 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
55
BOOK II
56
ARGUMENT
Belinus succeeds unto the kingdom of his uncle Correus, in Sénones' Gaul.
Brennus journeys, with his oath-fast brother, Heremod, to forest Almaigne. An inroad of Finns. Brennus, sojourning, that winter, there; weds Fridia, sister to ethling Heremod, virgin prophetess.
Come spring season, the great mingled armies of Brennus, and of Heremod, pass the high Alps.
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But heard that new supply of warlike youth
Gathers, from parts of Gaul, to fords of Rhone,
Belin returns with ethling Heremod.
Gathers, from parts of Gaul, to fords of Rhone,
Belin returns with ethling Heremod.
And being to Lugdunum now arrived,
Belin finds messengers, wearing mourning gowns,
From Sens, (which also Agendicum is named,)
Which him await. They tell, rejoiced King Correus,
What time he heard his nephews' great conquest;
And made, three days, with all his lords, high feast.
But twixt that joy, and sorrow for the death
Of his loved sister, Corwen, Lady of Britain,
A fever took him. And not many days,
Tarried had Sénones king. The dying sire
Bequeathed the kingdom, to his nephew Belin.
Of all then Belges' tribes, the chief estates;
Being come, at Rhone, to Belinus; him, of grace,
They pray, return with them, to rule their nation.
Belin ten thousand then, this year's armed youth,
(Which here they find,) commits to Heremod,
His Almain brother, lead to Spain and Brennus;
That he, to further Gaul, himself mote ride;
So takes farewell. Sith Heremod, passed o'er Rhone,
Leading those young men's bands, in warlike arms.
They, after many marches; now arrived,
Being, to sea-borders and long cragged coast,
Some kins, there dwelling, of Ligurian nation,
Trouble his journeys. When, to parley, invites
Them Heremod; those, through their interpreters,
Him ask, they might partake in Brennus' wars.
Belin finds messengers, wearing mourning gowns,
From Sens, (which also Agendicum is named,)
Which him await. They tell, rejoiced King Correus,
What time he heard his nephews' great conquest;
And made, three days, with all his lords, high feast.
But twixt that joy, and sorrow for the death
Of his loved sister, Corwen, Lady of Britain,
A fever took him. And not many days,
Tarried had Sénones king. The dying sire
Bequeathed the kingdom, to his nephew Belin.
Of all then Belges' tribes, the chief estates;
Being come, at Rhone, to Belinus; him, of grace,
They pray, return with them, to rule their nation.
Belin ten thousand then, this year's armed youth,
(Which here they find,) commits to Heremod,
His Almain brother, lead to Spain and Brennus;
That he, to further Gaul, himself mote ride;
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Leading those young men's bands, in warlike arms.
They, after many marches; now arrived,
Being, to sea-borders and long cragged coast,
Some kins, there dwelling, of Ligurian nation,
Trouble his journeys. When, to parley, invites
Them Heremod; those, through their interpreters,
Him ask, they might partake in Brennus' wars.
When three years, Brennus, Spain's wide conquered glebe,
Has ruled, long homeward many Gauls and Almains.
Then Heremod's heart is straitened in his breast,
Till he see Aella's garth, in forest Almaigne.
Will Brennus with his brother Heremod ride.
And cause is, Brennus, more than his own life,
Beholding, in oft telling of the duke,
Her blissful image, as in crystal glass,
Loves Heremod's sister, maiden prophetess.
Has ruled, long homeward many Gauls and Almains.
Then Heremod's heart is straitened in his breast,
Till he see Aella's garth, in forest Almaigne.
Will Brennus with his brother Heremod ride.
And cause is, Brennus, more than his own life,
Beholding, in oft telling of the duke,
Her blissful image, as in crystal glass,
Loves Heremod's sister, maiden prophetess.
They taking order, erst, for Spain subdued,
It part in three: and o'er each Riding set
A Briton, Gaul and Almain magistrate.
With these, the people chose three hundred men,
Elders, to sit in sacred oaken grove.
Stablished these things, part Heremod and king Brennus.
It part in three: and o'er each Riding set
A Briton, Gaul and Almain magistrate.
With these, the people chose three hundred men,
Elders, to sit in sacred oaken grove.
Stablished these things, part Heremod and king Brennus.
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To meet the dukes, come out of Aquitaine,
Much folk, with mead and slaughter-beasts and corn:
And chaplet-crowned, all dance, with merry note.
Sith, towards the seven-starred plough, Gauls, Almains, march,
Yet many days; till them again receive,
With public joy, Gauls Sénones; o'er whom rules
Now, after Correus, Briton Belinus.
Belin, with Gaul's great lords, from Sens, outrides,
His brother to embrace and Heremod.
Last at Sens' royal court, lo, all arrive.
Much folk, with mead and slaughter-beasts and corn:
And chaplet-crowned, all dance, with merry note.
Sith, towards the seven-starred plough, Gauls, Almains, march,
Yet many days; till them again receive,
With public joy, Gauls Sénones; o'er whom rules
Now, after Correus, Briton Belinus.
Belin, with Gaul's great lords, from Sens, outrides,
His brother to embrace and Heremod.
Last at Sens' royal court, lo, all arrive.
They, with King Belinus, then a month, in feast,
Dwell. Drawing now those days, in Gaul, to end;
Clad in white lawn, comes to Dunwallon's sons,
From Island Britain, solemn embassage:
And they declare, being in their sacred month,
The tribes assembled to moot-hill, in Kent;
The Kings that former ban, with public shout,
Repealed: So only shall Dunwallon's sons,
Not turn, victorious princes, home, in arms.
Dwell. Drawing now those days, in Gaul, to end;
Clad in white lawn, comes to Dunwallon's sons,
From Island Britain, solemn embassage:
And they declare, being in their sacred month,
The tribes assembled to moot-hill, in Kent;
The Kings that former ban, with public shout,
Repealed: So only shall Dunwallon's sons,
Not turn, victorious princes, home, in arms.
On swift steeds, part then Heremod forth and Brennus.
They come, in few armed journeys, down to Rhine,
Behold that mighty river flagged with frost.
Sore now the cold; and o'er his marble streams,
As on a bridge, those Almains, dryfoot, pass;
To where, like silver fretwork, shines much forest.
But dwellers, which beyond Rhine's bordering flood;
When they see Briton Gauls with Brennus, pass;
Blowing their horns, together leap to arms;
Till ethling Heremod, in their speech, them hails.
Then shout hoarse throats, Well-comen home from wars!
Victorious high-born dukes: they, to their garths,
Them lead and slaughter sheep and larded swine.
And Woden! all they chant, and pour out fats
Of mighty ale: and welcome! still they shout.
Then messengers running forth, through fen and wood,
In all that mark, cry, Heremod is come home!
They come, in few armed journeys, down to Rhine,
Behold that mighty river flagged with frost.
Sore now the cold; and o'er his marble streams,
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To where, like silver fretwork, shines much forest.
But dwellers, which beyond Rhine's bordering flood;
When they see Briton Gauls with Brennus, pass;
Blowing their horns, together leap to arms;
Till ethling Heremod, in their speech, them hails.
Then shout hoarse throats, Well-comen home from wars!
Victorious high-born dukes: they, to their garths,
Them lead and slaughter sheep and larded swine.
And Woden! all they chant, and pour out fats
Of mighty ale: and welcome! still they shout.
Then messengers running forth, through fen and wood,
In all that mark, cry, Heremod is come home!
Now to the river Lippé the dukes ride;
Beyond which lies the mark of royal Aella.
He by forerunners, heard his son's approach,
Uprose; and fares, with train of freeborn men,
To meet the ethling, glorious Heremod.
Heremod, now passed that river, paved with ice,
Spread forth his pious hands, gives his gods thanks!
Beyond which lies the mark of royal Aella.
He by forerunners, heard his son's approach,
Uprose; and fares, with train of freeborn men,
To meet the ethling, glorious Heremod.
Heremod, now passed that river, paved with ice,
Spread forth his pious hands, gives his gods thanks!
Soon voice of his own people, through thick woods,
He hears; with yonder many an answering shout,
Of them that come, with rushing teams and sleds.
And those now halt, some little from that place.
Where they will Heremod wait, at a path's head.
See, like to guileful hunter, the ethling creeps,
From stem to stem! the hero nighs, unseen,
Where had he marked to sit his father Aella,
Beside a great, new-kindled fire of pine;
Among his elders, witan and armed men.
He, eftsoons, stands, before his hoar-head sire:
And Heremod kisseth him, upon both his cheeks!
He hears; with yonder many an answering shout,
Of them that come, with rushing teams and sleds.
And those now halt, some little from that place.
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See, like to guileful hunter, the ethling creeps,
From stem to stem! the hero nighs, unseen,
Where had he marked to sit his father Aella,
Beside a great, new-kindled fire of pine;
Among his elders, witan and armed men.
He, eftsoons, stands, before his hoar-head sire:
And Heremod kisseth him, upon both his cheeks!
Would Aella rise, but fail his aged knees,
His son embrace; seeing, by help of Woden,
The duke, from so great foreign wars, come home.
Beholds then Brennus, comely as a god,
The Gaulish prince, that fought with Heremod:
And welcomes him the sire, with rugged hand.
His son embrace; seeing, by help of Woden,
The duke, from so great foreign wars, come home.
Beholds then Brennus, comely as a god,
The Gaulish prince, that fought with Heremod:
And welcomes him the sire, with rugged hand.
Now early at afternoon, they sit at meat.
Almains and Britons, under snowy woods.
But sith uprisen, the ethling Heremod,
Impatient, all this shining night, will ride,
To embrace his mother dear and sister Fridia.
Lo, Brennus follows with him; and light sleds,
They mount, which draw forth little-statured steeds.
Their path now sounding Lippé's stony ice,
Where howling wolves they hear, the steeds of Woden,
Omen of battles, in dark forest side.
Almains and Britons, under snowy woods.
But sith uprisen, the ethling Heremod,
Impatient, all this shining night, will ride,
To embrace his mother dear and sister Fridia.
Lo, Brennus follows with him; and light sleds,
They mount, which draw forth little-statured steeds.
Their path now sounding Lippé's stony ice,
Where howling wolves they hear, the steeds of Woden,
Omen of battles, in dark forest side.
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And now springs the late dawn; sun's glistering beams
Clipping the hoary boughs, like golden hairs.
Then wont, in each third year, of Almains, was
Burned their old garths, forsake the village steads;
And timber other new, in forest mark.
Wherefore now Heremod, from the river's brink,
As he, enquired had, beforehand, his steeds
Guides, where they wainpath find. Before them then,
Clear large-hewn bay, midst forest pines, is seen;
Wherein, compiled of beams, stands foursquare garth,
Deckt with much snow, whence silent, a blue reek,
Gainst winter hills, ascends, of early hearths.
The royal hall stands yonder, in wide court,
And Aella's bowers; known by this boar's head token,
Lo, on the gate-posts, graven, of the earth goddess.
Clipping the hoary boughs, like golden hairs.
Then wont, in each third year, of Almains, was
Burned their old garths, forsake the village steads;
And timber other new, in forest mark.
Wherefore now Heremod, from the river's brink,
As he, enquired had, beforehand, his steeds
Guides, where they wainpath find. Before them then,
Clear large-hewn bay, midst forest pines, is seen;
Wherein, compiled of beams, stands foursquare garth,
Deckt with much snow, whence silent, a blue reek,
Gainst winter hills, ascends, of early hearths.
The royal hall stands yonder, in wide court,
And Aella's bowers; known by this boar's head token,
Lo, on the gate-posts, graven, of the earth goddess.
Upholding warlike Heremod there, his steeds,
Gazing, long blissful moment, feeds his spirit,
With this glad sight, and shows his brother Brennus.
And, in that, opened is the gable porch.
And like to day-star, Fridia looks, the bright,
Clad in white stole forth, sacred prophetess.
She seems some blissful vision, with white hand,
Shadowing her eyelids, gainst sun's garish beams;
Expecting see her brother now approach.
She Heremod sees; and heard her blissful crying,
Issues her mother royal Hildegond!
Gazing, long blissful moment, feeds his spirit,
With this glad sight, and shows his brother Brennus.
And, in that, opened is the gable porch.
And like to day-star, Fridia looks, the bright,
Clad in white stole forth, sacred prophetess.
She seems some blissful vision, with white hand,
Shadowing her eyelids, gainst sun's garish beams;
Expecting see her brother now approach.
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Issues her mother royal Hildegond!
Down leaps the hero, arrived, in sounding harness:
And soon his mother's arms, duke Heremod strain,
In long embrace, to love-long-hungered breast!
And oft he kisseth her venerable face;
And melts his mighty heart: and Fridia, sith,
His sister dear, that maiden bright, he kissed.
And soon his mother's arms, duke Heremod strain,
In long embrace, to love-long-hungered breast!
And oft he kisseth her venerable face;
And melts his mighty heart: and Fridia, sith,
His sister dear, that maiden bright, he kissed.
Then all bring in, with worship, noble Brennus,
Through the fore-room, into King Aella's hall,
That smells of sweet-strewn sprays of fir-tree green,
And pants the royal Briton's heart, for her,
Whom he esteems far to excel in feature,
All womankind. And when they sit, and drink
Of that ale-horn, which, daughter of the house,
As custom is, bears Fridia to king's guests;
And when him Heremod, brother! names aloud.
And when now her chaste lips, their Almains' wont,
To press, he feels, to open, on his front,
Her white hand then the hero, trembling, kissed.
Through the fore-room, into King Aella's hall,
That smells of sweet-strewn sprays of fir-tree green,
And pants the royal Briton's heart, for her,
Whom he esteems far to excel in feature,
All womankind. And when they sit, and drink
Of that ale-horn, which, daughter of the house,
As custom is, bears Fridia to king's guests;
And when him Heremod, brother! names aloud.
And when now her chaste lips, their Almains' wont,
To press, he feels, to open, on his front,
Her white hand then the hero, trembling, kissed.
Fridia their coming, through divine insight,
Foreknew; and o'ernight all things ready made;
And chaldrons set on for them, at the hearth.
Wherefore the heroes, having soon then washt,
From dust and sweat of the long way, now sit
Down both, at board, in garments new and clean:
And bids her son and guest the Almain queen,
After long voyage, they comfort them with food.
Come children in then of that royal house;
(Were some unborn when fared forth Heremod!)
And joying, to the ethling's knees, they played.
Foreknew; and o'ernight all things ready made;
And chaldrons set on for them, at the hearth.
Wherefore the heroes, having soon then washt,
From dust and sweat of the long way, now sit
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And bids her son and guest the Almain queen,
After long voyage, they comfort them with food.
Come children in then of that royal house;
(Were some unborn when fared forth Heremod!)
And joying, to the ethling's knees, they played.
From her high settle, fretted all the boards,
With carvéd work, descended Hildegond:
She coffer opens of sweet-smelling pine,
O'erlaid with bronze, bordered with runes; wherein,
High antique gest of Woden, graved, is seen;
When of giant Suptung's daughter, (whom beguiled,
The one-eyed god,) he won that dearworth mead.
Thence she outtakes two precious broidered saies,
With royal ermine, dight and needle-work;
So puts on Heremod's neck and Briton Brennus.
And yet she a little grimly looked, on Brennus!
Was not this he, with whom her son did fight?
With carvéd work, descended Hildegond:
She coffer opens of sweet-smelling pine,
O'erlaid with bronze, bordered with runes; wherein,
High antique gest of Woden, graved, is seen;
When of giant Suptung's daughter, (whom beguiled,
The one-eyed god,) he won that dearworth mead.
Thence she outtakes two precious broidered saies,
With royal ermine, dight and needle-work;
So puts on Heremod's neck and Briton Brennus.
And yet she a little grimly looked, on Brennus!
Was not this he, with whom her son did fight?
When, after meat, they sit, and drink warm mead,
Duke Heremod tells of many adventures strange,
Which in Hesperian wars; and that revolt,
When bondsmen rose in days of the new wine,
How pants the mother's heart of Hildegond!
And golden-haired bright Fridia listens, pale.
He tells how, in some stronghold, with few spears,
Him slumbering, heaped Iberians round, unwares,
Much oil-tree wood, and halm of the new corn,
Which kindled, they were like, in their first sleep,
In bitter reek and crackling flames, to perish.
Then cry of Britons, noise of rushing chariots!
Thrust Brennus in, through withering flames and smoke,
(That treachery had revealed, Iberian wife,
Of one of his.) In valour all contending,
Britons brake soon that burning hold, wherein,
As blind, they grope, to save forth smothered Almains.
Him bare, scorched by wild flames, out noble Brennus,
To the air, in his tough arms. Sith saved his men,
The prince's hardy Britons. Heremod then,
Tells how in battle-night, under the Pyrene,
Went, like to reaper, through the foes, prince Brennus,
Leaving wide swathe of bloody carcases.
Duke Heremod tells of many adventures strange,
Which in Hesperian wars; and that revolt,
When bondsmen rose in days of the new wine,
How pants the mother's heart of Hildegond!
And golden-haired bright Fridia listens, pale.
He tells how, in some stronghold, with few spears,
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Much oil-tree wood, and halm of the new corn,
Which kindled, they were like, in their first sleep,
In bitter reek and crackling flames, to perish.
Then cry of Britons, noise of rushing chariots!
Thrust Brennus in, through withering flames and smoke,
(That treachery had revealed, Iberian wife,
Of one of his.) In valour all contending,
Britons brake soon that burning hold, wherein,
As blind, they grope, to save forth smothered Almains.
Him bare, scorched by wild flames, out noble Brennus,
To the air, in his tough arms. Sith saved his men,
The prince's hardy Britons. Heremod then,
Tells how in battle-night, under the Pyrene,
Went, like to reaper, through the foes, prince Brennus,
Leaving wide swathe of bloody carcases.
Nigh whom, he Heremod, tempting to make head,
His warriors, which had foughten the long night,
Were borne aback. Then did his own feet slide,
In gore; and stumbling, he was overrun,
By great onrushing weight of enemies;
And in that murk, down-trodden with the slain.
Nor might break through Iberians, his few Almains,
To save his body: but from mouth to mouth,
Being heard their cry soon of his brother Brennus;
He, left pursuing, straight resistless waded,
Through thickest press, in the uncertain gloom,
(Like forest bull which tramples men and hounds,)
Of enemies: so rushed on the prince, and saved
Him Heremod; and from Brennus' whirling brand,
Began Iberians' flight and overthrow.
His warriors, which had foughten the long night,
Were borne aback. Then did his own feet slide,
In gore; and stumbling, he was overrun,
By great onrushing weight of enemies;
And in that murk, down-trodden with the slain.
Nor might break through Iberians, his few Almains,
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Being heard their cry soon of his brother Brennus;
He, left pursuing, straight resistless waded,
Through thickest press, in the uncertain gloom,
(Like forest bull which tramples men and hounds,)
Of enemies: so rushed on the prince, and saved
Him Heremod; and from Brennus' whirling brand,
Began Iberians' flight and overthrow.
Sits Brennus prince, as one who knows not yet,
Their speeches' sense; and on the hearthstone stares.
Came in then, man, which can the tongue of Gauls,
Bordering his people's mark the flood of Rhine.
Interprets this; and by his mouth, prince Brennus
Recounts, how he the ethling Heremod risen,
Found, on his knees; and thus he still contended,
Like sullen rock, gainst surging enemies.
And, yet, though all now broken was his shield;
And many were his hurts, he, with great strokes,
Did them affray, and with his dreadful looks.
Their speeches' sense; and on the hearthstone stares.
Came in then, man, which can the tongue of Gauls,
Bordering his people's mark the flood of Rhine.
Interprets this; and by his mouth, prince Brennus
Recounts, how he the ethling Heremod risen,
Found, on his knees; and thus he still contended,
Like sullen rock, gainst surging enemies.
And, yet, though all now broken was his shield;
And many were his hurts, he, with great strokes,
Did them affray, and with his dreadful looks.
Sith foot to foot, together, they fought forth,
Morion to morion, presséd shield to shield;
And gods renewed their strength. In that, quoth Brennus,
Fainted his arm, his shoulder had gored shaft.
Then Heremod on Iberians, like wild bull,
Running, them hurled, that not sustained his force,
Aback, and thence returned in the dim night,
Protending the immense hollow of his targe,
He cut the bitter fork-head from his flesh,
And staunched the blood, under his mailéd harness.
Thus then the heroes spake their noble hearts.
Morion to morion, presséd shield to shield;
And gods renewed their strength. In that, quoth Brennus,
Fainted his arm, his shoulder had gored shaft.
Then Heremod on Iberians, like wild bull,
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Aback, and thence returned in the dim night,
Protending the immense hollow of his targe,
He cut the bitter fork-head from his flesh,
And staunched the blood, under his mailéd harness.
Thus then the heroes spake their noble hearts.
Rose Hildegond, encumbered her blue eyes,
Of acrid mist, which in her nosthrils, pricks;
And son she calls, with Heremod, Briton Brennus.
She took the red wreathed gold, from off her neck,
Pound-weight; and dight the Britain prince, therewith.
Fridia, being likewise moved of the Earth-goddess;
Though flush the maiden blood up in her cheeks,
Of many golden spires, lo, her bright bracelet,
Undoeth; and on the strong forearm of Brennus,
It knits: thrice-happy Brennus! Heremod sith,
Of Corwen, peerless mother of the prince,
Tells forth: and though deceased, Fridia discerns
Her form divine, in her prophetic vision;
And sees her face and personage in Prince Brennus!
His mother hearing named, the heart of Brennus
Leapt: then, with such few words, as he might frame,
Of halting Almain speech, but sounding sweet,
Upon his Gaulish tongue, two precious rings,
(Of virtue holden, to preserve from harms.)
Were of his mother dear; (which out of Britain,
After her death, he had received,) from purse,
Of Spain, takes forth. And that one doth prince Brennus,
On venerable hand of Hildegond:
This other shining bright, with a clear stone;
Under the sacred looking of her eyes,
On the white priestess hand of lovéd Fridia.
Of acrid mist, which in her nosthrils, pricks;
And son she calls, with Heremod, Briton Brennus.
She took the red wreathed gold, from off her neck,
Pound-weight; and dight the Britain prince, therewith.
Fridia, being likewise moved of the Earth-goddess;
Though flush the maiden blood up in her cheeks,
Of many golden spires, lo, her bright bracelet,
Undoeth; and on the strong forearm of Brennus,
It knits: thrice-happy Brennus! Heremod sith,
Of Corwen, peerless mother of the prince,
Tells forth: and though deceased, Fridia discerns
Her form divine, in her prophetic vision;
And sees her face and personage in Prince Brennus!
His mother hearing named, the heart of Brennus
Leapt: then, with such few words, as he might frame,
Of halting Almain speech, but sounding sweet,
Upon his Gaulish tongue, two precious rings,
(Of virtue holden, to preserve from harms.)
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After her death, he had received,) from purse,
Of Spain, takes forth. And that one doth prince Brennus,
On venerable hand of Hildegond:
This other shining bright, with a clear stone;
Under the sacred looking of her eyes,
On the white priestess hand of lovéd Fridia.
Then erst he durst consider, and behold,
Her looks; whom he, as banquet of the gods,
Desires to spouse. Is such her heavenly feature,
In maiden kind, as noble Heremod,
Her rud as apple blossoms, vermeil-white,
Her locks, long broidered in a virgin tress,
Like sunny rays; and like to song, at dawn,
Him seems, of the small birds in foster Britain;
Which doth unearth his soul, her heavenly voice!
Her eyes are holy wells of arcane love.
Her looks; whom he, as banquet of the gods,
Desires to spouse. Is such her heavenly feature,
In maiden kind, as noble Heremod,
Her rud as apple blossoms, vermeil-white,
Her locks, long broidered in a virgin tress,
Like sunny rays; and like to song, at dawn,
Him seems, of the small birds in foster Britain;
Which doth unearth his soul, her heavenly voice!
Her eyes are holy wells of arcane love.
And much yet Heremod tells, of Gaul so wide;
And things, which he hath heard, of Island Britain,
Land full of men and steeds and battle chariots.
So brought forth, from that ark, queen Hildegond,
And shows to Brennus, of child Heremod,
The plaything-arms, his javelins, bow and shafts:
And murmurs; he, in all, excelled his peers!
And things, which he hath heard, of Island Britain,
Land full of men and steeds and battle chariots.
So brought forth, from that ark, queen Hildegond,
And shows to Brennus, of child Heremod,
The plaything-arms, his javelins, bow and shafts:
And murmurs; he, in all, excelled his peers!
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Now eve; and turns king Aella home to house,
With his high kindred and great train of guests,
All freeborn men, that salute Heremod;
Till, in those wooden halls, is no more room.
Men sit without, on green sweet sprays of pine,
In Aella's garth; where kindled be long fires:
And maidens serve them of the royal house,
In silver-lipped deep horns of the wild ox,
To drink, of the hot ale, at many hearths.
All sit, with spear and shield, the Almains armed,
As is their guise, far forth into the night;
Drinking, long-haired, great-limbed men, of high looks.
But the ethling, when to him seemed good, arose.
Hushed then was this folkmote and parliament;
And turned to him is many an hardy face!
With his high kindred and great train of guests,
All freeborn men, that salute Heremod;
Till, in those wooden halls, is no more room.
Men sit without, on green sweet sprays of pine,
In Aella's garth; where kindled be long fires:
And maidens serve them of the royal house,
In silver-lipped deep horns of the wild ox,
To drink, of the hot ale, at many hearths.
All sit, with spear and shield, the Almains armed,
As is their guise, far forth into the night;
Drinking, long-haired, great-limbed men, of high looks.
But the ethling, when to him seemed good, arose.
Hushed then was this folkmote and parliament;
And turned to him is many an hardy face!
Heremod, with manly countenance and stern voice,
That great conquest records of Spain far off;
Wherein in brotherhood fought both Gauls and Almains.
All loud applaud; and crash, to shields, their arms!
For seemed to speak a god, by Heremod's mouth.
But uprose some old wight of crabbéd looks;
And blood, with comfortless fell brows, requires
His huskéd voice; for that was slain, by shaft,
Of ambushed Gauls his son, in Arden forest.
He said; and suddenly a dart poised, and cast,
It, midst this parliament, gainst the Gauls' king Brennus
That great conquest records of Spain far off;
Wherein in brotherhood fought both Gauls and Almains.
All loud applaud; and crash, to shields, their arms!
For seemed to speak a god, by Heremod's mouth.
But uprose some old wight of crabbéd looks;
And blood, with comfortless fell brows, requires
His huskéd voice; for that was slain, by shaft,
Of ambushed Gauls his son, in Arden forest.
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It, midst this parliament, gainst the Gauls' king Brennus
Lynx-like, leapt Heremod; and he his broad targe,
Thwarting, repressed the weapon impotent.
Laid the ethling, on his broad manslaying sword,
Then warlike hand; and terribly Heremod cries,
That madman seize, doth outrage to king's guests,
Against the reverence of this royal house!
Almains, which fell in Gaul, were few; and Brennus,
His brother, many more saved in the wars.
Gainst him first, Heremod, who would make, for this,
Pursuit, must fight; and sith gainst all his warriors,
Which turn from thence. Upon himself, he takes,
To quit, of Spain's great booty, all bloodwite.
Men signify, to the duke's speech, assent;
With loud and long applause, as one great voice.
Thwarting, repressed the weapon impotent.
Laid the ethling, on his broad manslaying sword,
Then warlike hand; and terribly Heremod cries,
That madman seize, doth outrage to king's guests,
Against the reverence of this royal house!
Almains, which fell in Gaul, were few; and Brennus,
His brother, many more saved in the wars.
Gainst him first, Heremod, who would make, for this,
Pursuit, must fight; and sith gainst all his warriors,
Which turn from thence. Upon himself, he takes,
To quit, of Spain's great booty, all bloodwite.
Men signify, to the duke's speech, assent;
With loud and long applause, as one great voice.
King Aella charged, them, who that felon sit,
Next, break his arms; and hurl him from the gate.
The king bade further, poll his beard and locks:
That every wight, who meets him in the path,
Him Nithing call, one who, though stepped in years,
Nor wisdom learned, nor reverence towards the gods.
Next, break his arms; and hurl him from the gate.
The king bade further, poll his beard and locks:
That every wight, who meets him in the path,
Him Nithing call, one who, though stepped in years,
Nor wisdom learned, nor reverence towards the gods.
That armed folk risen, take all their warlike hands,
The hand, and touch the sword of Heremod.
And sith the noble guest they hail, great Brennus.
So all these lodge, till morrow's day, and rest.
The sun uprising, to the winter hearths,
Bring bondsmen, from their bakehouse, in, new loaves;
And roast, great plenty, and seethed boar and sheep's flesh.
The hand, and touch the sword of Heremod.
And sith the noble guest they hail, great Brennus.
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The sun uprising, to the winter hearths,
Bring bondsmen, from their bakehouse, in, new loaves;
And roast, great plenty, and seethed boar and sheep's flesh.
Men eat their fills, and pour out to the gods;
And drink of the hot ale, till noon; when called
A noble maker ethling Heremod,
Leofwin, who now from wars returned of Brennus;
One wont, in halls of heroes, the high deeds
Chant of the wordwise god, the Lord-of-spears.
Leofwin, upstanding, sings that great conquest
Of the three dukes; and praise of Briton Brennus.
How wait upon the turning of each verse,
To take up the refrain, hoarse Almain throats!
As seemeth were tempest roaring in thick woods.
He sings then the gods' wars, birth of the earth,
And glorious deeds of Aella's divine sires:
That dwell in starry house, after their deaths.
And drink of the hot ale, till noon; when called
A noble maker ethling Heremod,
Leofwin, who now from wars returned of Brennus;
One wont, in halls of heroes, the high deeds
Chant of the wordwise god, the Lord-of-spears.
Leofwin, upstanding, sings that great conquest
Of the three dukes; and praise of Briton Brennus.
How wait upon the turning of each verse,
To take up the refrain, hoarse Almain throats!
As seemeth were tempest roaring in thick woods.
He sings then the gods' wars, birth of the earth,
And glorious deeds of Aella's divine sires:
That dwell in starry house, after their deaths.
Then, come, to hearth, where king and witan sit,
In their high stools; and Heremod with prince Brennus,
Men, thralls; which show that that old wight deceased,
Which from the assembly, yesternight, was cast.
Shamed, spoiled of arms, he would no more to house;
But went by way up of the forest lake,
Whereo'er hangs giddy darksome precipice.
There, reached forth his two hands, he leapt to Woden!
And they have drawn now out, with quonts and hooks,
From under sharded ice, his frozen corse.
King Aella grants, they lay him in a mound;
As sacred unto Woden, in his death.
In their high stools; and Heremod with prince Brennus,
Men, thralls; which show that that old wight deceased,
Which from the assembly, yesternight, was cast.
Shamed, spoiled of arms, he would no more to house;
72
Whereo'er hangs giddy darksome precipice.
There, reached forth his two hands, he leapt to Woden!
And they have drawn now out, with quonts and hooks,
From under sharded ice, his frozen corse.
King Aella grants, they lay him in a mound;
As sacred unto Woden, in his death.
Yet sit the Almains that day out, in feast;
And songs hear of far wars, in Spain, which made
The ethling Heremod and great Briton Brennus.
They sup; and sith men of their kindred ask,
In far South Land, of them which are come home.
Heremod, hark, answers, Well, and please high gods!
But many went home to the Hall-of-spears.
So bids each one, which turned with him, make known
Their fallen friends, and neighbours, by their names.
At Aella's royal garth, begins then wailing,
Of women: which, three days, through all Lippe's mark,
Shall sound. With firebrands, groaning multitude,
Gin wend then, to grave-ales, by forest paths;
Where the moonshine, behowl, the steeds of Woden.
And songs hear of far wars, in Spain, which made
The ethling Heremod and great Briton Brennus.
They sup; and sith men of their kindred ask,
In far South Land, of them which are come home.
Heremod, hark, answers, Well, and please high gods!
But many went home to the Hall-of-spears.
So bids each one, which turned with him, make known
Their fallen friends, and neighbours, by their names.
At Aella's royal garth, begins then wailing,
Of women: which, three days, through all Lippe's mark,
Shall sound. With firebrands, groaning multitude,
Gin wend then, to grave-ales, by forest paths;
Where the moonshine, behowl, the steeds of Woden.
Thenceforth with Aella and with Hildegond,
And with his oathfast brother, Heremod, dwells,
The noble Briton prince in forest Almaigne:
And the two happy eyes see, daily, of Brennus,
Her, for whose dear sake, he content to learn
Is Almains' tongue. Short now these winter days;
Them pass the dukes, in woodland wild, to hunt,
Brennus and Heremod chace, with bow and shafts,
The flying hart; or, roused in the rough brakes,
Slay wood-boars their sharp darts, and the ureox,
In thickest wold, most dreadful of all beasts,
Seen the man-hating fury of his red eyes;
And from his nosethrils fire and smoke breathe forth;
And yet, with Britain hounds, them kill, the dukes,
Hurling iron javelins. Are their gold-lipped horns,
For drinking-cups of heroes, in king's halls.
In snow-time, running upon long foot-skids,
Of supple boards, the palm-tyned mighty elk,
They course; or bear unharbour, in deep forest.
Thus joyous time they pass, till winter feast:
Thus, daily, breathe them, making war on beasts.
And well is loved of all, that Gaulish prince:
None gainsay Brennus, and none bear him envy.
And with his oathfast brother, Heremod, dwells,
The noble Briton prince in forest Almaigne:
73
Her, for whose dear sake, he content to learn
Is Almains' tongue. Short now these winter days;
Them pass the dukes, in woodland wild, to hunt,
Brennus and Heremod chace, with bow and shafts,
The flying hart; or, roused in the rough brakes,
Slay wood-boars their sharp darts, and the ureox,
In thickest wold, most dreadful of all beasts,
Seen the man-hating fury of his red eyes;
And from his nosethrils fire and smoke breathe forth;
And yet, with Britain hounds, them kill, the dukes,
Hurling iron javelins. Are their gold-lipped horns,
For drinking-cups of heroes, in king's halls.
In snow-time, running upon long foot-skids,
Of supple boards, the palm-tyned mighty elk,
They course; or bear unharbour, in deep forest.
Thus joyous time they pass, till winter feast:
Thus, daily, breathe them, making war on beasts.
And well is loved of all, that Gaulish prince:
None gainsay Brennus, and none bear him envy.
Come yule-tide, all by day, they sit at feast;
And Brennus, with the king, at tables, plays.
Then strangers enter, which, o'er the white snow,
Running on skids, did now, at Aella's garth,
Arrive. Powdered with frost, and stiff their joints,
All weary, come those in, clad in beasts' pelts,
From the fore-room. Standing before king Aella,
Done off their hoods, uncover, reverent,
The men. In the guest-place, then, they sit down,
Silent. Bond-maidens set before them, soon,
The royal hospitable board, whereon
Is brawn of swine and venison of wild wood,
And barley cakes and ale. Whilst all gaze on,
Those eat and drink; but yet no word they spake.
And sith, wherein of men of neighbour mark,
Their speech is couth; those say, how swarming Finns,
Came in long yawls, with warlike Esterlings,
To shore; which have the Chaucan people slain.
And they beseech king Aella, of his young men,
To send some hasty aid. The comely king,
Hoar-browed, like Woden, father of his folk,
Consents, with nod. Bright Fridia, horn of mead,
Bears to those guests; and gives them, Heremod,
His warlike hand. He, ethling, risen, sends men,
Then, kindle warflames on their frozen hills.
And Brennus, with the king, at tables, plays.
Then strangers enter, which, o'er the white snow,
Running on skids, did now, at Aella's garth,
Arrive. Powdered with frost, and stiff their joints,
74
From the fore-room. Standing before king Aella,
Done off their hoods, uncover, reverent,
The men. In the guest-place, then, they sit down,
Silent. Bond-maidens set before them, soon,
The royal hospitable board, whereon
Is brawn of swine and venison of wild wood,
And barley cakes and ale. Whilst all gaze on,
Those eat and drink; but yet no word they spake.
And sith, wherein of men of neighbour mark,
Their speech is couth; those say, how swarming Finns,
Came in long yawls, with warlike Esterlings,
To shore; which have the Chaucan people slain.
And they beseech king Aella, of his young men,
To send some hasty aid. The comely king,
Hoar-browed, like Woden, father of his folk,
Consents, with nod. Bright Fridia, horn of mead,
Bears to those guests; and gives them, Heremod,
His warlike hand. He, ethling, risen, sends men,
Then, kindle warflames on their frozen hills.
Those seen! before the winter's sun, arrive
Six score, behold, armed youth, to Aella's garth;
Warriors, till noon flock in. Five hundred spears,
Lo, ready, then, to march, with Heremod.
Duke Heremod, when sun's mid height passed; and Brennus,
Sally to warfare, clad in glittering harness!
Led by those messengers, hasting, they make forth,
Till early eve; when now in cleft of rocks,
They halt; where might be kindled unseen fires.
Six score, behold, armed youth, to Aella's garth;
Warriors, till noon flock in. Five hundred spears,
Lo, ready, then, to march, with Heremod.
75
Sally to warfare, clad in glittering harness!
Led by those messengers, hasting, they make forth,
Till early eve; when now in cleft of rocks,
They halt; where might be kindled unseen fires.
Thence fared, before the dawn, was afternoon,
When erst war-wasted smouldering thrope they pass;
Where, snow-o'erstrewn, lie many carcases.
Their sleuth they follow; and now in the path,
Find fallen-down outraged wives and little ones.
After short pause, to eat, Heremod leads forth,
All night. He cast prevent his enemies thus:
And certain place beset, in forest mark,
Of crags; whereas those needs must homeward pass.
Cold shine the stars, and give them little light.
When erst war-wasted smouldering thrope they pass;
Where, snow-o'erstrewn, lie many carcases.
Their sleuth they follow; and now in the path,
Find fallen-down outraged wives and little ones.
After short pause, to eat, Heremod leads forth,
All night. He cast prevent his enemies thus:
And certain place beset, in forest mark,
Of crags; whereas those needs must homeward pass.
Cold shine the stars, and give them little light.
In falling snow, lo, the ethling lights, unwares,
On Finns, in their night camps; which gainst the dawn,
Deeming themselves secure, now kindle fires.
As storm, with Woden-shouts, then furious Almains,
Them overrun, and long earth-shadowing, spears.
Finns, flying, win to covert of nigh cliff;
Where, without hope, yet thought they on a wile:
They swords set to some captive children's throats,
In Heremod's sight; who sent then, granting truce,
His herald. After parley, those them yield,
And promise hostages, having their lives saved.
Then those strange Finns, to Almains' duke, descend,
And Esterlings; and hanging their shock heads,
They cast their arms. Howbeit must custom hold,
Of stern Cheruscan nation; for each Almain
Is fallen, a foe, lot-chosen, shall be given,
To kinsmen of the slain, to thrall or kill.
Moreo'er shall ravisher of an Almain wife,
Without redemption, sufter drowning death.
On Finns, in their night camps; which gainst the dawn,
Deeming themselves secure, now kindle fires.
As storm, with Woden-shouts, then furious Almains,
Them overrun, and long earth-shadowing, spears.
Finns, flying, win to covert of nigh cliff;
Where, without hope, yet thought they on a wile:
They swords set to some captive children's throats,
In Heremod's sight; who sent then, granting truce,
76
And promise hostages, having their lives saved.
Then those strange Finns, to Almains' duke, descend,
And Esterlings; and hanging their shock heads,
They cast their arms. Howbeit must custom hold,
Of stern Cheruscan nation; for each Almain
Is fallen, a foe, lot-chosen, shall be given,
To kinsmen of the slain, to thrall or kill.
Moreo'er shall ravisher of an Almain wife,
Without redemption, sufter drowning death.
Sith, the ethling caused those enemies, twixt two rows
Of wives; whom they had with them, captives, led,
To pass. Who guilty found towards wife or maid;
On him arrest, of warriors' hands, is laid;
And such, to die, is bound. With scorn and stripes:
Being stripped of upper weed and shorn their heads,
The rest begin, like drove then of lean beasts,
Towards strand, where they their painted yawls had left,
Stem-dight with ivory of the whale's tooth, to trace.
Heremod returns; but enemies damned to death,
Drenched, in deep fen, were, in the homeward path;
Being trodden down under hurdles on them cast.
Of wives; whom they had with them, captives, led,
To pass. Who guilty found towards wife or maid;
On him arrest, of warriors' hands, is laid;
And such, to die, is bound. With scorn and stripes:
Being stripped of upper weed and shorn their heads,
The rest begin, like drove then of lean beasts,
Towards strand, where they their painted yawls had left,
Stem-dight with ivory of the whale's tooth, to trace.
Heremod returns; but enemies damned to death,
Drenched, in deep fen, were, in the homeward path;
Being trodden down under hurdles on them cast.
And come the war-dukes home, with their young men:
One day, with mead and ale, in Aella's hall;
And roast of slaughtered sheep and larded swine.
And Woden songs, they all make mirth and feast.
And, after this, they uphanged arms of Finns,
In hoar-swart pines of Nertha's sacred grove;
Where midst to heaven, with great sweet-smelling arms,
Tall cedar tree aspires, that image is,
Of the High Godhead, in vast forest Almaigne.
One day, with mead and ale, in Aella's hall;
77
And Woden songs, they all make mirth and feast.
And, after this, they uphanged arms of Finns,
In hoar-swart pines of Nertha's sacred grove;
Where midst to heaven, with great sweet-smelling arms,
Tall cedar tree aspires, that image is,
Of the High Godhead, in vast forest Almaigne.
Record, O Muse, in the next month, how feast
Was mongst long-living gods, in their abodes:
And wherein drink a mead those blesséd ones,
Divine, which source is of eternal youth.
Debate then grew, Who mongst all, on the earth,
In force, and manly beauty excelléd most:
And gave the more their voice for Briton Brennus.
Then who, of women wights, most peerless was:
And straightway all, for Fridia, gave their voice.
Then called they, on Freyia, her who goddess named,
Mongst Almain kin, of love's delicious bands.
And her they ask, were those dear mortals joined.
She nothing loth did promise: and consults
With Nertha, who consenting, shows, in dream,
Will of the gods to noble Hildegond.
Was mongst long-living gods, in their abodes:
And wherein drink a mead those blesséd ones,
Divine, which source is of eternal youth.
Debate then grew, Who mongst all, on the earth,
In force, and manly beauty excelléd most:
And gave the more their voice for Briton Brennus.
Then who, of women wights, most peerless was:
And straightway all, for Fridia, gave their voice.
Then called they, on Freyia, her who goddess named,
Mongst Almain kin, of love's delicious bands.
And her they ask, were those dear mortals joined.
She nothing loth did promise: and consults
With Nertha, who consenting, shows, in dream,
Will of the gods to noble Hildegond.
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And now betrothed are Fridia and noble Brennus,
Thereto consenting ethling Heremod.
King Aella and all the march and Hildegond;
So that them bless, who meet them in the path;
Saying, She, as Nertha, is fair; and white-browed Balder
Returned, them seems, into the world, in Brennus.
Thereto consenting ethling Heremod.
King Aella and all the march and Hildegond;
So that them bless, who meet them in the path;
Saying, She, as Nertha, is fair; and white-browed Balder
Returned, them seems, into the world, in Brennus.
Nigh is the day, when great Dunwallon's son,
To maiden daughter of Cheruscan king,
Priestess of mother Nertha, the earth-goddess,
Shall joinéd be, with great solemnity,
And feast and joy of all this Almain mark:
And gifts send even the ever-blesséd gods.
Come to this spousal lords, crowned with oak leaves,
And druids clad in white lawn, of Island Britain.
Come, from Lutetia, noblest Sénones Gauls,
Albe the winter snows yet hard to pass,
Whom Belin sends. And these bring warlike word;
That great armed multitude, both of this land's youth,
And Briton Gauls, shall thither soon arrive.
That would, to this year's warfare, with great Brennus.
Come messengers also out of Aquitaine;
And from the army of Gauls, in conquered Spain,
All bearing bridal gifts. A Britain chariot,
Is that which royal Belin sends to Fridia,
Rest for her sacred feet, enamelled white;
Whereon a shining sun is blazoned seen,
And whose swift fellies tyred with glittering tin,
And silver nails. But Hermione, who wife
To noble Belin; with true loving words,
Unto her sister, sends a gracious lace,
Down-reaching to her feet, of pearls of price,
Of Island Britain. Daughters of nigh kings,
Bring maiden gifts, clear carcanets and rings:
And on the morrow, shall their happy hands,
Comb the gold locks and the bright beauty deck,
Of her shall bride be of that glorious youth,
Who nephew is, men ween, of the day's god.
To maiden daughter of Cheruscan king,
Priestess of mother Nertha, the earth-goddess,
Shall joinéd be, with great solemnity,
And feast and joy of all this Almain mark:
And gifts send even the ever-blesséd gods.
Come to this spousal lords, crowned with oak leaves,
And druids clad in white lawn, of Island Britain.
Come, from Lutetia, noblest Sénones Gauls,
Albe the winter snows yet hard to pass,
Whom Belin sends. And these bring warlike word;
That great armed multitude, both of this land's youth,
And Briton Gauls, shall thither soon arrive.
That would, to this year's warfare, with great Brennus.
Come messengers also out of Aquitaine;
And from the army of Gauls, in conquered Spain,
All bearing bridal gifts. A Britain chariot,
Is that which royal Belin sends to Fridia,
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Whereon a shining sun is blazoned seen,
And whose swift fellies tyred with glittering tin,
And silver nails. But Hermione, who wife
To noble Belin; with true loving words,
Unto her sister, sends a gracious lace,
Down-reaching to her feet, of pearls of price,
Of Island Britain. Daughters of nigh kings,
Bring maiden gifts, clear carcanets and rings:
And on the morrow, shall their happy hands,
Comb the gold locks and the bright beauty deck,
Of her shall bride be of that glorious youth,
Who nephew is, men ween, of the day's god.
Now is the eve, when they, with songs, arrive,
Of that thrice-blissful morn of men and gods,
Wherein shall Fridia and Brennus be made one.
And lo, from strand, ascend a whimpled train,
In garments green, of sacred priestesses.
Unto whom all ethlings, kings and Aella's folk,
Enranged, in tall long rows, to see them pass,
Unhooded their proud heads, do reverence!
Those which wend up, with sacred caroling;
Are virgin ministers of the great Earth-goddess.
Of that thrice-blissful morn of men and gods,
Wherein shall Fridia and Brennus be made one.
And lo, from strand, ascend a whimpled train,
In garments green, of sacred priestesses.
Unto whom all ethlings, kings and Aella's folk,
Enranged, in tall long rows, to see them pass,
Unhooded their proud heads, do reverence!
Those which wend up, with sacred caroling;
Are virgin ministers of the great Earth-goddess.
In keel, which fleeted without oar or sail,
Were they on Lippé's streaming flood come in.
Who first incedes, her person half divine,
Blue-veiled, is Holda of the lake, men deem:
She, lady, bears bright sceptre of the goddess!
Fridia them leads to Nertha's sacred grove,
Whose boughs, of themselves bending, make them bowers.
Were they on Lippé's streaming flood come in.
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Blue-veiled, is Holda of the lake, men deem:
She, lady, bears bright sceptre of the goddess!
Fridia them leads to Nertha's sacred grove,
Whose boughs, of themselves bending, make them bowers.
There fleets an isle, in vast grey ocean's stream,
Which people the religious Englen, pure
From crimes, wherein a lake and holy grove,
Abode of Nertha, great earth-mother. None
May enter, save her virgin-priests alone;
Where stands her wagon, deckt with precious veil,
Beneath broad eaves of oaks. It, once a year,
Her sacred kine draw through the island paths;
Bearing her nodding image. In each place,
Where they arrive, all day, is joy and feast.
And whereas Lady Nertha deigns to pass,
Their arms must all men, even their ploughshares, hide;
Till, goddess, when last weary to converse,
With wights, she to her hallowed grove reverts.
Her covert image, then, and holy cart,
Shall her rune-maiden ministers, in the lake,
Wash; namely they on whom is fallen the lot.
Whereafter ben those no more seen, with eye.
Is fame, that might be hid so arcane thing,
Joined hands, they frantic, chanting, leap therein;
Leap in dark sacred wave, whereas they drown.
Which people the religious Englen, pure
From crimes, wherein a lake and holy grove,
Abode of Nertha, great earth-mother. None
May enter, save her virgin-priests alone;
Where stands her wagon, deckt with precious veil,
Beneath broad eaves of oaks. It, once a year,
Her sacred kine draw through the island paths;
Bearing her nodding image. In each place,
Where they arrive, all day, is joy and feast.
And whereas Lady Nertha deigns to pass,
Their arms must all men, even their ploughshares, hide;
Till, goddess, when last weary to converse,
With wights, she to her hallowed grove reverts.
Her covert image, then, and holy cart,
Shall her rune-maiden ministers, in the lake,
Wash; namely they on whom is fallen the lot.
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Is fame, that might be hid so arcane thing,
Joined hands, they frantic, chanting, leap therein;
Leap in dark sacred wave, whereas they drown.
Come of the divine blood of Friothgar,
Made Fridia, in that sea-isle, abode, one year,
Clothed in white lawn, among the holy nuns;
And was the maiden loved of the earth-goddess.
Wherefore that great Earth-mother pleased is send
Her priestess, Holda, to this marriage.
And gave the Mother, Nertha, charge to Holda,
Bear from her vestiary, fair embroidered stole,
Of lambs' fine wool, to deck the bride of Brennus:
And from her sacred boughs, that sunbright shield,
Made of some metal clear as crystal glass,
Which, to her godhead, Woden there uphanged,
What day, for blameless Balder, to enquire,
Of Hel; to bourne of endless night he passed.
Made Fridia, in that sea-isle, abode, one year,
Clothed in white lawn, among the holy nuns;
And was the maiden loved of the earth-goddess.
Wherefore that great Earth-mother pleased is send
Her priestess, Holda, to this marriage.
And gave the Mother, Nertha, charge to Holda,
Bear from her vestiary, fair embroidered stole,
Of lambs' fine wool, to deck the bride of Brennus:
And from her sacred boughs, that sunbright shield,
Made of some metal clear as crystal glass,
Which, to her godhead, Woden there uphanged,
What day, for blameless Balder, to enquire,
Of Hel; to bourne of endless night he passed.
Through valleys, murk and low, amidst sharp rocks,
As spears, his journey holds upon his horse,
Far in North Land and cold, the waywont god;
And girt to him, for chill, his hunter's cloak.
A land, where giveth sun's burning wheel no light;
But is there twilight, as of fiery mist.
Then o'er black waters of twelve roaring floods,
And by the Bridge-of-dread, he, shrouded, rode,
That seemed like hanging hair of gold or glass,
Over the river Bale. It safely passed
His eight-hooved steed, and much swart-leaved dank forest;
Where griesly spirits wonne by infernal fen.
As spears, his journey holds upon his horse,
Far in North Land and cold, the waywont god;
And girt to him, for chill, his hunter's cloak.
A land, where giveth sun's burning wheel no light;
But is there twilight, as of fiery mist.
Then o'er black waters of twelve roaring floods,
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That seemed like hanging hair of gold or glass,
Over the river Bale. It safely passed
His eight-hooved steed, and much swart-leaved dank forest;
Where griesly spirits wonne by infernal fen.
Faring time of twelve suns, of upper earth,
The High One came to Hel's vast dwelling-place;
Dread gates, wherethrough, an host, at once, may pass.
There never-ending trains, late unbound ghosts,
(The most lamenting,) still arrive. In that,
Approached veiled goddess of the lofty night;
Whose head all diademed is with frosty stars:
Seemed tempest-cloud, which from her neck, outblows,
Her weed. She fleeing new light on the earth,
In her iron charret hither daily rides;
Where with her son, Sleep, she wont rest: cold Death,
(Her other son,) lies slumbering in her arms.
She loost then her swart team, in baleful mead,
Of asphodel, to pasture forth, till eve,
Of upper world; beside a darksome grove.
The High One came to Hel's vast dwelling-place;
Dread gates, wherethrough, an host, at once, may pass.
There never-ending trains, late unbound ghosts,
(The most lamenting,) still arrive. In that,
Approached veiled goddess of the lofty night;
Whose head all diademed is with frosty stars:
Seemed tempest-cloud, which from her neck, outblows,
Her weed. She fleeing new light on the earth,
In her iron charret hither daily rides;
Where with her son, Sleep, she wont rest: cold Death,
(Her other son,) lies slumbering in her arms.
She loost then her swart team, in baleful mead,
Of asphodel, to pasture forth, till eve,
Of upper world; beside a darksome grove.
He at Hel's threshold lights, great murk-faced goddess:
Who all she daily gets, in her dire walls,
For evermore, implacable, withholds;
But not Hoarbeard, all-witty Woden, god!
Who all she daily gets, in her dire walls,
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But not Hoarbeard, all-witty Woden, god!
Or Nerthus, fem. in Tacitus; where some read Erthus: compare nevertheless the form Niorth, of the Scandinavian pagan age.
Fair rising Dawn hath harnessed her white steeds;
And drives, with Morning-red, in swift cart, forth;
And after them, that smiles o'er wood and mark,
The happy day now cometh up apace.
And drives, with Morning-red, in swift cart, forth;
And after them, that smiles o'er wood and mark,
The happy day now cometh up apace.
And who is this, like poplar, mongst broad oaks,
Midst Britons, whose white raiment, of their Isle's
Fine wool, o'erdight with gentle needlework,
And Balder seems, draws nigh to Aella's garth?
Illustrious Brennus is! All rise; goes forth
Aella, the king, to meet him in the path.
Follow chief Almains, in fresh garments trim,
Long-belted wadmel coats, breeks, buskinned shoon.
Stand wives, of fair aspect, on either part.
Midst Britons, whose white raiment, of their Isle's
Fine wool, o'erdight with gentle needlework,
And Balder seems, draws nigh to Aella's garth?
Illustrious Brennus is! All rise; goes forth
Aella, the king, to meet him in the path.
Follow chief Almains, in fresh garments trim,
Long-belted wadmel coats, breeks, buskinned shoon.
Stand wives, of fair aspect, on either part.
Wide, then, gan sound, with voice, the Almaigne forest;
Of a great multitude that do now arrive,
All in their best array. Sith, when were husht
Their joyous throngs, before the royal garth;
First to the midst, his spouse-gift Brennus leads,
An easy-paced Asturian peerless steed,
That knows not weariness in mountain paths;
And barded all with gingling little chains,
Of silver. Leap in Brennus' other hand,
A leash, well taught to war, of Britain hounds;
Each one, a chariot-worth and team of steeds.
Of a great multitude that do now arrive,
All in their best array. Sith, when were husht
Their joyous throngs, before the royal garth;
First to the midst, his spouse-gift Brennus leads,
An easy-paced Asturian peerless steed,
That knows not weariness in mountain paths;
And barded all with gingling little chains,
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A leash, well taught to war, of Britain hounds;
Each one, a chariot-worth and team of steeds.
Tall young men bear, (are sons of Briton lords,)
Spoil of the wars in Spain, after great Brennus,
On their white folded cloaks; bright morion ceiled,
Lo, glittering, silver gilt, for her fair head.
Then hauberk of clear steel; wherein the sun,
And moon and seven stars, that look from heaven,
On this wide forest mark, are limned of gold.
Where seen to run, tyned harts, bulls and wood-boars:
And palm-great golden broach, where cunning smith
Hath wrought two plough-beves; that, under one yoke,
Gin break the stubborn glebe. And they bring gifts,
Of needle and of loom, to Hildegond.
Spoil of the wars in Spain, after great Brennus,
On their white folded cloaks; bright morion ceiled,
Lo, glittering, silver gilt, for her fair head.
Then hauberk of clear steel; wherein the sun,
And moon and seven stars, that look from heaven,
On this wide forest mark, are limned of gold.
Where seen to run, tyned harts, bulls and wood-boars:
And palm-great golden broach, where cunning smith
Hath wrought two plough-beves; that, under one yoke,
Gin break the stubborn glebe. And they bring gifts,
Of needle and of loom, to Hildegond.
Pass by, then, six tall young men, comely clad;
Whose nutbrown visages and their swart-ringed locks,
Witness that were they captives, in far wars.
They treasure bear of Spain, in a bright coffer,
Of bronze; and gift it is of Briton Brennus,
To Aella. Aella, sire of Heremod,
To Briton Brennus, gives most renowned brand.
Hight Lean-devourer, that, from sire to son,
Of Aella's house, in many a valiant hand,
Hath fed grey wolves and made swart ravens feast.
It sledged brown dwarves, and Almains say, a god
It gave to his sire's grandsire Friothgar,
Who Woden's warlike seed. Then Heremod,
To his dear sister, maiden captive, gives.
The duke, in burning city, saved the child
Had, from dim temple of Asturian god.
And well she, (who of perfect feature,) is
Expert, in women's arts, and skill of herbs.
And smiles the maiden Osset, glad in heart,
That lady Fridia she shall serve henceforth.
Whose nutbrown visages and their swart-ringed locks,
Witness that were they captives, in far wars.
They treasure bear of Spain, in a bright coffer,
Of bronze; and gift it is of Briton Brennus,
To Aella. Aella, sire of Heremod,
To Briton Brennus, gives most renowned brand.
Hight Lean-devourer, that, from sire to son,
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Hath fed grey wolves and made swart ravens feast.
It sledged brown dwarves, and Almains say, a god
It gave to his sire's grandsire Friothgar,
Who Woden's warlike seed. Then Heremod,
To his dear sister, maiden captive, gives.
The duke, in burning city, saved the child
Had, from dim temple of Asturian god.
And well she, (who of perfect feature,) is
Expert, in women's arts, and skill of herbs.
And smiles the maiden Osset, glad in heart,
That lady Fridia she shall serve henceforth.
Gives noble Heremod, to his brother Brennus,
A matchless helm, of fine Iberian steel,
And hauberk of hard bronze, inlaid with gold;
Chiefest of all his spoils in the late wars.
And it, with hard assay, had won his hand;
Which slew, that long withstood him at a ford,
Cantabrian king and spoiled him of his harness.
A matchless helm, of fine Iberian steel,
And hauberk of hard bronze, inlaid with gold;
Chiefest of all his spoils in the late wars.
And it, with hard assay, had won his hand;
Which slew, that long withstood him at a ford,
Cantabrian king and spoiled him of his harness.
But Fridia, her most pure and sacred self,
Gives to her Briton spouse, bove all worlds' good,
See, where she comes, in vesture of the goddess,
Mongst maidens bright. And whilst all, on her, look,
She, from her forehead, takes the priestess band;
And girds, therewith, the brows of noble Brennus!
And all that see rejoice. Long were relate,
What several gifts the army sends of Spain;
And what the lords of grateful Aquitaine,
And of Ligurians; and of island Britain.
Behold, on silver boughs of young ash trees,
Where these be hanged before the Court of Aella.
The young men gaze on spoils of Southern wars,
And in their hearts creeps eager thirst of arms.
Gives to her Briton spouse, bove all worlds' good,
See, where she comes, in vesture of the goddess,
Mongst maidens bright. And whilst all, on her, look,
She, from her forehead, takes the priestess band;
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And all that see rejoice. Long were relate,
What several gifts the army sends of Spain;
And what the lords of grateful Aquitaine,
And of Ligurians; and of island Britain.
Behold, on silver boughs of young ash trees,
Where these be hanged before the Court of Aella.
The young men gaze on spoils of Southern wars,
And in their hearts creeps eager thirst of arms.
Went, early, bond-folk forth, with sliding wains:
And now they draw home goodly beams of pines.
Then whoso freeborn men, of Aella's mark,
Have skill in timber work, build of notched frame,
The bridal bower; and helping many hands,
This work goeth up apace, till afternoon.
Beat wives, with mauls, a floor of clay, wherein,
Have some, already, framed the sacred hearth:
Stop othersome, with ling, the chinks, and moss.
And now they draw home goodly beams of pines.
Then whoso freeborn men, of Aella's mark,
Have skill in timber work, build of notched frame,
The bridal bower; and helping many hands,
This work goeth up apace, till afternoon.
Beat wives, with mauls, a floor of clay, wherein,
Have some, already, framed the sacred hearth:
Stop othersome, with ling, the chinks, and moss.
Stoops now this winter's sun, to the world's brink,
And ready thatched, beside King Aella's garth,
With eaves of birchen rind and the green sods,
Stands the spouse-house; whose floor with spoils is deckt,
Of the ureox and bear, and the great hart;
On thick-strewed parfumed evergreen of pine.
Full-ended all, last sprinkle priests the place;
With chanted spell, gainst elves and wicked wights.
And ready thatched, beside King Aella's garth,
With eaves of birchen rind and the green sods,
Stands the spouse-house; whose floor with spoils is deckt,
Of the ureox and bear, and the great hart;
On thick-strewed parfumed evergreen of pine.
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With chanted spell, gainst elves and wicked wights.
Then Fridia clothed, in stole of the Earth-goddess;
And girt, with Aella's brand, great Briton Brennus,
And Woden, Almain god's bright shield embraced.
Before the people all, in the king's porch,
Standing; in the joined hands of Hildegond,
And Aella and glorious ethling Heremod,
They, spouses, lay their pious happy hands;
And plight their troth, which makes true marriage bond.
All shout then this glad folk, Long be their lives!
Thrice blesséd be they of the mighty gods!
And all bewonder Woden's sunbright targe,
Saying, that who it bears should win the world.
And girt, with Aella's brand, great Briton Brennus,
And Woden, Almain god's bright shield embraced.
Before the people all, in the king's porch,
Standing; in the joined hands of Hildegond,
And Aella and glorious ethling Heremod,
They, spouses, lay their pious happy hands;
And plight their troth, which makes true marriage bond.
All shout then this glad folk, Long be their lives!
Thrice blesséd be they of the mighty gods!
And all bewonder Woden's sunbright targe,
Saying, that who it bears should win the world.
Swept forth the snow; on boughs, in the king's garth;
Now eve, sit multitude, lo, of freeborn guests:
For makes them a great supper Heremod,
Of hundred fatling sheep, thrice told, and swine.
All sit at feast: men eat, at many hearths;
And drink great fats, in horns of the ureox,
Of mighty ale. They last, come new day-red,
By forest paths, wend homeward to their steads;
Chanting loud praise of Fridia and prince Brennus.
Now eve, sit multitude, lo, of freeborn guests:
For makes them a great supper Heremod,
Of hundred fatling sheep, thrice told, and swine.
All sit at feast: men eat, at many hearths;
And drink great fats, in horns of the ureox,
Of mighty ale. They last, come new day-red,
By forest paths, wend homeward to their steads;
Chanting loud praise of Fridia and prince Brennus.
But white-browed Holda's sacred fellowship;
Which yesterday, in Nertha's hallowed grove,
Lodged; to whom Aliruna came, by night,
(Soothsaying priestess she, of neighbour mark,)
Parted, ere day, with her, of all unwist:
And on dim Lippé's falling stream embarked.
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Lodged; to whom Aliruna came, by night,
(Soothsaying priestess she, of neighbour mark,)
Parted, ere day, with her, of all unwist:
And on dim Lippé's falling stream embarked.
But come that month, when hastes the day to rise,
And sound the floods, unchained from winter frost,
And budding, snowtime past, is the new green;
When open gin long furrows, the plough kine,
And cast now husband-thralls in, the seed grain,
Assembled all the mark, in Aella's court;
Where called them Heremod, to new parliament.
And sound the floods, unchained from winter frost,
And budding, snowtime past, is the new green;
When open gin long furrows, the plough kine,
And cast now husband-thralls in, the seed grain,
Assembled all the mark, in Aella's court;
Where called them Heremod, to new parliament.
He, ethling, duke of the outfaring youth,
Rose, and rose Brennus prince of the Gauls' powers;
And joining hand in hand, erst, each one, oath
Renews, to other, by their fathers' gods;
And mounded graves. Sets Heremod then, for time,
Convenient, the last week of the new moon;
Wherein, in Axiberg forest, fast by Rhine,
The Almain youth shall meet, to march with Brennus.
To Fridia appeared, that nightime, Nertha goddess,
Clad in bright light, and armed like battle god.
Commands the great Earth-mother, Heremod,
March forth, nor doubt to conquer a new world.
Then, on loved Fridia, her prophetic spirit,
She breathed, and promised glorious motherhood.
Rose, and rose Brennus prince of the Gauls' powers;
And joining hand in hand, erst, each one, oath
Renews, to other, by their fathers' gods;
And mounded graves. Sets Heremod then, for time,
Convenient, the last week of the new moon;
Wherein, in Axiberg forest, fast by Rhine,
The Almain youth shall meet, to march with Brennus.
To Fridia appeared, that nightime, Nertha goddess,
Clad in bright light, and armed like battle god.
Commands the great Earth-mother, Heremod,
March forth, nor doubt to conquer a new world.
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She breathed, and promised glorious motherhood.
Lo, from all marches of vast forest Almaigne,
Whose nation always ready unto wars;
There issue great armed trains, to foot and horse.
By wold, by moorish fen and craggéd path,
Towards Axiberg, on the Rhine, those daily pass.
And to all Almains, sacred is that place.
Fame is, of ash-tree, there, created was,
The Almain nation, in days of the gods.
Whose nation always ready unto wars;
There issue great armed trains, to foot and horse.
By wold, by moorish fen and craggéd path,
Towards Axiberg, on the Rhine, those daily pass.
And to all Almains, sacred is that place.
Fame is, of ash-tree, there, created was,
The Almain nation, in days of the gods.
Freyia, winsome goddess, and alwitty Woden,
Went, spouses, down, at eve, for their disport;
To play and bathe them, long Rhine's streaming brinks;
Those gods beheld, lodged under an ash root,
Two hollow trunks, there on an oozy strand.
They looked; and bare those form, in trëen mould,
Of both kinds, like to children of the gods?
Whose playthings they, on Rhine, were fleeted forth,
From Asgarth, where then blesséd gods abode.
Went, spouses, down, at eve, for their disport;
To play and bathe them, long Rhine's streaming brinks;
Those gods beheld, lodged under an ash root,
Two hollow trunks, there on an oozy strand.
They looked; and bare those form, in trëen mould,
Of both kinds, like to children of the gods?
Whose playthings they, on Rhine, were fleeted forth,
From Asgarth, where then blesséd gods abode.
And laughed the Lord-of-spears: and named that one,
Ash: but his goddess spouse that other, Embla,
The elm. Yet lay they empty and void of breath,
Then Woden made them living; and endued,
With sense and mind, and motion gave and spirit.
But Freyia gave fleshly hew and wit and speech;
And beauty unto Embla. And they gave, both,
Them kindly love, that might those twain ben one.
Moreo'er, to Ash, gave Woden strength and arms;
Two spears that shaped themselves, in the god's hands,
Of the wild reeds; lest lacking these defence,
Against sharp teeth of forest beasts, should perish.
Ash: but his goddess spouse that other, Embla,
The elm. Yet lay they empty and void of breath,
Then Woden made them living; and endued,
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But Freyia gave fleshly hew and wit and speech;
And beauty unto Embla. And they gave, both,
Them kindly love, that might those twain ben one.
Moreo'er, to Ash, gave Woden strength and arms;
Two spears that shaped themselves, in the god's hands,
Of the wild reeds; lest lacking these defence,
Against sharp teeth of forest beasts, should perish.
Then, as wont parents their young children lead,
So these the divine spouses; and them, speech,
Taught, in the way; and covering from the cold,
Much fleece, in brambles there was caught, them gave:
And brought to blameless Balder, the bright-faced;
Because in mansion of the blesséd gods,
Him plained the golden god of his dark weird;
That without progeny, he, from sweet sun's light,
When come his fated day, should be exiled.
There Nanna, in an hall of shining gold,
And silver, them, that god's true faithful wife,
Received, she which sith, followed, him in death.
So these the divine spouses; and them, speech,
Taught, in the way; and covering from the cold,
Much fleece, in brambles there was caught, them gave:
And brought to blameless Balder, the bright-faced;
Because in mansion of the blesséd gods,
Him plained the golden god of his dark weird;
That without progeny, he, from sweet sun's light,
When come his fated day, should be exiled.
There Nanna, in an hall of shining gold,
And silver, them, that god's true faithful wife,
Received, she which sith, followed, him in death.
Great is the assembling, armed, to Axiberg strand,
Of warlike nation of the Northern gods;
Where every kin known by their painted targe.
Now is the morn, when ethling Heremod,
To his young men, before him marched, should ride.
With him ride, Fridia and his brother, Brennus.
Aella, who old, shall follow them in wains.
Of warlike nation of the Northern gods;
Where every kin known by their painted targe.
Now is the morn, when ethling Heremod,
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With him ride, Fridia and his brother, Brennus.
Aella, who old, shall follow them in wains.
Clear is the heaven, when now the sun upmounts.
With fiery steeds and favourable omens.
Tearful leave-taking then of Hildegond;
Deprived, in one day, of her children both.
And when they sever from her lips and breast,
She would she were some little hovering bird;
Then might she overflit their daily march.
With fiery steeds and favourable omens.
Tearful leave-taking then of Hildegond;
Deprived, in one day, of her children both.
And when they sever from her lips and breast,
She would she were some little hovering bird;
Then might she overflit their daily march.
To Ashberg all at length arrive; where formed
Had holy gods the first man and first wife.
And, lo, there, ethlings sit in parliament,
Under wide beechen boughs, by Rhine; where stone
Smokes, altar of the god alwitty Woden:
King Aella marvels, who grown old in wars,
Beholding so great host of Mannus' sons!
And how come youth of hostile kins, in arms:
To march with Brennus and duke Heremod.
All kings salute each other; and joined hands,
Swear on that antique altar of the god,
Father-of-battles, truth, at home, abroad,
Keep in these wars. To visit round the camps,
Kings, ethlings, lords, in companies, then, outride.
And ethling Heremod names records of tribes,
In this great weapon-show, known by their shields,
Unto loved Fridia and his brother Brennus.
Here Yscaewonen booths, there Herminones:
Yond, (big with destiny of the Gothic name,)
Lodge Ingawonen, many lignages.
And, daily, other warlike swarms arrive,
Men of like hew and speech and countenance.
Are these then children of the Northern gods.
Had holy gods the first man and first wife.
And, lo, there, ethlings sit in parliament,
Under wide beechen boughs, by Rhine; where stone
Smokes, altar of the god alwitty Woden:
King Aella marvels, who grown old in wars,
Beholding so great host of Mannus' sons!
And how come youth of hostile kins, in arms:
To march with Brennus and duke Heremod.
All kings salute each other; and joined hands,
Swear on that antique altar of the god,
Father-of-battles, truth, at home, abroad,
Keep in these wars. To visit round the camps,
Kings, ethlings, lords, in companies, then, outride.
And ethling Heremod names records of tribes,
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Unto loved Fridia and his brother Brennus.
Here Yscaewonen booths, there Herminones:
Yond, (big with destiny of the Gothic name,)
Lodge Ingawonen, many lignages.
And, daily, other warlike swarms arrive,
Men of like hew and speech and countenance.
Are these then children of the Northern gods.
Brennus and Fridia journey, thence, to Belin.
They passed, on floats, grey currents of the Rhine;
Ride now towards setting sun. With them march Britons,
Those namely which, from Spain, returned with Brennus,
And dwelled in Almaigne. Lo, then, after days,
Lutece; where both of Main and Island Gauls,
Moved by shrill fame of far Hesperian wars,
Is come great multitude in, of tall armed youth;
To follow glorious Brennus, to far wars.
They passed, on floats, grey currents of the Rhine;
Ride now towards setting sun. With them march Britons,
Those namely which, from Spain, returned with Brennus,
And dwelled in Almaigne. Lo, then, after days,
Lutece; where both of Main and Island Gauls,
Moved by shrill fame of far Hesperian wars,
Is come great multitude in, of tall armed youth;
To follow glorious Brennus, to far wars.
Behold, in meadows large, these, on both parts;
Where joined, by wooden bruggs, Seine's fenny shores,
To his isle-city walls. Issues King Belin,
Riding with a great train of Belges lords;
To meet his germain, and the spouse of Brennus,
New-wedded Fridia, Almains' prophetess;
That goddess seems, such is her heavenly feature.
And them, with joy, receiving and high honour;
His sister now leads home; where Hermion queen,
In whom, like beauty and grace, (gift of the gods,
From whence her blood derives,) her gathers, dear,
To her gentle bosom. Fridia shows King Belin,
From his gate's battled tower, wide-glittering field;
Naming the tribes and kins, whose shining arms
Are ordered seen, in many wain-girt camps:
And tells, how some in horses, some in chariots;
And who, firm-foot, to battle with broad glaive,
Excell, or spear, and shield. Other bear bows;
A few been slingers, herdfolk of Gaul's hills.
Where joined, by wooden bruggs, Seine's fenny shores,
To his isle-city walls. Issues King Belin,
Riding with a great train of Belges lords;
To meet his germain, and the spouse of Brennus,
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That goddess seems, such is her heavenly feature.
And them, with joy, receiving and high honour;
His sister now leads home; where Hermion queen,
In whom, like beauty and grace, (gift of the gods,
From whence her blood derives,) her gathers, dear,
To her gentle bosom. Fridia shows King Belin,
From his gate's battled tower, wide-glittering field;
Naming the tribes and kins, whose shining arms
Are ordered seen, in many wain-girt camps:
And tells, how some in horses, some in chariots;
And who, firm-foot, to battle with broad glaive,
Excell, or spear, and shield. Other bear bows;
A few been slingers, herdfolk of Gaul's hills.
Lodge yonder warlike youth of island Gauls,
Britons, whose flesh is stained with swart-green woad:
Silures and Dumnonians, are their powers;
Iceni and Cantion men and Trinobants.
Are tribes of greater Gaul which lodge beyond,
Menapii; and they which dwell, where Rhine outflows,
Morini and Ambians, come with stout footbands.
Parisii then, and warlike Suessions.
Innumerable, upon Seine's further brinks,
Are camps and tilted wains, of great Gaul's warriors.
Armorici, shipmen they of boisterous seas,
Whose shields gleam with brass plate. Then Redones;
And Curiosolitans, whose march wide flood
Of Liger hems; where hallowed of all Gauls,
A great wood is, old seat of sacred druids.
Such gathering of armed nations was not seen,
Until this day, in fair Lutetian leas.
Britons, whose flesh is stained with swart-green woad:
Silures and Dumnonians, are their powers;
Iceni and Cantion men and Trinobants.
Are tribes of greater Gaul which lodge beyond,
Menapii; and they which dwell, where Rhine outflows,
Morini and Ambians, come with stout footbands.
Parisii then, and warlike Suessions.
Innumerable, upon Seine's further brinks,
Are camps and tilted wains, of great Gaul's warriors.
Armorici, shipmen they of boisterous seas,
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And Curiosolitans, whose march wide flood
Of Liger hems; where hallowed of all Gauls,
A great wood is, old seat of sacred druids.
Such gathering of armed nations was not seen,
Until this day, in fair Lutetian leas.
But when noised, that arrived was noble Brennus;
Their joyful clamour fills the cup of heaven.
Behold the germain kings, in Britain chariots;
To view the hosts with Fridia, now forthride;
She prophetess and the bright star of Almaigne!
Unto her, their haughty necks, as to a goddess,
Proud Gauls abase. Next day, the Northern powers,
From dawn till even, and tall Britons, pass;
By the long river's bridge, to Seine's left shore.
But much that townsfolk, looking on, admire
So goodly stature of the island youth.
And come what day duke Heremod should forth fare,
From Axiberg, at the Rhine, with Almain host;
Shall march this puissant army of the Gauls.
Their joyful clamour fills the cup of heaven.
Behold the germain kings, in Britain chariots;
To view the hosts with Fridia, now forthride;
She prophetess and the bright star of Almaigne!
Unto her, their haughty necks, as to a goddess,
Proud Gauls abase. Next day, the Northern powers,
From dawn till even, and tall Britons, pass;
By the long river's bridge, to Seine's left shore.
But much that townsfolk, looking on, admire
So goodly stature of the island youth.
And come what day duke Heremod should forth fare,
From Axiberg, at the Rhine, with Almain host;
Shall march this puissant army of the Gauls.
On mount of Mars Teutates,
his tribe's god,
King Belin offers solemn sacrifice.
But seen that martial smoke; Gaul's risen, with shout;
With blowing trumps, pass forth, in thick caterfs.
They, till high noon, with wains, outfare, and flocks.
Who kings then mount, and to their va'ward pass.
And sith in a large plain, lodge all Gauls' army,
Where water is; and daily thus they march.
And now, by Sens-on-Yonne, they pitch fourth camp:
Where Bellovaci and Meldi, and Caleti youth,
Be to them joined. King Belin there takes leave.
King Belin offers solemn sacrifice.
95
With blowing trumps, pass forth, in thick caterfs.
They, till high noon, with wains, outfare, and flocks.
Who kings then mount, and to their va'ward pass.
And sith in a large plain, lodge all Gauls' army,
Where water is; and daily thus they march.
And now, by Sens-on-Yonne, they pitch fourth camp:
Where Bellovaci and Meldi, and Caleti youth,
Be to them joined. King Belin there takes leave.
Thence to Alesia, Brennus' Gauls arrive,
Whereas great Héracles fought, is common faith;
And town there founded, which betwixt two floods,
Lutosa and Osera. But those rivers' gods,
Envying, whilst in their meads, the hero slumbered
Out the noon heat, herding the ravished beves,
Of the King monster, three-jowled Geryon,
(Whom, in Hesperian island, he had slain,
Erythia; and giant hird Eurytion,
With Orthrus his two-muselled hound,) withheld
Awhile, their crooked currents, and heaped up.
Then they down-loosed their surges, all at once.
Rusheth the flood, with fearful eddies, deep;
And, with great head, the neighbour brinks o'errides.
Whereas great Héracles fought, is common faith;
And town there founded, which betwixt two floods,
Lutosa and Osera. But those rivers' gods,
Envying, whilst in their meads, the hero slumbered
Out the noon heat, herding the ravished beves,
Of the King monster, three-jowled Geryon,
(Whom, in Hesperian island, he had slain,
Erythia; and giant hird Eurytion,
With Orthrus his two-muselled hound,) withheld
Awhile, their crooked currents, and heaped up.
Then they down-loosed their surges, all at once.
Rusheth the flood, with fearful eddies, deep;
And, with great head, the neighbour brinks o'errides.
Alcides starts, in hazel-thicks, from sleep:
Drowned is that field. In vain, his mighty hands
Grope feeble wicker wands, and rowan twigs.
Seed of Saturnian Jove, he, mortal, is
Borne down, in those two god's strong waters' race;
Tough tangle-weeds inextricably wrap,
Round his great limbs, about his divine neck;
And, immense, ruin on him beams of trees,
Poplars and alders. Great Alcides groaned,
To highest Jove, in that abysmal stound;
That might he escape, ah, so unworthy Death!
Straight heard him out of heaven, the Thunder God,
Who poiséd in his palm an hill; it whelmed
Upon those boisterous cataracts, above.
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Grope feeble wicker wands, and rowan twigs.
Seed of Saturnian Jove, he, mortal, is
Borne down, in those two god's strong waters' race;
Tough tangle-weeds inextricably wrap,
Round his great limbs, about his divine neck;
And, immense, ruin on him beams of trees,
Poplars and alders. Great Alcides groaned,
To highest Jove, in that abysmal stound;
That might he escape, ah, so unworthy Death!
Straight heard him out of heaven, the Thunder God,
Who poiséd in his palm an hill; it whelmed
Upon those boisterous cataracts, above.
To land, the divine hero leapt; and loosed
A shining river nymph's two gentle hands,
His slimy bonds; when had Alcides sworn,
Her save from vengeance of those watery gods,
And her receive to wife. At dawning red,
With the new spouse, then great Alcides passed,
Over those humbled streams, as on a bridge.
A shining river nymph's two gentle hands,
His slimy bonds; when had Alcides sworn,
Her save from vengeance of those watery gods,
And her receive to wife. At dawning red,
With the new spouse, then great Alcides passed,
Over those humbled streams, as on a bridge.
There, on Gaul's host, came impulse of the gods,
So that, ere day, uprisen, with a vast noise,
Of blowing trumps and battle-shout, they march.
So that, ere day, uprisen, with a vast noise,
Of blowing trumps and battle-shout, they march.
Now marching Almains with duke Heremod,
Are come, from Axiberg strand, with favouring gods,
In the self tide, to swart Hercynian wood,
And lodge, where Ister springs, from two clear wells.
Brennus, to Heremod, sends then Sénones lords;
To convey the armed youth of warlike Almains,
And without hostile fear, through parts of Gaul.
Then certain days, he waits, in standing camps,
His brother's coming, oathfast Heremod.
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In the self tide, to swart Hercynian wood,
And lodge, where Ister springs, from two clear wells.
Brennus, to Heremod, sends then Sénones lords;
To convey the armed youth of warlike Almains,
And without hostile fear, through parts of Gaul.
Then certain days, he waits, in standing camps,
His brother's coming, oathfast Heremod.
Pass nights and days; and, after this, tall Almains
Arrive; lo, marching, like thick wood of spears.
Conjoin the brethren kings then, their armed powers,
Banner to banner, kindreds with caterfs,
Done sacrifice, at dawn, to battle gods,
They all, with immense warlike voice, remove.
So dust rose to high heaven, and quaked earth's mould,
That wondered, in their rests, the blesséd gods!
In cragged uplands sith, those gin ascend,
By Arar's flood; where wait Allobriges,
The coming of warfaring Sénones Gauls,
Shall their armed youth march with the hero Brennus.
Halt Belges' armies then, in league-wide camps.
Arrive; lo, marching, like thick wood of spears.
Conjoin the brethren kings then, their armed powers,
Banner to banner, kindreds with caterfs,
Done sacrifice, at dawn, to battle gods,
They all, with immense warlike voice, remove.
So dust rose to high heaven, and quaked earth's mould,
That wondered, in their rests, the blesséd gods!
In cragged uplands sith, those gin ascend,
By Arar's flood; where wait Allobriges,
The coming of warfaring Sénones Gauls,
Shall their armed youth march with the hero Brennus.
Halt Belges' armies then, in league-wide camps.
There, to the kings, arrived men, embassage,
Of the five lordships of Helvetian Gauls;
Which, to the war, would fare, with glorious Brennus.
These show, come to the council-tent of Brennus,
How soil, of all the Earth, most fruitful fair;
Which gods have, under heaven's wide bent, spread forth,
Italia lies, past yond towered mighty Alps;
Wherethrough, and seem they walled-up to high stars,
Found passages, had, armed youth of Gauls o'erpassed,
In their sires' age; and conquered wealthful seats.
Swart Vara and Caturix, war-dukes, with the Gauls,
In arms, and princes both of stout Ligurians;
Confirm, with many words, Helvetians' read.
Of the five lordships of Helvetian Gauls;
Which, to the war, would fare, with glorious Brennus.
These show, come to the council-tent of Brennus,
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Which gods have, under heaven's wide bent, spread forth,
Italia lies, past yond towered mighty Alps;
Wherethrough, and seem they walled-up to high stars,
Found passages, had, armed youth of Gauls o'erpassed,
In their sires' age; and conquered wealthful seats.
Swart Vara and Caturix, war-dukes, with the Gauls,
In arms, and princes both of stout Ligurians;
Confirm, with many words, Helvetians' read.
Consult, concerning Sénones further march,
The dukes, three days, whilst rain and lightnings cast
Down, on their mingled hosts, some stormy gods.
The goddess Nertha, the third night, vouchsafed,
To Fridia, priestess, show, how destiny is,
Should Brennus, past high Alps, and Heremod,
A soil subdue. When the fourth sun is risen,
And captains wend to council, lo, with Brennus,
Comes Fridia; in whose bright countenance, lords behold,
This morn, new radiance of the Mother goddess.
The dukes, three days, whilst rain and lightnings cast
Down, on their mingled hosts, some stormy gods.
The goddess Nertha, the third night, vouchsafed,
To Fridia, priestess, show, how destiny is,
Should Brennus, past high Alps, and Heremod,
A soil subdue. When the fourth sun is risen,
And captains wend to council, lo, with Brennus,
Comes Fridia; in whose bright countenance, lords behold,
This morn, new radiance of the Mother goddess.
How rise, at her approach, Gauls' chief estates!
And kings do wait on her prophetic lips;
Perceiving she would speak. Then, with clear voice,
Like to the silver accords of an harp,
Toucht of a master hand, the queen tells forth,
Before the kings, her vision of this night.
The hearts of all, to words of Fridia's mouth,
Consent. Heralds gone forth, of both the armies;
They blaze, in the two tongues, through both the camps,
Queen Fridia's word, as message from their gods.
Immense then, confused, cry of multitude,
Whose voice fills all these shores. The mingled hosts,
Uprisen, then gin remove. Gives licence Brennus,
Unto all who will, towards Spain; this river pass.
And kings do wait on her prophetic lips;
Perceiving she would speak. Then, with clear voice,
Like to the silver accords of an harp,
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Before the kings, her vision of this night.
The hearts of all, to words of Fridia's mouth,
Consent. Heralds gone forth, of both the armies;
They blaze, in the two tongues, through both the camps,
Queen Fridia's word, as message from their gods.
Immense then, confused, cry of multitude,
Whose voice fills all these shores. The mingled hosts,
Uprisen, then gin remove. Gives licence Brennus,
Unto all who will, towards Spain; this river pass.
Seven thousand are, whom covetise, sickness, or
Faint hearts, persuade to that more easy path,
All day, rife mingled companies overwade.
Sith when now fallen the night, were kindled fires,
To give them light; and horse of the trimarch,
Do station in the stream, to break above,
The water's force. A captain gives them Brennus,
For his old wounds, unapt the Alps to pass,
Valorous Cumael, to lead them into Spain.
Then long farewells, then many a shouted charge,
From the two opposed brinks; when, on each shore,
Are offered bulls, in whose blind bowels, read druids,
Heaven's message; and how in this warfare is
Now manifest the good will of all Gauls' gods.
Faint hearts, persuade to that more easy path,
All day, rife mingled companies overwade.
Sith when now fallen the night, were kindled fires,
To give them light; and horse of the trimarch,
Do station in the stream, to break above,
The water's force. A captain gives them Brennus,
For his old wounds, unapt the Alps to pass,
Valorous Cumael, to lead them into Spain.
Then long farewells, then many a shouted charge,
From the two opposed brinks; when, on each shore,
Are offered bulls, in whose blind bowels, read druids,
Heaven's message; and how in this warfare is
Now manifest the good will of all Gauls' gods.
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To sacred Tolósa, lo, assembled, armed,
Much Tectosages' youth, are of South Gauls;
Where fane, hereafter far-renowned, is seen,
(For therein laid-up spoils of Brennus' wars.)
When now they hear, how Eastward marched King Brennus,
Those warriors, swift-foot noble Vellorix, choose,
Their captain. Journey then those warlike swarms:
And hasting, after many days, arrived;
Cevenna mounts, and swimming with their arms,
Cold currents of swift Rhodanus, they pass.
Much Tectosages' youth, are of South Gauls;
Where fane, hereafter far-renowned, is seen,
(For therein laid-up spoils of Brennus' wars.)
When now they hear, how Eastward marched King Brennus,
Those warriors, swift-foot noble Vellorix, choose,
Their captain. Journey then those warlike swarms:
And hasting, after many days, arrived;
Cevenna mounts, and swimming with their arms,
Cold currents of swift Rhodanus, they pass.
But when they come up, dripping, from that bank;
There fell out on them, from nigh tamarisk thicks,
Whence soar birds forth, (sign, there, of ambushment!)
Strange helm-clad wights: being Gauls, like Greek men, armed,
Helvians, allies of Greek Massilia.
Being taken thus, at advantage, and unawares,
Lose valorous Tectosages ground; whose arms
Unapt pierce Helvians' hauberks' tempered bronze.
Stooped, angry, Vellorix, on Rhone's streaming brinks;
Gross pebble-stone, the hero's hand up-caught,
At laurer-rose bush root. With immense force,
He it hurled; and smote of foes' tall opposed duke,
The helméd front: like thunder-felléd oak,
This rushed, upon his face, his brain-pan broke.
There fell out on them, from nigh tamarisk thicks,
Whence soar birds forth, (sign, there, of ambushment!)
Strange helm-clad wights: being Gauls, like Greek men, armed,
Helvians, allies of Greek Massilia.
Being taken thus, at advantage, and unawares,
Lose valorous Tectosages ground; whose arms
Unapt pierce Helvians' hauberks' tempered bronze.
Stooped, angry, Vellorix, on Rhone's streaming brinks;
Gross pebble-stone, the hero's hand up-caught,
At laurer-rose bush root. With immense force,
He it hurled; and smote of foes' tall opposed duke,
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This rushed, upon his face, his brain-pan broke.
Then draw, that treacherous Helvian folk, back foot;
(So quail made Vellorix' shout their craven hearts,)
And sith recoil, before his dreadful looks:
And spoiled, exulting, Tectosages' duke,
The corse: with raging glaive, then battle-path,
Before him hews, up from that river's brink,
Mongst hostile spears. Fast follow his young warriors,
As wolves, in fight; they, likewise, wild crag stones,
Gainst which avails not fence of plated bronze,
Do furious, running, hurl on Helvians!
Whose bones are broken in their bruiséd harness.
And Rhodanus laps blood of the wide wounds,
Of them that fall. Awhile, then battle ceased,
Though won that strand; for fails day's cheerful light,
Already; and path lies forth, thence, by dim forest.
With arms yet in their hands, they rest and eat.
But when the moon gins lift, as lamp, her face;
Hark Tectosages, how on Artemis call
Their Greekish enemies: lo, whose silver horns
Begin eclipse! Straight Helvians flee, with noise:
And Tectosages risen, with dreadful yells,
Pursue their enemies to the dim night woods.
(So quail made Vellorix' shout their craven hearts,)
And sith recoil, before his dreadful looks:
And spoiled, exulting, Tectosages' duke,
The corse: with raging glaive, then battle-path,
Before him hews, up from that river's brink,
Mongst hostile spears. Fast follow his young warriors,
As wolves, in fight; they, likewise, wild crag stones,
Gainst which avails not fence of plated bronze,
Do furious, running, hurl on Helvians!
Whose bones are broken in their bruiséd harness.
And Rhodanus laps blood of the wide wounds,
Of them that fall. Awhile, then battle ceased,
Though won that strand; for fails day's cheerful light,
Already; and path lies forth, thence, by dim forest.
With arms yet in their hands, they rest and eat.
But when the moon gins lift, as lamp, her face;
Hark Tectosages, how on Artemis call
Their Greekish enemies: lo, whose silver horns
Begin eclipse! Straight Helvians flee, with noise:
And Tectosages risen, with dreadful yells,
Pursue their enemies to the dim night woods.
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Those Gauls, at day, with Vellorix, spoiled the dead,
Do take on plate and helms of their slain foes:
So march till noon; when in that brazen rind,
Feeling now sore encumbered their lithe limbs,
They, mocking, cast again the Phocian harness.
Sith by wild paths, they hold and uplands rough;
And after many camps, Isara's flood,
They passed, o'ertake great journeying host of Brennus.
Do take on plate and helms of their slain foes:
So march till noon; when in that brazen rind,
Feeling now sore encumbered their lithe limbs,
They, mocking, cast again the Phocian harness.
Sith by wild paths, they hold and uplands rough;
And after many camps, Isara's flood,
They passed, o'ertake great journeying host of Brennus.
With mighty voice, Gauls' mingled nations march.
Are rocky steeps, as stairs, up from the earth,
Where now they mount: but soon, for the wheeled wains,
There lacketh trode. Then Fridia erst commanded
Her waggoners, hurl from cliff, her painted cart.
Rose much dread din! of tumbling tilted carts,
Then; for do all as Fridia prophetess.
The Gauls, armed travaillous nations, now ascend,
Like to seed-gathering emmots, in long paths.
Are rocky steeps, as stairs, up from the earth,
Where now they mount: but soon, for the wheeled wains,
There lacketh trode. Then Fridia erst commanded
Her waggoners, hurl from cliff, her painted cart.
Rose much dread din! of tumbling tilted carts,
Then; for do all as Fridia prophetess.
The Gauls, armed travaillous nations, now ascend,
Like to seed-gathering emmots, in long paths.
Now eve, at trumpet's sound, they halt and lodge,
Whereas they stand in many a perilous place;
And dreads their soul to slide, in sleep, to fall,
To rock's deep ground; till day uneasy breaks.
Then cry aloud, in both tongues, the king's heralds,
They set twixt band and band, a furlong's space;
With a large mile, betwixt their greater hosts;
That they not justle in the mountain-paths.
Whereas they stand in many a perilous place;
And dreads their soul to slide, in sleep, to fall,
To rock's deep ground; till day uneasy breaks.
Then cry aloud, in both tongues, the king's heralds,
They set twixt band and band, a furlong's space;
103
That they not justle in the mountain-paths.
The cold Rhipæan hills, they now ascend.
Beat thick all hearts, as who to battle march.
They scale this day yond brows, yond lifted towers,
That lean to heaven. Poor wights bear all their stuff;
Women their little ones, upon their necks.
Who freeborn men, lay charge upon their thralls,
Of corn and cloth. See where tall Britons march!
Some bearing, on their shoulders, unknit chariots,
Wheels, axetrees, beams. Have men of the trimarch,
Much ado, lead their warlike island steeds.
From ridges of vast Alps, the cloudy gods,
As from some temple-roof, behold the Gauls.
Beat thick all hearts, as who to battle march.
They scale this day yond brows, yond lifted towers,
That lean to heaven. Poor wights bear all their stuff;
Women their little ones, upon their necks.
Who freeborn men, lay charge upon their thralls,
Of corn and cloth. See where tall Britons march!
Some bearing, on their shoulders, unknit chariots,
Wheels, axetrees, beams. Have men of the trimarch,
Much ado, lead their warlike island steeds.
From ridges of vast Alps, the cloudy gods,
As from some temple-roof, behold the Gauls.
Gauls of the hills, long-haired Caturiges,
At each league's end, have station in the path,
Which they, with beams uphold, and boughs and ropes.
Go up the Gauls in mighty shadows, cold;
Where trembles the air, with drone of waterfalls;
And sinks, upon their sense, crude mizzling reek.
From darksome pines, they mount to snow-fleckt crags,
Whence solemn mountain spires soar, and pierce heaven,
Land, where is only frost of living blood;
Wherethrough avails not mortal force to pass,
Without the gods. Admonished of the goddess,
Bids Fridia sound then trump, from host to host,
That the trains halt. Hark, eftsoons, lofty sound,
Beyond who foremost march! and fail men's hearts.
At each league's end, have station in the path,
Which they, with beams uphold, and boughs and ropes.
Go up the Gauls in mighty shadows, cold;
Where trembles the air, with drone of waterfalls;
And sinks, upon their sense, crude mizzling reek.
From darksome pines, they mount to snow-fleckt crags,
Whence solemn mountain spires soar, and pierce heaven,
104
Wherethrough avails not mortal force to pass,
Without the gods. Admonished of the goddess,
Bids Fridia sound then trump, from host to host,
That the trains halt. Hark, eftsoons, lofty sound,
Beyond who foremost march! and fail men's hearts.
Loud rumbling ruin roars from mountain towers;
A flood down-rolls, in aweful smoke, of frost,
Which loost, Caturiges say, the South wind's breath;
O'erwhelming all before the people's face.
The hand it turns aside of Nertha goddess!
Who where piled hills on hills, like mighty erne,
Hovers unseen, o'er Brennus' mingled armies.
A flood down-rolls, in aweful smoke, of frost,
Which loost, Caturiges say, the South wind's breath;
O'erwhelming all before the people's face.
The hand it turns aside of Nertha goddess!
Who where piled hills on hills, like mighty erne,
Hovers unseen, o'er Brennus' mingled armies.
Much labour delve new way Caturiges;
Whereby again might Brennus' armies pass;
That follow, like as shipmen their lode star,
The glittering helm, which aye upmounts, of Fridia,
Who rides on that Asturian peerless steed.
Last lifting lowering hoary mists, above;
High valley-plain, untrodden snow appears;
Where, (door of the vast mounts,) lo, temple house,
Upwalled, of mighty stones, thatcht with wild flags,
To stormy godhead of these frozen Alps.
Reverent, approach thereto, kings, priests and druids:
That enter, shattering spear-long icicles.
Therein found, swept the floor, is altar stone,
Long wanting fire, nor stained with victims' blood:
Whereon, their hands laid, Brennus, Heremod,
Promise the god, that will unto him Gauls,
In Italy, burn the first prey of their arms,
Hundred white bulls. Then great earth-mother Nertha,
Revealed, as whisper in the air, to Fridia,
That save, by ransom blood, of two men's lives,
Gauls, Almains, brother-nations, might not pass!
She, prophetess, changed then hew and countenance,
So faints her heart for Heremod and loved Brennus.
Whereby again might Brennus' armies pass;
That follow, like as shipmen their lode star,
The glittering helm, which aye upmounts, of Fridia,
Who rides on that Asturian peerless steed.
Last lifting lowering hoary mists, above;
High valley-plain, untrodden snow appears;
Where, (door of the vast mounts,) lo, temple house,
Upwalled, of mighty stones, thatcht with wild flags,
To stormy godhead of these frozen Alps.
Reverent, approach thereto, kings, priests and druids:
105
Therein found, swept the floor, is altar stone,
Long wanting fire, nor stained with victims' blood:
Whereon, their hands laid, Brennus, Heremod,
Promise the god, that will unto him Gauls,
In Italy, burn the first prey of their arms,
Hundred white bulls. Then great earth-mother Nertha,
Revealed, as whisper in the air, to Fridia,
That save, by ransom blood, of two men's lives,
Gauls, Almains, brother-nations, might not pass!
She, prophetess, changed then hew and countenance,
So faints her heart for Heremod and loved Brennus.
Loud, sudden thunder round about them roars!
Wherein queen Fridia, loved of the earth goddess,
The god's will murmurs, trembling prophetess!
But Runyan, stedfastly, Fridia's lips beholding,
(Priest of Tanfana's fane, in far North Almaigne,)
It reads; with great voice then declares, to Gauls!
Whose words being heard of them that stand without,
Is presently unto door of the god's house,
Of noble young men, a great vehement press,
All greedy of glory; and to give their lives' blood,
For Gauls' great army, to that mountain-god.
Howbeit, with them, their brethren much contended,
That they do no such thing: hang wailing women,
Upon their necks. Lo, in this midst, white druids
Prepare the sacred lots. Who erst theirs cast,
Were the two dukes, great Heremod and King Brennus.
Then heads of kindreds, captains, lords of tribes.
At end, when cast were all men's lots, till eve,
Are taken two young men; this one Briton Paith,
That Engelfried, son to rich lord in Almaigne.
Wherein queen Fridia, loved of the earth goddess,
The god's will murmurs, trembling prophetess!
But Runyan, stedfastly, Fridia's lips beholding,
(Priest of Tanfana's fane, in far North Almaigne,)
It reads; with great voice then declares, to Gauls!
Whose words being heard of them that stand without,
Is presently unto door of the god's house,
Of noble young men, a great vehement press,
All greedy of glory; and to give their lives' blood,
For Gauls' great army, to that mountain-god.
Howbeit, with them, their brethren much contended,
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Upon their necks. Lo, in this midst, white druids
Prepare the sacred lots. Who erst theirs cast,
Were the two dukes, great Heremod and King Brennus.
Then heads of kindreds, captains, lords of tribes.
At end, when cast were all men's lots, till eve,
Are taken two young men; this one Briton Paith,
That Engelfried, son to rich lord in Almaigne.
Now stoops the sun, and dies day's cheerful light.
When stars tread forth, intone this two-tongued folk,
Standing with firebrands, hymns of sacrifice,
Mongst the cold Alps: rebellow whose bleak cliffs'
White flinty bosoms, world's unwonted voice.
When stars tread forth, intone this two-tongued folk,
Standing with firebrands, hymns of sacrifice,
Mongst the cold Alps: rebellow whose bleak cliffs'
White flinty bosoms, world's unwonted voice.
Spoiled, the two young men, to their girdle-steads,
(Whose swan-breasts like to ivory images,
Of graven gods!) stand proudly, and do outstretch,
O'er the altar's stone, their necks. Behold then priests,
Carve, with sharp knives of flint, his and his gorge!
Darkened their sense, both loosing blood and breath;
The victims fall; and falling seemed embrace;
Their faces dead, turned towards Italia.
(Whose swan-breasts like to ivory images,
Of graven gods!) stand proudly, and do outstretch,
O'er the altar's stone, their necks. Behold then priests,
Carve, with sharp knives of flint, his and his gorge!
Darkened their sense, both loosing blood and breath;
The victims fall; and falling seemed embrace;
Their faces dead, turned towards Italia.
Who princes, for more honour, in their arms,
Bear forth the sacred corses; and appeased
Being now all storm, and when have supped the Gauls;
They gathering stones devoutly, in bleak moonlight,
Twain narrow bed-coves do upwall around,
Joined, o'er those sacred dead. Sith all the host,
Heaping ten thousand stones, in one great mound,
Them close. Hark, three times then, through Gaul's great army,
Men call, on height, their ever-glorious names!
So last, to their eternal sleep, them leave.
Shall henceforth every passenger heap his stone,
Thereon, for monument, in long age, to come.
Beneath then hoary stars, the army slumbers.
Bear forth the sacred corses; and appeased
107
They gathering stones devoutly, in bleak moonlight,
Twain narrow bed-coves do upwall around,
Joined, o'er those sacred dead. Sith all the host,
Heaping ten thousand stones, in one great mound,
Them close. Hark, three times then, through Gaul's great army,
Men call, on height, their ever-glorious names!
So last, to their eternal sleep, them leave.
Shall henceforth every passenger heap his stone,
Thereon, for monument, in long age, to come.
Beneath then hoary stars, the army slumbers.
At rising sun, which shines on twain white peaks,
Loud cry out all the army, with one voice,
Naming those two bergs Engelfried and Paith.
When all hearts now impatient to remove,
The captains' hoarse iron trumpets heard are sound,
The sign to march! Rejoice then weary Gauls,
Feeling dismount their feet. Past noon, his scouts
Renounce to Brennus; how, in certain strait,
Before them closed with breastwork, is beset,
Their path. Then he, from troop to troop, blow halt,
Commands. When counsel taken have the dukes,
With Heremod, sallies swiftfoot Vellorix;
Leading out thousand armed, of the most valiant.
Them guide forth, where most tickle is the tread,
Mongst frosty steeps, hill-wont Caturiges.
Loud cry out all the army, with one voice,
Naming those two bergs Engelfried and Paith.
When all hearts now impatient to remove,
The captains' hoarse iron trumpets heard are sound,
The sign to march! Rejoice then weary Gauls,
Feeling dismount their feet. Past noon, his scouts
Renounce to Brennus; how, in certain strait,
Before them closed with breastwork, is beset,
Their path. Then he, from troop to troop, blow halt,
Commands. When counsel taken have the dukes,
With Heremod, sallies swiftfoot Vellorix;
Leading out thousand armed, of the most valiant.
108
Mongst frosty steeps, hill-wont Caturiges.
Far ways about, till set of sun, those lead.
But rising the low moon, with golden crest;
They suddenly issue, at their enemies' backs!
Then those, upstanding, had confusedly fled,
Were not some called Caturiges, by their names;
Crying, that proffers truce the Gauls' King Brennus.
Then those, which Salassi are, of an hill-tribe,
Heremod receive. Sith all, with plighted hands,
And each, invoked their gods, make fair accord,
Calling the moon to witness of their troth.
Ask Salassi only, that Transalpine Gauls
Not vex their people's coast, by armed inroads.
Now are Salassi, whose eldfathers Alps had passed,
In former age, of kindred with the Gauls.
But rising the low moon, with golden crest;
They suddenly issue, at their enemies' backs!
Then those, upstanding, had confusedly fled,
Were not some called Caturiges, by their names;
Crying, that proffers truce the Gauls' King Brennus.
Then those, which Salassi are, of an hill-tribe,
Heremod receive. Sith all, with plighted hands,
And each, invoked their gods, make fair accord,
Calling the moon to witness of their troth.
Ask Salassi only, that Transalpine Gauls
Not vex their people's coast, by armed inroads.
Now are Salassi, whose eldfathers Alps had passed,
In former age, of kindred with the Gauls.
Then warrior, warrior; duke leads duke, to sup,
At mountain hearths of the sweet-smelling pine,
They sitting down, together, venison eat;
These hills great horned wild buck: and they have baked
Sweet chesten pulse, for bread. Then warlike Gauls,
Italia's ruddy wine, in leathern sacks,
Erst drink, blood of the earth. Salassi admire,
These strangers mighty brawns and their large breasts!
At mountain hearths of the sweet-smelling pine,
They sitting down, together, venison eat;
These hills great horned wild buck: and they have baked
Sweet chesten pulse, for bread. Then warlike Gauls,
Italia's ruddy wine, in leathern sacks,
Erst drink, blood of the earth. Salassi admire,
These strangers mighty brawns and their large breasts!
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