The Children's Own Longfellow Part 7

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BUILDING OF THE LONG SERPENT "Men shall hear of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!" ]

THE BUILDING OF THE LONG SERPENT

Thorberg Skafting, master-builder, In his s.h.i.+p-yard by the sea, Whistling, said, "It would bewilder Any man but Thorberg Skafting, Any man but me!"

Near him lay the Dragon stranded, Built of old by Raud the Strong, And King Olaf had commanded He should build another Dragon, Twice as large and long.

Therefore whistled Thorberg Skafting, As he sat with half-closed eyes, And his head turned sideways, drafting That new vessel for King Olaf Twice the Dragon's size.

 

Round him busily hewed and hammered Mallet huge and heavy axe; Workmen laughed and sang and clamored; Whirred the wheels, that into rigging Spun the s.h.i.+ning flax!

All this tumult heard the master,-- It was music to his ear; Fancy whispered all the faster, "Men shall hear of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!"

Workmen sweating at the forges Fas.h.i.+oned iron bolt and bar, Like a warlock's midnight orgies Smoked and bubbled the black caldron With the boiling tar.

Did the warlocks mingle in it, Thorberg Skafting, any curse?

Could you not be gone a minute But some mischief must be doing, Turning bad to worse?

'T was an ill wind that came wafting From his homestead words of woe; To his farm went Thorberg Skafting, Oft repeating to his workmen, Build ye thus and so.

After long delays returning Came the master back by night; To his s.h.i.+p-yard longing, yearning, Hurried he, and did not leave it Till the morning's light.

"Come and see my s.h.i.+p, my darling!"

On the morrow said the King; "Finished now from keel to carling; Never yet was seen in Norway Such a wondrous thing!"

In the s.h.i.+p-yard, idly talking, At the s.h.i.+p the workmen stared: Some one, all their labor balking, Down her sides had cut deep gashes, Not a plank was spared!

"Death be to the evil-doer!"

With an oath King Olaf spoke!

"But rewards to his pursuer!"

And with wrath his face grew redder Than his scarlet cloak.

Straight the master-builder, smiling, Answered thus the angry King: "Cease blaspheming and reviling, Olaf, it was Thorberg Skafting Who has done this thing!"

Then he chipped and smoothed the planking, Till the King, delighted, swore, With much lauding and much thanking, "Handsomer is now my Dragon Than she was before!"

Seventy ells and four extended On the gra.s.s the vessel's keel; High above it, gilt and splendid, Rose the figure-head ferocious With its crest of steel.

Then they launched her from the tressels, In the s.h.i.+p-yard by the sea; She was the grandest of all vessels, Never s.h.i.+p was built in Norway Half so fine as she!

The Long Serpent was she christened, 'Mid the roar of cheer on cheer!

They who to the Saga listened Heard the name of Thorberg Skafting For a hundred year!