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101
THE BATTLE OF MALDON.
He gave the word that every man should let his good steed go,
Should drive him far away and march afoot to meet the foe,
And hand to hand should strive the strife, and valiant heart should know.
Should drive him far away and march afoot to meet the foe,
And hand to hand should strive the strife, and valiant heart should know.
The son of Offa knew the earl would brook no coward blood;
He loosed his hawk and let him fly, the dear hawk, toward the wood.
Out stept the young man to the fight, and well it might be seen
No weakling would he prove him there, as he gript his weapons keen.
He loosed his hawk and let him fly, the dear hawk, toward the wood.
Out stept the young man to the fight, and well it might be seen
No weakling would he prove him there, as he gript his weapons keen.
And fain was Eadric by his Lord to stand in fight that day;
By his prince's side, and forth he bore his spear unto the fray;
Stout heart he had while he could hold the shield and good broadsword;
He made his vaunting true, in van of battle by his lord.
By his prince's side, and forth he bore his spear unto the fray;
Stout heart he had while he could hold the shield and good broadsword;
He made his vaunting true, in van of battle by his lord.
Then Byrhtnoth gan array his men; he rode and gave the rede,
He shewed the fighters how to stand and keep the place at need,
Fast with their hands to hold the shields, nor be afraid indeed.
Then, when that host of his was set in order fair and due,
He 'lighted where it pleased him best, where his own true-men he knew.
He shewed the fighters how to stand and keep the place at need,
Fast with their hands to hold the shields, nor be afraid indeed.
102
He 'lighted where it pleased him best, where his own true-men he knew.
The vikings' herald stood on shore, and threateningly and loud
He gave the earl upon the bank the seafolk's message proud.
“The swift seamèn have sent me here, and bid me say to thee
Full quickly must thou send them rings, in safety wouldst thou be;
And better 'tis for you buy off this onset of the spear
With tribute, than that we should deal so sore a combat here:
We need not spill each other's lives if ye make fast aright
A peace with us; if thou agree, thou, here the most of might,
Thy folk to ransom, and to give the seamen what shall be
Right in their eyes, and take our peace, make peace with told monèy,
We'll haste to ship, we'll keep that peace, and go upon the sea.”
He gave the earl upon the bank the seafolk's message proud.
“The swift seamèn have sent me here, and bid me say to thee
Full quickly must thou send them rings, in safety wouldst thou be;
And better 'tis for you buy off this onset of the spear
With tribute, than that we should deal so sore a combat here:
We need not spill each other's lives if ye make fast aright
A peace with us; if thou agree, thou, here the most of might,
Thy folk to ransom, and to give the seamen what shall be
Right in their eyes, and take our peace, make peace with told monèy,
We'll haste to ship, we'll keep that peace, and go upon the sea.”
Then Byrhtnoth spake, he raised his shield, he shook the slender spear,
Angry and steadfast spake in words, and made him thus answèr:
“Dost hear, thou dweller on the sea, what this my people saith?
Their tribute is the spear, the sword, the arrow tipt with death;
War-harness that for you in fight full little profiteth.
Angry and steadfast spake in words, and made him thus answèr:
“Dost hear, thou dweller on the sea, what this my people saith?
Their tribute is the spear, the sword, the arrow tipt with death;
War-harness that for you in fight full little profiteth.
“Now, herald of the sea-folk, take this message back, and say
Thou bearest them an ill tiding, an evil word to-day;
Say that amid his host an earl undaunted here doth stand
For his own soil, his prince's earth, the people, and the land.
In battle must the heathen fall; too shameful in my thought,
Ye went with tribute forth from us unto your ships unfought,
Now ye are hither come so far into our land unsought.
And think ye not so lightly ye shall treasure win this day,
For sword and blade shall us atone ere we will tribute pay.”
Thou bearest them an ill tiding, an evil word to-day;
Say that amid his host an earl undaunted here doth stand
For his own soil, his prince's earth, the people, and the land.
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Ye went with tribute forth from us unto your ships unfought,
Now ye are hither come so far into our land unsought.
And think ye not so lightly ye shall treasure win this day,
For sword and blade shall us atone ere we will tribute pay.”
Then did he bid them bear the shield; he bad the men a-rank
March on, till all were standing there, upon the river bank.
March on, till all were standing there, upon the river bank.
Now host might not with host contend, the tide was at its height;
After the ebb came flowing flood, the lake-streams linked their might:
Too long it seemed to wait until the spears might clash in fight.
After the ebb came flowing flood, the lake-streams linked their might:
Too long it seemed to wait until the spears might clash in fight.
Then Pantës stream they did beset with all their strong array,
The forefront of the East Saxòns, and the sea-folk's host that day.
No one could hurt another there, save by the arrow's flight.
The flood went out, the seamen stood all eager for the fight.
Then did the Shelter of Heroes give the word the bridge to hold
To Wulfstan, him to war inured, by race a warrior bold,
(He was the son of Ceola), and his ready spear out-leapt
To smite who, boldest of the foe, first on the bridge had stept.
With him the undaunted mighty twain, Aelfhere and Maccus were,
These from the ford not fain to flee, but steadfast-handed there,
Defended them against the foe, while weapons they might bear.
The forefront of the East Saxòns, and the sea-folk's host that day.
No one could hurt another there, save by the arrow's flight.
The flood went out, the seamen stood all eager for the fight.
Then did the Shelter of Heroes give the word the bridge to hold
To Wulfstan, him to war inured, by race a warrior bold,
(He was the son of Ceola), and his ready spear out-leapt
To smite who, boldest of the foe, first on the bridge had stept.
With him the undaunted mighty twain, Aelfhere and Maccus were,
These from the ford not fain to flee, but steadfast-handed there,
Defended them against the foe, while weapons they might bear.
Then when the foe began to see, and know full certainly
The keepers of the bridge to them right better ones would be,
Dissemble did these loathly men, begged the approach indeed,
That they might overpass the ford, their troops across might lead—
Too much the earl in his disdain to that ill folk gave heed.
The keepers of the bridge to them right better ones would be,
Dissemble did these loathly men, begged the approach indeed,
That they might overpass the ford, their troops across might lead—
Too much the earl in his disdain to that ill folk gave heed.
104
Then gan the son of Byrhthelm call across the cold water
(The warriors hearkened while he spake), “Now is your way made clear;
Come straightway on to us. Advance, men, to the fight” (he said),
“God only knoweth which of us shall keep the battle-stead.”
(The warriors hearkened while he spake), “Now is your way made clear;
Come straightway on to us. Advance, men, to the fight” (he said),
“God only knoweth which of us shall keep the battle-stead.”
The wolves of slaughter strode along, nor for the water cared,
The host of vikings westward there across the Pantë fared;
O'er the clear water bare their shields, their bucklers to the land,
Where, ready for the foe's coming, with his men did Byrhtnoth stand.
The host of vikings westward there across the Pantë fared;
O'er the clear water bare their shields, their bucklers to the land,
Where, ready for the foe's coming, with his men did Byrhtnoth stand.
He bad with shields the war-hedge make, to keep them 'gainst the foe;
The glory of battle, the fight was night, now must the doomed lie low.
Then rose a cry as round and round the ravens wheeled in air,
The erne, all greedy for his prey; a mighty din was there.
The glory of battle, the fight was night, now must the doomed lie low.
Then rose a cry as round and round the ravens wheeled in air,
The erne, all greedy for his prey; a mighty din was there.
Then from their hands the file-sharp lance, the keen-ground spear, they sent,
The shield received the dart's onset, the bows full busy went.
Oh, bitter was the battle rush, the rush of war that day;
Then fell the men; on either hand the gallant young men lay.
Then Wulfmaer took the wound of death, the battle-bed he won;
Full sorely pierced and hewn with swords was Byrhtnoth's sister's son.
The shield received the dart's onset, the bows full busy went.
Oh, bitter was the battle rush, the rush of war that day;
Then fell the men; on either hand the gallant young men lay.
Then Wulfmaer took the wound of death, the battle-bed he won;
Full sorely pierced and hewn with swords was Byrhtnoth's sister's son.
105
The vikings had their due; I have heard that Eadward mightily
With his good sword slew one of them, nor from its swing stayed he,
So that the doomèd warrior fell down straightway at his feet;
His prince gave him, his chamber-thane, thanks when the time was meet.
With his good sword slew one of them, nor from its swing stayed he,
So that the doomèd warrior fell down straightway at his feet;
His prince gave him, his chamber-thane, thanks when the time was meet.
Fast stood the strong-souled youths in fight, full eager in the strife,
Who first with weapon-point should take the doomed foemen's life.
Then slaughter was upon the earth: they stood all steadfastly,
And Byrhtnoth set them in array, and every thought bad he
Of every youth be set on war, who would the victory.
Who first with weapon-point should take the doomed foemen's life.
Then slaughter was upon the earth: they stood all steadfastly,
And Byrhtnoth set them in array, and every thought bad he
Of every youth be set on war, who would the victory.
Then one in battle rage went forth, aloft he reared his shield,
His covert buckler, striding there against our chief in field:
So went the earl full resolute against the churlish foe;
Each all intent on others ill, to work him bale and woe.
His covert buckler, striding there against our chief in field:
So went the earl full resolute against the churlish foe;
Each all intent on others ill, to work him bale and woe.
The seaman sent a southern dart, it struck the chief amain,
He thrust with shield and shivered it: back sprang that spear again.
Then raged the fighter, with his dart that viking proud pierced he,
That gave the wound; he pierced his neck with javelin skilfully,
He guided well his hand that so might death the scather see.
He thrust with shield and shivered it: back sprang that spear again.
Then raged the fighter, with his dart that viking proud pierced he,
That gave the wound; he pierced his neck with javelin skilfully,
He guided well his hand that so might death the scather see.
Then swift he thrust another one, through shattered corslet prest
The spear that bare the mortal wound, the death-stroke through the breast.
The blither was the earl for that, out laughed the warrior grim,
Thanked God because of that day's work, which God had given him.
The spear that bare the mortal wound, the death-stroke through the breast.
The blither was the earl for that, out laughed the warrior grim,
Thanked God because of that day's work, which God had given him.
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Then from his hand one sent a dart, from his grasp to fly amain,
That all too quickly did it pierce Æthelred's noble thane.
Beside him stood a lad ungrown, a boy i' the field; no fear
He knew, but from his lord's body drew forth the bloody spear.
'Twas Wulfstan's son, the young Wulfmaer; that sharp spear on its way
He sent a-travelling back again to pierce that foe in fray
Who erst had sorely hit his lord, that on the ground he lay.
That all too quickly did it pierce Æthelred's noble thane.
Beside him stood a lad ungrown, a boy i' the field; no fear
He knew, but from his lord's body drew forth the bloody spear.
'Twas Wulfstan's son, the young Wulfmaer; that sharp spear on its way
He sent a-travelling back again to pierce that foe in fray
Who erst had sorely hit his lord, that on the ground he lay.
Then went an armed man to the earl, his jewels would he claim,
The warrior's garments and his rings, and fretted sword of fame;
Then Byrhtnoth drew a sword from sheath, broad, brown of edge and hard,
And smote upon his corslet so to deal him his reward:
Too soon a seaman hindered him; that good arm's strength he marred.
He let it drop and fall to ground, his sword with hilt of gold,
He could not wield the weapon more, the keen-edged falchion hold.
The warrior's garments and his rings, and fretted sword of fame;
Then Byrhtnoth drew a sword from sheath, broad, brown of edge and hard,
And smote upon his corslet so to deal him his reward:
Too soon a seaman hindered him; that good arm's strength he marred.
He let it drop and fall to ground, his sword with hilt of gold,
He could not wield the weapon more, the keen-edged falchion hold.
Yet spake the word that warrior hoar, the young men's hearts he cheered,
Bad the good comrades forward go, nor ever be afeard:
No longer could he firmly stand on's feet; to heaven looked he—
“Thanks, Lord of hosts, for these world-joys Thou here didst give to me;
Now merciful Creator, now, I stand in deepest need
That Thou should'st grant my spirit good, that thus my soul indeed
Fare forth to Thee, travel with peace, O King of Angels, so;
I pray Thee that the hell-spoilers nor work her hurt nor woe.”
The heathen varlets smote him down, and those that stood him by,
Ælfnoth and Wulfmaer, by the side of him in death did lie.
Bad the good comrades forward go, nor ever be afeard:
No longer could he firmly stand on's feet; to heaven looked he—
“Thanks, Lord of hosts, for these world-joys Thou here didst give to me;
Now merciful Creator, now, I stand in deepest need
That Thou should'st grant my spirit good, that thus my soul indeed
Fare forth to Thee, travel with peace, O King of Angels, so;
I pray Thee that the hell-spoilers nor work her hurt nor woe.”
107
Ælfnoth and Wulfmaer, by the side of him in death did lie.
Then those who loved not there to be did turn them from the fight;
The three, the sons of Odda, they were foremost in the flight.
'Twas Godric from the battle fled, forsook that noble one
Who gave him many a goodly steed full oft; he leapt upon
The horse in's trappings which his lord had owned: it was not right;
And both his brethren ran with him, they cared not for the fight,
Godrinc and Godwig turned away from battle-rush and strife,
Fled to the shelter of the wood, to the fastness, for their life;
And with them more than had behoved if these had thought upon
The gifts and goods so free bestowed by him, their mighty one.
E'en so the words that Offa spake to them upon a day
When in the council-hall they talked about the fight and fray,
How many a one did speak the word who would not do the deed,
And many valiant in the tongue would fail in time of need.
The three, the sons of Odda, they were foremost in the flight.
'Twas Godric from the battle fled, forsook that noble one
Who gave him many a goodly steed full oft; he leapt upon
The horse in's trappings which his lord had owned: it was not right;
And both his brethren ran with him, they cared not for the fight,
Godrinc and Godwig turned away from battle-rush and strife,
Fled to the shelter of the wood, to the fastness, for their life;
And with them more than had behoved if these had thought upon
The gifts and goods so free bestowed by him, their mighty one.
E'en so the words that Offa spake to them upon a day
When in the council-hall they talked about the fight and fray,
How many a one did speak the word who would not do the deed,
And many valiant in the tongue would fail in time of need.
Now fallen was the people's prince, Æthelraed's earl that day,
And all his own hearth-comrades saw that low their leader lay.
Then went there forth proud thanes, brave men; they hasted eagerly,
One of two things their hearts' desire—to avenge their lord or die.
And all his own hearth-comrades saw that low their leader lay.
Then went there forth proud thanes, brave men; they hasted eagerly,
One of two things their hearts' desire—to avenge their lord or die.
So Ælfric's son well heartened them, a warrior young in years,
Ælfwine spake, his words rang out in courage on their ears:
“Remember when we drank the mead, when at the board we reared
The boast aloft, heroes in all, o' the sharp fight unafeard.
Now be it proven who is brave; mine own good blood I'll shew;
Among the Mercian folk I come of lofty strain, I know;
The wise chief, Ealhhelm, strong and rich, my father's sire was he;
Thanes in that land shall twit me not that I go home to see
My own country now that my prince here lieth slain with sword—
Oh, ill of ills to me!—he was my kinsman and my lord.”
Ælfwine spake, his words rang out in courage on their ears:
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The boast aloft, heroes in all, o' the sharp fight unafeard.
Now be it proven who is brave; mine own good blood I'll shew;
Among the Mercian folk I come of lofty strain, I know;
The wise chief, Ealhhelm, strong and rich, my father's sire was he;
Thanes in that land shall twit me not that I go home to see
My own country now that my prince here lieth slain with sword—
Oh, ill of ills to me!—he was my kinsman and my lord.”
Then went he forth, on vengeance bent; his weapon quickly found
A seaman there amid the host, and smote him to the ground.
He heartened well the men for fray, each gallant friend and fere—
A seaman there amid the host, and smote him to the ground.
He heartened well the men for fray, each gallant friend and fere—
Then Offa lifted up his voice, he shook the ashwood spear—
“Lo Æelfwine, thou hast made strong our hearts in this our need;
Now that our prince lies low o' the earth, behoves us all indeed
That each make strong his fellow's heart while spear and sword we wield,
For Godric, Odda's coward son, hath played us false in field:
Full many a man, because of him, deemed, as he rode on steed,
As on the prideful horse he rode, it was our lord indeed;
Therefore the folk was scattered sore, the shieldburg broke in flight—
A curse upon his dastard deed that put our men to flight!”
“Lo Æelfwine, thou hast made strong our hearts in this our need;
Now that our prince lies low o' the earth, behoves us all indeed
That each make strong his fellow's heart while spear and sword we wield,
For Godric, Odda's coward son, hath played us false in field:
Full many a man, because of him, deemed, as he rode on steed,
As on the prideful horse he rode, it was our lord indeed;
Therefore the folk was scattered sore, the shieldburg broke in flight—
A curse upon his dastard deed that put our men to flight!”
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Then Leofsunu, he spake, aloft he held his buckler there,
He raised his linden-shield on high, and made him thus answèr—
“I swear to thee I will not hence with ready foot in flight,
But will go on and will avenge my friend-lord in the fight:
Nor need the steadfast ones who dwell at Sturmere twit me then
That, now my friend has fallen in fight, I homeward fare again,
Go, lordless, from the fight; but I shall weapons take to me,
The iron sword and spear.” Then lo, he went forth eagerly,
His heart despised the thought of flight, and stubborn-souled fought he.
He raised his linden-shield on high, and made him thus answèr—
“I swear to thee I will not hence with ready foot in flight,
But will go on and will avenge my friend-lord in the fight:
Nor need the steadfast ones who dwell at Sturmere twit me then
That, now my friend has fallen in fight, I homeward fare again,
Go, lordless, from the fight; but I shall weapons take to me,
The iron sword and spear.” Then lo, he went forth eagerly,
His heart despised the thought of flight, and stubborn-souled fought he.
Then Dunnere spake; he shook his lance; he called with mighty breath,
The old man, upon every one to avenge his leader's death.
“He must not pause, nor for his life have any care,” he spoke,
“Who thinketh to avenge his lord upon the heathen folk.”
The old man, upon every one to avenge his leader's death.
“He must not pause, nor for his life have any care,” he spoke,
“Who thinketh to avenge his lord upon the heathen folk.”
Forth went they, Byrhtnoth's body-men, no care for life had they,
Then gan they stark and strong to fight, those spearmen in the fray:
They lifted up a prayer to God that vengeance they might know
For their friend-lord, avenge him well, work death upon the foe.
Then gan they stark and strong to fight, those spearmen in the fray:
They lifted up a prayer to God that vengeance they might know
For their friend-lord, avenge him well, work death upon the foe.
It was the hostage then began to help them willingly;
Among the good Northumbrian folk of gallant kin came he:
Ecglaf, his sire, Æscferth his name, he stayed not from the fight,
The game of war, but sent abroad full many a shaft in flight.
Now would his wounding smite a man, now would he strike a shield;
From time to time he dealt a wound, while weapons he might wield.
Among the good Northumbrian folk of gallant kin came he:
Ecglaf, his sire, Æscferth his name, he stayed not from the fight,
The game of war, but sent abroad full many a shaft in flight.
Now would his wounding smite a man, now would he strike a shield;
From time to time he dealt a wound, while weapons he might wield.
110
Edward the Long stood yet in front; ready and keen was he;
He spake in words of gallant vaunt, that never a foot he'd flee,
Nor turn his back while's Better there upon the ground lay low:—
He brake the wall of shields, he fought against the heathen foe,
Till worthy vengeance he had wreaked on the viking host that day,
For his lord, his giver of gold, ere yet upon the earth he lay.
He spake in words of gallant vaunt, that never a foot he'd flee,
Nor turn his back while's Better there upon the ground lay low:—
He brake the wall of shields, he fought against the heathen foe,
Till worthy vengeance he had wreaked on the viking host that day,
For his lord, his giver of gold, ere yet upon the earth he lay.
So Ætheric, noble fere, likewise, full ready forth to go,
All stoutly Sigebyrht's brother fought, and many a man also.
Oh, keenly fought those fighters there; they clave the hollow shield;
The shield-edge brake, the corslet sang a war-song in the field.
All stoutly Sigebyrht's brother fought, and many a man also.
Oh, keenly fought those fighters there; they clave the hollow shield;
The shield-edge brake, the corslet sang a war-song in the field.
Then in the fray did Offa smite the seaman that he died;
And there to Offa, Gadde's son, himself, did death betide:
Full soon he lay, forwounded sore, but well had kept his word,
His vaunt unto his giver of gold, his promise to his lord,
That both should safe come home and ride within the city wall
Or die i' the midst of foemen's host, i' the place of slaughter fall.
Thanelike he lay beside his prince. Then were the shields brokèn,
Then, fierce with battle-rage and heat, they went those grim seamen;
Full often times the spear did pierce the doomed man's body then.
Then forth went Wigstan, Thurstan's son, against those men he fought;
He was the slayer of three of them, ere's battle-bed he sought.
And there to Offa, Gadde's son, himself, did death betide:
Full soon he lay, forwounded sore, but well had kept his word,
His vaunt unto his giver of gold, his promise to his lord,
That both should safe come home and ride within the city wall
Or die i' the midst of foemen's host, i' the place of slaughter fall.
Thanelike he lay beside his prince. Then were the shields brokèn,
Then, fierce with battle-rage and heat, they went those grim seamen;
Full often times the spear did pierce the doomed man's body then.
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He was the slayer of three of them, ere's battle-bed he sought.
'Twas a fell meeting there that day; in fight fast stood the men;
Wearied with wounds the warriors sank; on earth was slaughter then.
And all the while those warriors twain, Oswold and Ealdwold, they
Heartened the men, begged the dear kin that these, at need; that day,
Should stand, endure, and use the sword, strong-handed in the fray.
Wearied with wounds the warriors sank; on earth was slaughter then.
And all the while those warriors twain, Oswold and Ealdwold, they
Heartened the men, begged the dear kin that these, at need; that day,
Should stand, endure, and use the sword, strong-handed in the fray.
Then Byrhtwold spake, that comrade old, he raised the shield on high,
He shook the ashwood spear, he taught the men unfearingly:
“The braver must our spirit be, our hearts the stronger far,
The greater must our courage wax, the fewer that we are.
Here lies our prince all pierced and hewn, the good one in the clay;
Aye may he mourn who thinketh now to leave this battle-play.
I am old in life, I will not hence, I think to lay me here
The rather by my chieftain's side, a man so lief and dear.”
He shook the ashwood spear, he taught the men unfearingly:
“The braver must our spirit be, our hearts the stronger far,
The greater must our courage wax, the fewer that we are.
Here lies our prince all pierced and hewn, the good one in the clay;
Aye may he mourn who thinketh now to leave this battle-play.
I am old in life, I will not hence, I think to lay me here
The rather by my chieftain's side, a man so lief and dear.”
So did the son of Æthelgar make bold the men in heart;
Full oft did Godric send the spear a-flying, the deadly dart,
Among the vikings, even as first amid the folk went he,
And hewed and felled till in the fight he lay full low to see;
'Twas not that Godric who had turned his back upon the fight
Full oft did Godric send the spear a-flying, the deadly dart,
Among the vikings, even as first amid the folk went he,
And hewed and felled till in the fight he lay full low to see;
'Twas not that Godric who had turned his back upon the fight
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