English poem
The ice was loose and broken, floating everywhere
by Mary Pickering Nichols (1829–1915)
The ice was loose and broken, floating everywhere Upon the sea before them. The maids were filled with care; Pale were now their bodies, e’en as the snow around them, By their scanty clothes scarce hidden. Sad was the lot in which the knights had found them.
More by Mary Pickering Nichols
- The cross and wicked Gerlind for her hard tasks did set
- The fair and noble Hilda soon heard the wondrous tale
- The fair and queenly Hilda, with all her will and mind
- The guests by the king were bidden freely in tilts to meet
- The kinsmen of King Hettel upon the sands had left
- The lord who came from Ortland, Ortwin, brave and young
- The night was drawing nearer, and the light began to wane
- The poor Gu-drun was blithesome, as we have said before