V.

King Ring.


King Ring moved his gold-stool back. Then uprose
Champion and dreamer;--
For where in the North does such goodness repose?
His word o'erflows
With the wisdom which dwells in god Mimer.

Like the groves of the peaceful gods was his land,--
War's sable pinion
Cast not a shadow where on every hand
Flowers expand
Through the length of his quiet dominion.

Here Justice alone on the judgment-seat
With Right presided;
And Peace every year paid its tribute meet,--
While golden wheat
With plenty the harvest provided.

And swarthy-prowed ships to this favored shore,
With snowy pinions
The products of numberless nations bore,--
A varied store