------
See the sea advances,
Seeking now a wreck,
Ere the eye can glance,
Clears the starboard deck.

Fridthjof’s sinewy arm adorning,
 Shone a massive golden ring,
Bright its rays of early morning,
 ’Twas the gift of Bele, king. 
This in many pieces broken,—­
 Made by dwarfs with skillful art,—­
Gives to all on board a token. 
 Every man receives a part.

 “Gold is good to carry
 When you go a-wooing,
 Empty-handed no one
 Comes to sea-blue Ran.

 Cold is she to kisses,
 Flee’th from embraces,
 But the sea-bride yieldeth
 Met with shining gold.”

 Now with threatenings new
  Falls the frozen storm,
 Rends his sail in two,
  Snaps the brittle arm.

O’er Ellide’s side prevailing
 Entering rolls the mountain wave,
Men of giant strength are bailing,
 ’Gainst, the sea make battle brave. 
Fridthjof cannot fail discerning
 That he carries death on board;
Then above the billows storming
 Rises his commanding word.

 “Bjorn, attend the rudder,
 Grip it with a bear’s paw;
 Valhal’s holy powers
 Never sent such storm.

 Goblins rule the voyage;
 Coward Helge chanted
 Safety o’er the waters;
 I will up and see.”

 Like a bird he flew
 Up the icy spar,
 Sat on high to view
 Fiendish goblins war.

See, before Ellide gliding,

 Like an island floating free,
Sea-whale on whose back are riding,
 Loathsome goblins of the sea. 
Heyd a snowy pelt, doth cover,
 Figure like a polar bear;
Ham hath wings which, waving hover
 Eagle-like in stormy air.

 “Now.  Ellide, ready! 
 Show if hero temper
 Dwells within your banded
 Convex breast of oak.

 Listen to my order;
 Are you Valhal’s daughter? 
 Strike with keel of copper,
 Gore the conjured whale!”

-----
Brave Ellide hears
Fridthjof’s proud behest. 
With a spring she rears
’Gainst the monster’s breast.

From the wound a stream is driving,
 To the skies ’tis quickly sped,
Now the wounded monster diving,
 Roaring seeks his miry bed. 
Fridthjof’s giant strength then casteth
 Lances at the goblins bold,
One in Ice-bear’s bosom fasteneth,
 One Storm-eagle’s breast doth hold.

 “Bravely done, Ellide! 
 Not so quickly riseth
 Helge’s magic dragon
 Up from out the mire.

 Ham and Heyd no longer
 Rule the sea together;
 Bitter is it biting
 ’Gainst the dark-blue steel.”

-----
Quickly disappears
Storm from sea and land,
Gentle wavelet steers
Toward the nearing strand.

All at once the sun advances,
 Like a king doth he unveil,
All enlivens, all entrances,
 Ship and billow, mount and dale. 
Last rays, gleaming now like amber,
 Tops of cliff and forest bound,
Now each sailor well remembers
 The emerald shores of Efje Sound.