Hafbur and Signe: a ballad

"Hafbur and Signe: a ballad" by George Borrow and Thomas James Wise is a narrative poem written for private circulation in the early 20th century. This work tells the tragic story of love and betrayal set against a mythic backdrop, exploring themes of fate, honor, and sacrifice. The ballad style evokes a sense of folklore, drawing on traditions of storytelling that fuse romantic elements with the gravity of unforeseen consequences. The poem centers around young Hafbur, a prince entangled in a feud between two kings, largely ignited by the beauty of Signe, daughter of King Siward. Hafbur, driven by a prophetic dream, disguises himself as a maiden to learn the skills of a lady and win Signe's heart. However, their love is doomed from the start due to treachery from a jealous servant maid, who betrays Hafbur. As the tale unfolds, the lovers are faced with insurmountable odds, ultimately leading to tragedy as they choose to fight for their love at all costs. In a heart-wrenching conclusion, their lives intertwine in death, illustrating the profound and often tragic nature of love. (This is an automatically generated summary.)