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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