THE LUCK OF EDENHALL. FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. [The tradition, upon which this ballad is founded, and the "shards of the Luck of Edenhall," still exist in England. The goblet is in the possession of Sir Christopher Musgrave, Bart., cf Eden Hall, Cumberland; and is not so entirely shattered, as the ballad leaves it.] OF Edenhall, the youthful Lord Bids sound the festal trumpet's call ; And cries, 'mid the drunken revellers all, "Now bring me the Luck of Edenhall!" The butler hears the words with pain, Then said the Lord; "This glass to praise, The gray-beard with trembling hand obeys; It beams from the Luck of Edenhall. Then speaks the Lord, and waves it light, "'T was right a goblet the Fate should be Deep draughts drink we right willingly ; THE LUCK OF EDENHALL. First rings it deep, and full, and mild, Then mutters at last like the thunder's fall, "For its keeper takes a race of might, Kling! klang!--with a harder blow than all As the goblet ringing flies apart, In storms the foe, with fire and sword; On the morrow the butler gropes alone, "The stone wall," saith he, "doth fall aside, 99 THE ELECTED KNIGHT. FROM THE DANISH. [The following strange and somewhat mystical ballad is from Nyerup and Rahbek's Danske Viser of the Middle Ages. It seems to refer to the first preaching of Christianity in the North, and to the institution of Knight-Errantry. The three maidens I sup pose to be Faith, Hope, and Charity. The irregularities of the original have been carefully preserved in the translation.] SIR OLUF he rideth over the plain, Full seven miles broad and seven miles wide, But never, ah never can meet with the man A tilt with him dare ride. He saw under the hill-side A Knight full well equipped; His steed was black, his helm was barred; He wore upon his spurs Twelve little golden birds; Anon he spurred his steed with a clang, He wore upon his mail Twelve little golden wheels, Anon in eddies the wild wind blew, And round and round the wheels they flew He wore before his breast A lance that was poised in rest; And it was sharper than diamond-stone, He wore upon his helm, A wreath of ruddy gold; And that gave him the Maidens Three, The youngest was fair to behold. THE ELECTED KNIGHT. Sir Oluf questioned the Knight eftsoon If he were come from heaven down; "Art thou Christ of Heaven," quoth he, "So will I yield me unto thee." "I am not Christ the Great, Thou shalt not yield thee yet; I am an Unknown Knight, Three modest Maidens have me bedight.” • Art thou a Knight elected, And have three Maidens thee bedight; The first tilt they together rode, They put their steeds to the test; The third tilt they together rode, Now lie the lords upon the plain, 101 |