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Viking Tales of the North

Fridthjof's Saga

Canto XV.

Page 1

The Viking-Code.

I.

Far and wide, like the falcon that hunts through
        the sky, flew he now o’er the desolate sea;
And his vikinga-code, for his champions on board, wrote
        he will; — wilt thou hear what it be?

II.

“On thy ship pitch not tent; in no house shalt thou sleep;
        in the hall who our friends ever knew?
On his shield sleeps the viking, his sword in his hand,
        and for tent has you heaven the blue.

III.

“With a short-shafted hammer fights conquering Thor,
        Frey’s own sword but an ell long is made, —
That’s enough, Hast thou courage, strike close to thy
        foe: not too short for thee then is thy blade.

IV.

“When the storm roars on high, up aloft with the sail;
        ah! how pleasant’s the sea in its wrath!
Let it blow, let it blow! He’s a coward that furls;
        rather founder than furl in thy path.

V.

“On the shore, not on board, mayst thou toy with a maid;
        Freyja’s self would prove false to thy love;
For the dimple deceives on her cheek, and her tresses
        would net-like entrap thee above.

VI.

“Wine is Valfather’s drink; a carouse thou mayst have,
        but yet steady and upright appear;
He who staggers on shore may stand up, but will soon
        down to sleep-giving Ran stagger here.

VII.

“Sails the merchant-ship forth, thou his bark mayst
        protect, if due tribute his weak hand has told;
On thy wave art thou king; he’s a slave to his pelf,
        and thy steel is as good as his gold!

VIII.

“With the dice and the lot shall the booty be shar’d,
        and complain not however it goes;
But the sea-king himself throws no dice on the deck,
        only glory he seeks from his foes.

IX.

“Heaves a viking in sight, then come boarding and
        strife, and hot work is it under the shield;
But from us art thou banish’d, forget not the doom
        if a step or a foot thou shalt yield!

X.

“‘Tis enough shouldst thou conquer! Who prays thee for
        peace has no sword and cannot be thy foe:
Pray’r is Valhal’s own child — hear the pale virgin’s voice;
        yes! a scoundrel is he who says no!

XI.

“Viking-gains are deep wounds, and right well they
        adorn if they stand on the brow or the breast.
Let them bleed, twice twelve hours first must circle
        ere bind them who vikinga-comrade would rest!”

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