CHORUS.
We felt the presence of one and all;
The old flags wav'd in the arsenal,
A wondrous spirit went round, went round
The Northern ground.
ONE VOICE.
Then waken'd Thor, {f:28}
And drew around his loins the mighty belt
Of bear-sinews;
With love fraternal harden'd he his shield,
With eager haste he sharp'd his blunted glaive,
And, with the iron of his hammer, touch'd
Each Dane's and every Norman's breast--
Shot his heroic flame therein, and smil'd!
MANY VOICES.
And Denmark and Norway smil'd.
LOUD CHORUS.
Upon the water,
Upon the land,
We boun'd for slaughter,
At Thor's command.
MAIDENS.
Then fell our tears so quickly,
We breath'd, we breath'd so thickly,
While scarce our lips could stammer forth
Prayers for you, and for the North.
MATRONS.
And we, and we, with breasts that smarted,
Knelt, lowly knelt, whilst firm ye stood,
From us and from affection parted,
In reek and smoke, in brothers' blood!
CHORUS OF MEN.
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