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A.D. 1037

What can these new gods give me?
I have Odin and Thor,
Odin the wise all father;
Great Thor, the mighty in war,
There are gods enough in Valhalla,
And to me they ever gave ear,
Speak no more of your white Christ,
We want no strange gods here.
This new god, he cannot give me
Once more the arm of the strong,
Strong arm that has failed me never,
Though the fight were stubborn and long.
Can he give me again the glory of youth?
Go down with me to the sea,
And harry the shore of Britain;
Ah! never more shall I see
The white sails spreading their wings,
Each spring, as we left our home,
And day by day drew southward,
I can almost feel the foam.

* * * * *

But now all is past and over,
I know that naught can avail
The gods in Valhalla have spoken.
I go; and your white Christ pale
He cannot bring back for one instant
The glorious days that are past.
Then why should I turn from Odin and Thor,
And be false as a woman at last?