350
[1] So Sw.; 'weary in mind,' Gn., Kr., C.
[2] 'Hostile,' C., though 'flashing,' 194, and 'gleaming,'
302.
[3] Lit., 'cough.'
[4] So Gn. and Kr.; 'with violence,' Sw.; 'with afflictions,'
C.
[5] So Sw. and Kr.; 'Of the hostile shield-warriors,' Gn. and
C.
[6] i.e., 'spirited.'
ATHELSTAN,
OR
THE FIGHT AT BRUNANBURH.
AEthelstan King, of earls the lord,
Of heroes ring-giver, and his brother too,
Edmund AEtheling, enduring fame
Earned in the fight with edges of swords
By Brunanburh. The board-wall they cleaved, 5
The war-shields hewed with leavings of hammers
The sons of Edward. 'Twas natural to them
By right of descent that in battle they oft
'Gainst every foe their land defended,
Their hoards and homes. The foes were fallen, 10
Folk of the Scots and men of the ships,
Fated they fell. The field ran thick[1]
With heroes' blood, when the risen sun
At morning-time, the mighty orb,
Shone o'er the earth, bright candle of God, 15
Eternal Lord, till the noble creature
Sank to his rest. There many men lay
Struck down[2] with spears, men from the North,
Shot o'er the shield, and Scotsmen too,
Weary [and] war-filled.
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