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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A FRAGMENT OF A DANISH SONG by ANONYMOUS

First Line: KING CHRISTIAN STOOD BESIDE THE MAST
Last Line: "WHEN JUEL COMES, WHAT STRENGTH SHALL TRY THE FRAY?'"
Subject(s): FIGHTS;WAR;

KING CHRISTIAN stood beside the mast,
In smoky night;
His falchion fell like hammer fast,
And brains and helms asunder brast;
Then sunk each hostile hull and mast
In smoky night;
Fly, fly! they shriek'd -- what mortal man
Can strive with Denmark's Christian
In fight?

Niels Juel raised a warrior cry,
"Now, now's the day!"
He hoisted up the red flag high,
And dash'd amidst the enemy
With blow on blow, and cry on cry,
"Now, now's the day!"
And still they shriek'd -- "Fly, Sweden, fly!
When Juel comes, what strength shall try
The fray?"
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