In olden days in Ireland a king to greatness came

In olden days in Ireland a king to greatness came Who bore the name of Sigeband; Ger was his father’s name. Queen U-te was his mother; she of a king was daughter; High was her worth and goodness, and well her love beseemed the lord who sought her.

The sway of Ger was mighty, as unto all is known; He many lands and castles and lordships seven did own: Four thousand knights or over he thence was often leading, And wealth, and name yet greater, he daily won, with those who did his bidding.

Now the youthful Sigeband to his father’s court must go, That he might there be learning all he had need to know,— To bear the spear in riding, to thrust it, and to shield him, That when he met the foeman, the better fame thereby the fight would yield him.

That age he now was reaching when he the sword might bear; Of all that a knight befitteth he learned a goodly share. This from kin and vassals praise unmeasured brought him; For this he still was striving, and of the toil it cost he ne’er bethought him.

A few short days thereafter death came among them all, As even to men the greatest sadly doth befall. In every land and kingdom the truth of this we’re meeting, And we, with heavy sorrow, such news ourselves must every day be waiting.

Sigeband’s mother, U-te, the widow’s seat must take; Her son, so high and worthy, left all things for her sake. No whit he cared for wedlock, and had no heart for wooing; Many a queenly lady at this was sad, young Sigeband’s sorrow ruing.

A worthy wife to find him his mother him besought; So might he and his kingdom to greater name be brought; And he with all his kindred, after their bitter sorrow For the death of the king, his father, might for themselves no little gladness borrow.