'Twas a fearful night -- the tempest raved <br />With loud and wrathful pride, <br />The storm-king harnessed his lightning steeds, <br />And rode on the raging tide. <br /> <br />The sea-king lay on his bed of death, <br />Pale mourners around him bent; <br />They knew the wild and fitful life <br />Of their chief was almost spent. <br /> <br />His ear was growing dull in death <br />When the angry storm he heard, <br />The sluggish blood in the old man's veins <br />With sudden vigor stirred. <br /> <br />"I hear them call," cried the dying man, <br />His eyes grew full of light; <br />"Now bring me here my warrior robes, <br />My sword and armor bright. <br /> <br />"In the tempest's lull I heard a voice, <br />I knew 'twas Odin's call. <br />The Valkyrs are gathering round my bed <br />To lead me unto his hall. <br /> <br />"Bear me unto my noblest ship, <br />Light up a funeral pyre; <br />I'll walk to the palace of the braves <br />Through a path of flame and fire." <br /> <br />Oh! wild and bright was the stormy light <br />That flashed from the old man's eye, <br />As they bore him from the couch of death <br />To his battle-ship to die, <br /> <br />And lit with many a mournful torch <br />The sea-king's dying bed, <br />And like a banner fair and bright <br />The flames around him spread. <br /> <br />But they heard no cry of anguish <br />Break through that fiery wall, <br />With rigid brow and silent lips <br />He was seeking Odin's hall. <br /> <br />Through a path of fearful splendor, <br />While strong men held their breath, <br />The brave old man went boldly forth <br />And calmly talked with death.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/death-of-the-old-sea-king/
