The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd Centenary Edition. With a Memoir of the Author, by the Rev. Thomas Thomson ... Poems and Life. With Many Illustrative Engravings [by James Hogg] |
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 | The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd |  |
For, like the willow in the wind,
The conqueror's plume began to bow,
And nod and totter to and fro;
Then back he stagger'd on the field,
Low bending o'er his sword and shield;
And ere his panting breath was gone,
He reach'd the rail and lean'd thereon;
Then hands were stretch'd (why should they not?)
That loosed his gorget from his throat;
His helm and corslet they untie,
And all his belted panoply;
And though no mortal wound they saw,
The blood oozed through at every flaw.
The following short translation from an ancient Runic ode, was handed me by a correspondent, as probably relating to the death of this northern hero:—
“Before Berigholmi did we fight with swords. We held bloody shields, and well-stained spears. Thick around the shores lay the scattered dead. There saw I thousands lie dead by the ships. We sailed seven days to the battle in which our army fell.
“We fought again; and then the bow uttered a twanging sound, sending forth tempests of glittering steel. It was at the time of the evening the foe was compelled to fly. The King of Erin did not act the part of the eagle—he fell by the bay. He was given for a feast to the ravens. A great storm descended. O ye sons of the fallen warriors! who among you shall tell of the issue of that dreadful day? The gods were angry, and before their vengeance who shall stand? There Eric fell, than whom there was no greater king. The sword dropped from his hand—the lofty helmet was laid low—the birds of prey bewailed him who prepared their banquets.”
| The Works of The Ettrick Shepherd | |