Ship a-sail, ship a-sail,
Wave to wave onward,
Crest to crest foam-road
Osgar surf-sundered
“Forward the Geatish men!
“Sail for the rocks!” then
Into the gulley of Death
Rowed nigh a hundred
Eowan to right of them,
Eowan to left of them,
Nicor in front of them,
Galdor o’er-thundered
While dart and stone fell
They sailed and rowed well
Into the haven of Death
Into the jaws of Hel
As witch-kin wondered
Flash’d all their weapons bare,
Flash’d Leofdag’s galdor there
Cleaving the nicor clear
Spoiled of its prey.
Herewulf’s arrow flew
Rune-cast by bow sinew,
Eke one from Beornfrith to
Besom-witch slay.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
Yet then dole dawned.
Steorsman’s wyrd to depart
Hero gave of his heart.
Grasped by the neck around
Nicor-slain Beda drowned
Deep in the monster sound
One Foot beyond