Alison
I'm not being nasty or destructive, but if the so-called Anglo-Saxons
really talked liked that it's no wonder they disappeared from history.
I'm reminded of the cardboard characters of things like Star Trek
Enterprise: 'He is remembered/by wise men through the wider world' -
come off it, lass!
I say this in friendship
Best
Dave
2008/11/25 Alison Croggon <[log in to unmask]>:
> IV
>
> Their leader answered,
> that crew's captain loosened his wordhoard.
>
> "We are men of the Geat people,
> hearth companions to Hygelac.
> My father was well known among you,
> a leader in battle, named Ecgetheow,
> who saw many winters before he passed
> away in our courts. He is remembered
> by wise men through the wider world.
> We seek your lord, the Half-Dane's son,
> so guide us well: we have a great errand.
> I think that it should be no secret.
> You can tell us if it's true
> that some malice stalks the Scyldings,
> and deals them out sickening slaughter.
> From an open heart, I'll offer
> Hrothgar counsel, and show him how
> to worst his enemy, and find some ease
> to slacken these besetting sorrows
> and cool his cares. Or else he'll live
> in lamentation, so long as Heorot,
> best of houses, reaches skyward."
>
> The guard then spoke, fearless defender,
> easy on horseback: "Any sharp shieldman
> reasoning rightly knows the difference
> between words and deeds. I think you're loyal
> to the Scylding lord. You may go forward
> bearing weapons and armour.
> I shall guide you. And more, my kinsman
> will guard your ship, as it lies here
> newly tarred on the foamy sand,
> until it bears its loved lord back
> on swoop-necked wood to Wedermark,
> for a man like you will surely pass
> through battle's brutal rush unharmed."
>
> Then they pressed on, leaving behind
> their broad-beamed ship at rest on the sand.
> The boar-shapes on their cheekpieces shone,
> hammered with gold, hardened with fire,
> guarding their lives, lifting their war-hearts.
> They marched on fast, until they glimpsed
> the golden eaves of the timbered hall,
> the home of the king, first among earth-dwellers,
> whose radiance gleamed on many lands.
> The fierce sea-guard led them close
> and turned his horse to speak to them.
> "I leave you here. May the mighty father
> hold you with grace on all your sojourns!
> I must keep watch now against sea-raiders."
>
>
> --
> Editor, Masthead: http://www.masthead.net.au
> Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
> Home page: http://www.alisoncroggon.com
>
--
David Bircumshaw
Website and A Chide's Alphabet http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.bircumshaw/
The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html
Leicester Poetry Society: http://www.poetryleicester.co.uk
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