
audiobook
Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
QUEEN BERNGERD THE BARD AND THE DREAMS and OTHER BALLADS
QUEEN BERNGERD
DAME MARTHA’S FOUNTAIN
THE BARD AND THE DREAMS
KING OLUF THE SAINT
TO SCRIBBLERS
TO A CONCEITED WOMAN
Footnotes:
Step into a world where medieval court intrigue and timeless moral lessons mingle in lyrical verse. The collection gathers a handful of ballads that echo the cadence of ancient song‑books, each line steeped in the rhythm of old English rhyme and a touch of mythic grandeur. Listeners will hear the echo of a bygone age, where kings and queens speak in measured couplets that still feel oddly contemporary.
One of the centerpiece poems follows a determined queen whose petitions to her husband‑king set off a chain of negotiations over wealth, duty, and the plight of ordinary folk. As the monarch weighs the cost of granting her wishes against the burdens placed on peasants, the verses weave a vivid portrait of power, responsibility, and the uneasy balance between desire and duty. The language is both ornate and accessible, inviting you to linger over each refrain as the story unfolds.
The companion pieces, such as the tale of a compassionate lady who shelters the needy during war, broaden the tapestry with themes of charity, resilience, and the harsh realities of conflict. Together they form a modest yet richly textured anthology, perfect for anyone who enjoys poetic storytelling that invites reflection on humanity’s age‑old struggles.
Language
en
Duration
~15 minutes (15K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-12-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

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