The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

CANTO 1.] HAROLD THE DAUNTLESS.

137

Like a shaveling who studies to cheat his vow?
Cans't thou be Witikind the Waster known,
Royal Eric's fearless son,
Haughty Gunhilda's haughtier lord,
Who won his bride by the axe and sword;
From the shrine of St. Peter the chalice who
tore,
And melted to bracelets for Freya and Thor;
With one blow of his gauntlet who burst the
skull,
Before Odin's stone, of the Mountain Bull?
Then ye worshipp'd with rites that to war-gods
belong,
With the deed of the brave, and the blow of the
strong;
And now, in thine age to dotage sunk,
Wilt thou patter thy crimes to a shaven monk,Lay down thy mail-shirt for clothing of hair,Fasting and scourge, like a slave, wilt thou bear?
Or, at best, be admitted in slothful bower
To batten with priest and with paramour?
Oh! out upon thine endless shame!
Each Scald's high harp shall blast thy fame,
And thy son will refuse thee a father's name!"
x.
Ireful wax'd old Witikind's look,
His faltering voice with fury shook;" Hear me, Harold of harden'd heart!
Stubborn and wilful ever thou wert.