The mermaid's prophecy, and other songs relating to Queen Dagmar

"The Mermaid's Prophecy, and Other Songs Relating to Queen Dagmar" by George Borrow, is a set of early 1900s poems that tell stories about Queen Dagmar of Denmark using old stories passed down through the ages. The poems talk about love, giving up things for others, and magic, all set in the time of olden days of Kings and Queens. The poems tell of King Valdemar of Denmark trying to win the heart of the lovely Dagmar, and a scary story about a mermaid whose life is all mixed up with the royal family. One poem, "King Valdemar's Wooing," is about the King sending people to get Dagmar to be his wife, which leads to parties and fancy talks between kingdoms. Another poem, "The Mermaid's Prophecy," is about a mermaid who is forced to tell the future, showing how hard it is to do what you want and what you have to do. The poems show Queen Dagmar as a kind leader who tries to love her husband and take care of her people, even if it means she has to give up things for the good of everyone.