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