To King Harald

  • Poem/ By Viktor Fray

(This is an original poem about King Harald Hardrada by Vikrant “Viktor Fray” Thapa Gautam, who, since Fall 2015, has been angry with King Harald for not invading Sweden when he had the chance. It is in the style of the Viking court poetry found in King Harald’s Saga.)

In a little hut outside the castle walls

A young man looked on with hope

As you, our king, rode on your horse;

In Alexander’s likeness he admired you.

You showed great promise during your early years-

Harald the mercenary was feared far and wide.

The legendary journey you went on throughout the world

Gave us great hope. But, dear king, you made a mistake.
Instead of fighting the Danes

You should have fought the Swedes.

Your ego won over reason

And in the end you lost all.
Perhaps if you helped Jaroslav

Across the Baltic Sea,

You would have the support of the Keivan Rus

And you could both expand your lands.
Again without settling your current debts,

You sailed to England.

You should have sailed back-

She had sent you omens throughout your voyage there.

You showed great promise during your early years-

Perhaps if you had a mentor like Aristotle

You would be as great as Alexander;

But that’s just wishful thinking.
 

(Published on May 26, 2017. Originally published in Noctua : Medieval and Renaissance Studies at The W, Volume 1 Spring, 2016)

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