 | Contributions to a Ballad History of England and the States Sprung from Her |  |
15
THE FALL OF HARALD HARDRADA.
1066.
Hear the fame of Harald the strife-lover!
Hear the fall of Harald of the fair hair!
Hear the fall of Harald of the fair hair!
In his hall the son of Sigurd feasted;
On the benches lay and drank his war-men.
On the benches lay and drank his war-men.
On the hall-hearth redly blazed the pine logs;
Fast the horns went round, with ale white-foaming.
Fast the horns went round, with ale white-foaming.
Then sang Snorr, the Scald, the Rune-compeller,
The fierce Norse hearts joying with his sagas.
The fierce Norse hearts joying with his sagas.
Through his chant was heard the clash of war-ships,
Clang of shields and helms, and shricks of slaughter.
Clang of shields and helms, and shricks of slaughter.
For he told the war-deeds of Hardrada,
Told the deeds of Harald the helm-cleaver.
Told the deeds of Harald the helm-cleaver.
“Fiercely forth to ocean sweep his war-ships,
“Sweep his dragons forth, his fierce sea-roamers.
“Sweep his dragons forth, his fierce sea-roamers.
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“Halland sees, aghast, his gleaming war-shields;
“Valland glares with red fires of his kindling.
“Valland glares with red fires of his kindling.
“Well Northumbria knows his axe-men's war-play;
“White-lipped Mercia shrieks before his war-cry.
“White-lipped Mercia shrieks before his war-cry.
“Erin's widows wail his stormful coming;
“Bretland's maids remember well the Viking.
“Bretland's maids remember well the Viking.
“Hungered are ye, kites, ye yellow-footed?
“Follow far his steeds, his ocean-riders!
“Follow far his steeds, his ocean-riders!
“Norrasund's blue straits his swift keels furrow;
“Serkland's spoils sink deep his sea-kissed gunwales.
“Serkland's spoils sink deep his sea-kissed gunwales.
“Jorsalaland greets the mailèd Norsemen;
“Loud the Greekland's city greets the Varing.
“Loud the Greekland's city greets the Varing.
“Home return his gilt-beaked barks, deep-laden,
“Laden deep with treasures, battle-gather'd.
“Laden deep with treasures, battle-gather'd.
“Jarl and Bonder hail the King returning,
“Joyful throne the sainted Olaf's brother.
“Joyful throne the sainted Olaf's brother.
“Let the Danes' land well its green coasts buckler,
“Shield its shore-towns well from Harald's Norsemen!
“Shield its shore-towns well from Harald's Norsemen!
“White in ashes lie green Jutland's homesteads;
“Swend, the Danes' king, shields not smoking Fyen.
“Swend, the Danes' king, shields not smoking Fyen.
“Hela's ravening maw, so well who gorges,
“Joys so well the Dread ones, the Slain-choosers?
“Joys so well the Dread ones, the Slain-choosers?
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“Grim the gory sword-strife at Nisaa;
“Sixty war-ships Swend lost in the sword-game.
“Sixty war-ships Swend lost in the sword-game.
“Why no more flaps death the dread Landeya,
“Harald's flag, the dreaded far Land-waster?
“Harald's flag, the dreaded far Land-waster?
“Why no more heaps he the feast of ravens,
“Sigurdson, the stern, the gaunt wolf-gorger?”
“Sigurdson, the stern, the gaunt wolf-gorger?”
Then up through the hall, stern strode Earl Tosti;
Fierce he strode, the wrathful son of Godwin.
Fierce he strode, the wrathful son of Godwin.
And he spoke, “O King, the White Isle greets you;
“Knut's throne longs to hold the son of Sigurd.
“Knut's throne longs to hold the son of Sigurd.
“Curses on the crafty son of Godwin,
“He upon the throne of Edward seated!
“He upon the throne of Edward seated!
“Curses deep on him, born of my mother!
“Who withstood me, Tosti, in my Earl-rights!
“Who withstood me, Tosti, in my Earl-rights!
“Not for long shall he escape my vengeance;
“Many they who soon shall cry my war-cry.
“Many they who soon shall cry my war-cry.
“Burgh, and thorpe, and grange, and tower are ready;
“Thane and thrall shall muster to my coming.
“Thane and thrall shall muster to my coming.
“King, send forth thy message through thy Norsemen!
“London soon shall throne thee in its Minster.
“London soon shall throne thee in its Minster.
“Grasp the great sway held by Knut the mighty!
“So, with his, thy glory shall be mated.”
“So, with his, thy glory shall be mated.”
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Ceased the Earl, and loud round through the court-men,
Hoarsely rolled approval of his counsel.
Hoarsely rolled approval of his counsel.
But the King sat silent in his high-seat,
And on all the Earl spoke, much he pondered.
And on all the Earl spoke, much he pondered.
Then arose the storm of song, fierce-chanted,
Snorr's, the Scald's, song, sweeping all hearts warwards.
Snorr's, the Scald's, song, sweeping all hearts warwards.
“Launch the serpents! launch the gold-maned dragons!
“Let their long keels cleave again the billows!
“Let their long keels cleave again the billows!
“Let their dark sails hold again the storm-winds!
“Let their tall masts creak before the tempests!
“Let their tall masts creak before the tempests!
“Let the sun glow red upon their shield-rows,
“On their steel scales ranked along their bulwarks!
“On their steel scales ranked along their bulwarks!
“Swift, with strong-armed stroke, we sweep the ocean;
“Swift our long oars smite the foam-maned billows.
“Swift our long oars smite the foam-maned billows.
“Grey rise England's surf-swept cliffs to landwards;
“Green her fields, and black her ports rise shorewards.
“Green her fields, and black her ports rise shorewards.
“Deep our furrows cut the rushy Humber;
“Dark our anchors cleave the Ouse's tideway.
“Dark our anchors cleave the Ouse's tideway.
“Why so near to Yule-tide flash the Bael-fires?
“Fast the beacons flame afar our coming.
“Fast the beacons flame afar our coming.
“Why do thane and thrall snatch down their war-gear?
“Fast from forest, moor, and dale, they muster.
“Fast from forest, moor, and dale, they muster.
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“Fast the thickening tide of war rolls onwards;
“Fast the war-ranks pour towards the foemen.
“Fast the war-ranks pour towards the foemen.
“Well may Jovick's Earls their war-men gather!
“Sore shall wall and tall tower need their bowmen!
“Sore shall wall and tall tower need their bowmen!
“For he comes whose war-deeds scalds are chanting,
“He, the shield-ring-breaker in the war-fray.
“He, the shield-ring-breaker in the war-fray.
“Through the sleet of hissing arrows stalks he,
“Where the death-sparks leap from helms deep-cloven.
“Where the death-sparks leap from helms deep-cloven.
“War-cries, and the shrill-tongued yells of slaughter
“Shriek the conquering war-way of Hardrada.”
“Shriek the conquering war-way of Hardrada.”
So sang Snorr, the Scald, and, to his singing,
Fiercely throbbed the war-men's hearts around him.
Fiercely throbbed the war-men's hearts around him.
And around, the bearded court-men rising,
Clashed their liking of the stormy scald-song.
Clashed their liking of the stormy scald-song.
Then the rage of battle seized Hardrada,
The Berserker thirsting for the onset.
The Berserker thirsting for the onset.
And his faith he plighted to Earl Tosti,
And his word sped forth through shore and upland.
And his word sped forth through shore and upland.
Fast his host have gathered; through the tempest,
Fast his dragons steers he towards the slaughter.
Fast his dragons steers he towards the slaughter.
Scarborough is red with blood of foemen;
From the Ouse, the Earls have fled before him.
From the Ouse, the Earls have fled before him.
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Fear is on the thanes and men of Jovick,
And their troth they plight it shall be rendered.
And their troth they plight it shall be rendered.
But on high in heaven, the great All-father
Wills to welcome to his halls the heroes.
Wills to welcome to his halls the heroes.
Straightway earthwards stoop the dread slain-choosers,
Sigurd's son to summon unto Odin.
Sigurd's son to summon unto Odin.
Bright the beams of morning flash from seawards;
Hot on helm and shield and spear they glisten.
Hot on helm and shield and spear they glisten.
But no arrow-sleet, death-dealing, dread they;
Mail nor hauberk deem they that they're needing.
Mail nor hauberk deem they that they're needing.
Mailless stride they through the sultry noon-tide,
Blithe with thought of red gold won for ransom.
Blithe with thought of red gold won for ransom.
Hoarse on high, the raven croaks above them,
And the gaunt wolf leaps towards the slaughter.
And the gaunt wolf leaps towards the slaughter.
High above the gilt helms of his court-men,
Towers King Harald, forging runes of glory.
Towers King Harald, forging runes of glory.
What afar is bright through dust-clouds gleaming?
Who in arms come thus, the town, to render?
Who in arms come thus, the town, to render?
Is it peace or is it war gleams towards them?
Ere the night, the crow shall full be feasted.
Ere the night, the crow shall full be feasted.
Harold comes; comes fast the son of Godwin;
To the war-game, rolls the might of England.
To the war-game, rolls the might of England.
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Soon on shields and helms shall swords be ringing;
Soon the axe shall reap the iron war-field.
Soon the axe shall reap the iron war-field.
King of men, he comes his land to buckler,
Godwin's son, the strong in war and council.
Godwin's son, the strong in war and council.
Not for sloth did thane and burgher choose him,
Throne him king on high in London's Minster.
Throne him king on high in London's Minster.
Not for coward ease did saintly Stigand
Pour upon his head the oil of kingship.
Pour upon his head the oil of kingship.
Wise to think for, strong to lead his people,
Comes he, as when Gryffith fell before him.
Comes he, as when Gryffith fell before him.
Range the heroes' benches in Valhalla;
Brim, with foaming ale and mead, the skull-cups.
Brim, with foaming ale and mead, the skull-cups.
On his black steed leaps the fierce Hardrada;
Round his charger crowd his Earls to council.
Round his charger crowd his Earls to council.
“Counsel give me, Tosti. Ye, my court-men,
“Rede me counsel; counsel good is needed.”
“Rede me counsel; counsel good is needed.”
Speaks grim Tosti, “Mailless shall we meet them?
“To our ships, well were it that we hied us.
“To our ships, well were it that we hied us.
“There is choice to sail or there to bide them;
“Swift does conquest dog my brother's war-way.”
“Swift does conquest dog my brother's war-way.”
Speaks Hardrada, “Better is my counsel;
“Summon from our ships, in arms, my bonders.
“Summon from our ships, in arms, my bonders.
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“On our swiftest horses speed our message;
“Hard shall be the fray before we lose it.
“Hard shall be the fray before we lose it.
“To the breezes, Frirek, give my banner;
“Ring my ranks beneath my dread Land-waster.
“Ring my ranks beneath my dread Land-waster.
“Round my Raven-Standard, sound my war-horns,
“Blaring through its folds the din of onset.
“Blaring through its folds the din of onset.
“Man to man, around it link the shield-ring;
“Plant the spear-rows sharp against the horsemen.”
“Plant the spear-rows sharp against the horsemen.”
Rides around his ranks the King of Norway;
Falls his horse; quoth he, “A fall is lucky.”
Falls his horse; quoth he, “A fall is lucky.”
“Who fell? blue his kirtle; gilt his helmet.”
“Norway's king is he, O son of Godwin.”
“Norway's king is he, O son of Godwin.”
“Stately is he; kingly looks the hero;
“But methinks full sure his luck has left him.”
“But methinks full sure his luck has left him.”
Forth from England's ranks a score of horsemen
Ride, their chargers mailed, and mailed their riders.
Ride, their chargers mailed, and mailed their riders.
Near the Northmen's steel array up-reining,
“Where is Tosti?” shouts their kingly leader.
“Where is Tosti?” shouts their kingly leader.
“I am he,” quick answer makes the fierce Earl.
“To thee sends thy brother Harold greeting.
“To thee sends thy brother Harold greeting.
“Thine shall be again Northumbria's earldom;
“Thou. his man, shalt rule with him his kingdom.”
“Thou. his man, shalt rule with him his kingdom.”
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“Hate and scorn ye proffered me at Yule-tide;
“Changed, methinks, O brother, are thy offers.
“Changed, methinks, O brother, are thy offers.
“Friendship had ye proffered then, full surely,
“Better had it been this day for England.
“Better had it been this day for England.
“But, if I, forgiving, take thy proffer,
“What giv'st thou to Harald, King of Norway?”
“What giv'st thou to Harald, King of Norway?”
Hollow from the blue helm leaps the answer,
“Gift too will we give unto Hardrada.
“Gift too will we give unto Hardrada.
“Seven feet of English earth shall his be;
“More, if more be needed by his stature.”
“More, if more be needed by his stature.”
Grimly laugh around the mailèd horsemen,
Fiercely joying in the kingly answer.
Fiercely joying in the kingly answer.
But in wrath dark grows the frown of Tosti,
From his lips leap hoarse the words of thunder.
From his lips leap hoarse the words of thunder.
“Then let Harold boune him for the battle;
“Never Northman this shall say of Tosti,
“Never Northman this shall say of Tosti,
“That, with Sigurd's son, I, warring westward,
“Basely left him, left him for his foemen.
“Basely left him, left him for his foemen.
“Fixed am I with him to die with honour,
“Or this land with him to win with glory.”
“Or this land with him to win with glory.”
Back the horsemen ride; back turns Earl Tosti,
Thoughtful, to the son of Sigurd, riding.
Thoughtful, to the son of Sigurd, riding.
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“Who was he, to thee who spoke so kingly?”
“Harold was he, Godwin's son, my brother.”
“Harold was he, Godwin's son, my brother.”
“Hadst thou told me, never to his people
“Back this Harold, England's king, had ridden.”
“Back this Harold, England's king, had ridden.”
“Peace, to me, and power and rule, he proffered;
“On me were his blood, had I betrayed him.
“On me were his blood, had I betrayed him.
“Rather would I die by him than slay him,
“If fate wills by one should fall the other.”
“If fate wills by one should fall the other.”
Towards the Northmen, roll the waves of battle;
Flames the war-song from the son of Sigurd.
Flames the war-song from the son of Sigurd.
“Forward! forward! here no hauberks glisten,
“But, from swords in strong hands, light is gleaming.
“But, from swords in strong hands, light is gleaming.
“Forward! forward! here no mail-coat glances,
“But here beat the fearless hearts of heroes.
“But here beat the fearless hearts of heroes.
“Skill to-day and courage are our armour;
“Eye and hand, instead of steel, shall fend us.”
“Eye and hand, instead of steel, shall fend us.”
Round the bristling spear-ring, ride the horsemen;
Back, the Northmen's shield-wall flings their billows.
Back, the Northmen's shield-wall flings their billows.
Fixed, the stone-walled castle mocks the storm-wind;
Rock, the Northmen breast the roar of England.
Rock, the Northmen breast the roar of England.
Round they ride, ride round the dread shield-rampart;
Breach nor break find they within the bulwark.
Breach nor break find they within the bulwark.
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Horse and horsemen rear against the spear-heads,
From the sharp-set edge of death recoiling.
From the sharp-set edge of death recoiling.
Fly the English? breaks the serried shield-row,
On the flyers press the raging Northmen.
On the flyers press the raging Northmen.
Back the foemen come; the son of Godwin
Hews their way deep through the ranks of Norway.
Hews their way deep through the ranks of Norway.
And the hail of arrows on their bare breasts
Hurtles, in their mailless flesh finds welcome.
Hurtles, in their mailless flesh finds welcome.
With the wild Berserker madness raging,
Through the press of heroes, hews Hardrada.
Through the press of heroes, hews Hardrada.
Hark, on high the dread Valkyrii call him.
In his bare throat, drinks the shaft his life-blood.
In his bare throat, drinks the shaft his life-blood.
Like the tall mast snapped before the storm-wind,
Falls he, like the pine cleft by the woodman.
Falls he, like the pine cleft by the woodman.
Never more the strong shall fall before him,
While behind him pours the flood of battle.
While behind him pours the flood of battle.
Long his Queen shall watching look to westward,
Look across the long waves, for his coming.
Look across the long waves, for his coming.
Round him fight and fall the heaped-up corpse-ring.
Scorning Harold's proffered peace and mercy.
Scorning Harold's proffered peace and mercy.
Falls fierce Tosti, grimly as the bear falls,
Fell, at bay, amid the shouting huntsmen.
Fell, at bay, amid the shouting huntsmen.
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Eystein brings in vain his armèd succours:
Worn and wearied, press they from their war-ships,
Worn and wearied, press they from their war-ships,
Through the sultry noontide vainly toiling,
But to higher pile the battle's slaughter.
But to higher pile the battle's slaughter.
Falls at last the beacon of the war-field;
The Land-Waster sinks, the Raven-Standard.
The Land-Waster sinks, the Raven-Standard.
Then again out speaks the son of Godwin,
“But to slaughter warring heroes, war I.
“But to slaughter warring heroes, war I.
“Plight your troth no more your ocean-riders,
“Viking-filled, shall come with fire and slaughter.
“Viking-filled, shall come with fire and slaughter.
“So bear hence your kingly dead, O Olaf,
“In your long ships, home, O heroes, bear him.
“In your long ships, home, O heroes, bear him.
“And with holy rites, in far-off Norway,
“Tomb him, peaceful after all his battles.”
“Tomb him, peaceful after all his battles.”
Forth to seawards sweep the Northmen's galleys,
Bearing home the restful son of Sigurd.
Bearing home the restful son of Sigurd.
So fell Harald, last of all the Vikings,
Scald, by scalds sung, Harald of the fair hair.
Scald, by scalds sung, Harald of the fair hair.
| Contributions to a Ballad History of England and the States Sprung from Her | |