Day of the Vow
The halls were decked with boughs of holly
Geats were feasting, with toasting jolly
When some spoke words of beer and folly
– Drowning in a sea of mead.
The Thegn recalls a debt unpaid
Declaims his oath, never gainsaid
To slay the Wose whose curse is laid
– Muttering in the darkest night.
Four strode forth one fine spring morning
South we fare with the shepherd’s warning
Beyond the valley, fog fills the gloaming
– Wandering in a sea of mist.
Two Thurse fall beneath our blades
No match for Geats or Thunor’s rays
On through the wild a trail we blaze
Uncovering our hidden boat.
Four Geats fare the river road, hard paddling
Dark midnight finds our watchmen nodding
Merelings mutter runes : to slumber calling
– Creeping from the whispering reeds.
A horde of river wights their curses calling
Full five to one with still no warning
Battle-friends for all still snoring
– Still no match for Geats or Thunor’s rays.
Then to Bardney isle, a steading small
In darkest night, heed the Wose’s call
No man may sleep in Conrad’s Hall
– Drowning in a sea of hate.
Dark is the hour we meet our fate
I sound a Lur, the hour is late
Now we swim in the sea of hate
– Forth comes the mighty Wose!
Behold: a fell wight beyond all mortal laws
A rushing wind of snatching claws
Seeking bones to crack, marrows gnaws
– Yet stealthy as the silent Tree.
No saex or spear will pierce his bark
So we wield axes and leave our mark
Then Leofdag leaps with courage stark
– Senseless he lies in the snow.
Axe and claw cleave flesh and bone
Wounds run red, green sap spatters stone
For evil deeds the Wose must atone
– Osgar strikes the fatal blow.
No more to haunt Coelraed’s Hall
The Wose brought low, a mighty fall
His Oath fulfilled, the Thegn stands tall
– Lytelman for Aye!
*****