counsel now canst thou award me?
I've long wooed Valborg, damsel fine,
But, ah! she deigns not to regard me.

"I proffered hand, I proffered land,
For the proud maiden's acceptation;
But she loves Axel, and will stand
By him, that was her declaration."

"If Valborg has on him bestowed
Her troth, to keep it is her duty;
There's many a maid in Norway broad,
My son, of noble birth and beauty."

"Ah! yes, of maids there's many a one
Abounding both in wealth and graces;
But ah! so fair as Valborg none,
Or who such virtue bright possesses."

"Thou canst not gain the maid by force,
For that were crying shame and scandal;
Shouldst thou to weapons have recourse
His sword Sir Axel well can handle."

Then Hogen grew so wroth in mood,
And as in wrath he left his mother
Before him his confessor stood,
Was called Canute, the sable brother.

"Why goes my Lord with face of gloom,
And whither, whither is he roving?
If any ill is o'er him come
O let him tell his servant loving."

"Misfortune's come too hard to bear,
Beneath its heavy weight I cower;
Betrothed has Axel Valborg fair,
To gain her is beyond my power."

"Though Axel to the maid aspires
There's matter shall prevent their mating;
Within the house of sable friars
Are papers to their birth relating.

"They're children of relations near,
Of knightly race renowned and stately;
Unto the fountain them did bear
One Dame, she died at Hoiborg lately.

"Relations by the fount to be
They by our cloister's law are rated;
Besides we see in third degree
The knight and damsel are related.

"My Lord must to the Chapter write
To meet upon this grave occasion;
The Damsel shall not wed the knight,
For I'll prevent the abomination."

It was Hogen, son of the King,
His little servant lad directed:
"To me the maiden's uncles bring,
And be my bidding straight effected."

The counts before the wide, wide board
Are standing with respectful bearing:
"Thou'st summoned us, our gracious Lord,
Of your high will we crave the hearing."

"I ask of ye your niece so dear
That she may share my pomp and power;
To rank of Queen I her will rear
If on your prince ye will bestow her."

Then straight the uncles three replied,
With joyous eyes each other viewing:
"O she was born in lucky tide,
A noble prince for her is suing."

Then quickly donned their best array,
Her uncles three,