isa-normaladvance-1914-00173

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE173ing out boldly, said: Call to mind the times when heroes in hall talked often at mead, boasted at table concerning the stern conflict  now may it be known who is bold. I will make known my nobility to all, that I am of a great iribe among the Mercians, my ancestor was called Ealhelm, a wise overlord, prosperous in this world. Nor shall the thanes in this king¬ dom twit me with desiring to forsake this struggle, to seek my home, now that my lord lies low, struck down in the conflict to me is that grief most intense, for he was both my kinsman and my lord. Then he went forth, mindful of feuds, so that with his spear he dealt death to the troops of the vikings, and they lay on the earth, slain with his weapons. Then the comrades began to admonish friend and companion, that they go forth. Offa spoke, shaking his ashen spear: Lo thou, Elf wine, hast exhorted all the thanes in their necessity  now our chief lies dead, our earl upon the earth, it is incumbent upon us all to encourage one another, warriors to the conflict, so long as we are able to have and to hold weapons, the hard mace, the spear and the good sword. God¬ ric, the cowardly son of Offa, has deceived us all. Many a man thought, as he rode upon the steed, upon the proud charger, that it was our lord because here on the field, people become separated, the phalanx is broken: may his at¬ tempt fail that he here put to flight so many men! Leofsunn exhorted, and lifted up his shield as a protection. He addressed the war¬ riors : I promise this, that I shall not fly hence the distance of a foot, but I will advance to the utmost, to revenge my lord in the battle. Never around Stourmouth shall the steadfast warriors twit me with words, now my lord hath fallen, that I, lordless, travelled home, turned from the conflict but I shall take weapons, spear and iron. Full angry he advanced and fought swiftly, despising flight. Dunnere, the old fel¬ low, shaking his spear, then said, crying out over all, bidding the warriors each avenge Brihtnoth: Never may he who thinks toavenge his lord upon the people waver nor care for his life.Then they went forth, regarding not their lives the retainers, the grim spear-bearers, be¬ gan to fight fiercely and prayed God that they might avenge their lord. The hostage began zealously to help them he was of the hardy tribe of Northumbria, the son of Ecglaf his name was Ashford. He wavered not in the con¬ flict, but he hurled arrows swiftly now he shot on the shields, now he pierced a warrior, every little while he wounded some one so long as he was able to wield weapons. Next in the line of battle stood Edward, the long, ready and eager. He spoke words of boasting, saying that he would not flee a foot of land, or turn his back when his leader lay dead. He fought against the warriors until he worthily avenged his lord upon the pirates, ere he lay on the field of slaughter. Thus also did Etheric, the noble companion, the brother of Sibyrthl, ready and zealous. He fought earnestly, as did very many others—cleft the hollow shield, fighting boldly. The edge of the shield burst and the corselet sang a grim song of terror. Then in the con¬ flict Offa slew the pirate so that he fell to the earth and there, too, the kinsman of Gad bit the dust. Quickly was Offa cut down in the battle none the less he had accomplished that which he promised his lord when he boasted earlier to his chief that they should either ride home to the fortress unharmed or fall on the field of battle, dying of wounds in the place of slaughter. He lay thane-like beside his prince.Then were shields broken the seamen ad¬ vanced, war raged oft the spear pierced through the doomed house of life. Then Wistan, son of Thurstan, went forth, and fought against the enemy. He was the slayer of three in the tumult ere Wigelines son laid him dead on the field. That was a stern encounter. The men stood firm in the conflict. Warriors fell, weary of wounds slaughter fell upon the earth. All the while Oswald and Ealdwold, both the brothers, exhorted the warriors, their friendly kinsmen praying in the words of their
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/32633
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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