The Traitor's Voice

Again and again have I sworn kings oaths of allegiance.

❦

I swore allegiance to King Hans.

I swore Christian II,
son of King Hans, called Christian Bondekär,
eternal allegiance.

I swore allegiance to King Gustav I.

I swore eternal allegiance to King Frederick I, Christian's uncle.

Through Sören Norrby,
I swore Christian II's eternal allegiance the second time.

I swore eternal allegiance to Christian III, son of Frederick I.

I swore allegiance to King Gustav I for the second time.

❦

Seven times have I broken my oath of faith and holiness.

I am a sevenfold perjurer and a traitor.

❦

But I continue to pledge eternal allegiance
to the kings of the north and the south.

I have learned the oaths of allegiance and honor.

Even as before, I swear the old words of allegiance.

Förrädarland

(Traitor Country)

Vilhelm Moberg    (1898 – 1973)

English translation:   machine

ISBN: 9100147265, 9789100147266