Deep snow and wetness all around
whiteness muffles all sight and sound
though Eotan bring their fatted bulls
on meat and mead and more we feed
In night’s deep slumber I did dream
dark depths of forest, nearby stream
a sacred oak of Thunor’s might
stands blighted and in need of help
Some quest this then I did pursue
and gathered men though they were few
to clense this tree of ails and ills
to let it once more scrape the sky
Aething Wistan and Herefrith
grab geatish arms and hardy garb
and venture out, shields to the fore
against the wind and mighty cold
Soon deep in woodlands East and south
dream-led towards the towering tree
dream walked into the pukel nest
the three geats were jumped by a hoard
Calling on the might of Thunor
horn of Narwhal held up high
Priest-called shielding shines out round us
circling friend and foe alike
To gather in protective glow
the plan that all wise geats know
is tossed aside with not a care
just like their shields, each leapt in
In number pukles had us beat
three strong among a dozen meek
but wounds and fear of Thunors shield
let true men soon gain the field
Onward marched Thegn Osgar’s men
soon found the god tree and green pool
tainted, stale and foul in smell
treebark scarred and alter broken
Leading on Priest Eawulf peers in
Oak’s openeing out over marsh
and dashed out a beast so fast
t’was hard to tell what thing it was
Wolverine! cried Wistan late
claws teeth tail blurring past
once more the wand cast glowing light
spears thrust in two hands found blood
Slips and falls, feet not so sure
the beast spun round raking more
and slashing claw, man on the ground,
nearly done, our luck came good
The beast did err and men did not
and under sacred oak we struck
two fatal blows that peirced the thing
and down it went to much relief
Cleaning out the fettid den
repairing wounds to tree and men
wand and weapons gathered up
this quest is done by stout few
With promises of coming back
this place might serve as new again
Thunor’s Oak a place to worship
protecting the protectors
This tale is true and lest you think
it fanciful and made of drink
look here at this huge pelt, these teeth,
these claws, and think once more my friend