,
Crush, tumble, and slash!"
Roared the Jarl, as with each hand
He held a mustache,
And glared on the town.
Like a wild devil grim:
An Aesir in fury,
A Jotun in limb.
Now the blue shields are crimson,
The spires are in flame,
But on pitch the Ravens,
All grit and all game:
Only stopping to bolt
down the wine on the altar.
Like fiends winged for murder
The arrows flew forth,
While red swords were ringing
The knell from the North,
And maces, deep mashing,
Laid saints in the mud;
While the black crow and eagle
Went wading in blood.
The arrows flew forth,
While red swords were ringing
The knell from the North,
And maces, deep mashing,
Laid saints in the mud;
While the black crow and eagle
Went wading in blood.
