Difference between revisions of "Blackstream Family"

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'''The Battle of Maldon'''
+
The Battle of Maldon
 +
 
 
A Verse Translation by Douglas B. Killings
 
A Verse Translation by Douglas B. Killings
 +
  
 
...would be broken.
 
...would be broken.
 +
 
Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,
 
Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,
 +
 
driven afar and advance onward,
 
driven afar and advance onward,
 +
 
giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
 
giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.
 +
 
Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
 
Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,
 +
 
that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
 
that the Earl would not endure cowardice,
 +
 
for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
 
for he let then from his hand flee his beloved
 +
 
falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.  
 
falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.  
 +
 
By this a man might understand that this youth would not
 
By this a man might understand that this youth would not
 +
 
prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
 
prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.
 +
 
Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,     
 
Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,     
 +
 
his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
 
his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward
 +
 
his spear to battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
 
his spear to battle.  He had a dauntless spirit
 +
 
as long as he with hands might be able to grasp
 
as long as he with hands might be able to grasp
 +
 
shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
 
shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out
 +
 
that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
 
that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.
 +
 
Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
 
Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,
 +
 
riding and instructing, directing his warriors
 
riding and instructing, directing his warriors
 +
 
how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
 
how they should stand and the positions they should keep,
 +
 
and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
 
and ordering that their shields properly stand firm
 +
 
with steady hands and be not afraid.
 
with steady hands and be not afraid.
 +
 
Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,
 
Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,
 +
 
he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to be,
 
he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to be,
 +
 
there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.
 
there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.

Revision as of 13:20, 21 March 2007

The Battle of Maldon

A Verse Translation by Douglas B. Killings


...would be broken.

Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,

driven afar and advance onward,

giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.

Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,

that the Earl would not endure cowardice,

for he let then from his hand flee his beloved

falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.

By this a man might understand that this youth would not

prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.

Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,

his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward

his spear to battle. He had a dauntless spirit

as long as he with hands might be able to grasp

shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out

that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.

Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,

riding and instructing, directing his warriors

how they should stand and the positions they should keep,

and ordering that their shields properly stand firm

with steady hands and be not afraid.

Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,

he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to be,

there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.