Crossing the Line
Dark was the hour news came
The rider weary, the horse lame
A raging Giant, ranting spite
Calls for Humfrith, asserts his right.
**
But magic guards our border line
He may not cross, must bide his time
He shakes the earth with stamping feet
Puts fear in the heart of the yeoman Geat.
**
Osgar answers his neighbours call
With warriors and weapons from his hall
Forth we ride to meet our foe
In haste to bring the Tyrant low.
**
Spear points glitter in the winter sun
Geats advance, they will not run
Thunderhead rages, hot temper stoked
By insults and arrows rashly provoked.
**
He crosses the border, reckless in spite
Plucks rocks from the earth, a millstone in flight
Strikes Herewulf down, then rushes on
This Wight’s too big, this Wight’s too strong.
**
He tramples our shieldwall, smashes clean through
Osgar’s shield is kindling, unscathed there are few
Herewulf faces Thunderhead, with nowt in his hands
Tumbles like a madman, and behind Him he stands.
**
Now the Tyrant stumbles, baffled and confused
But all the while his lifeblood, by runespell is abused.
Now the Geats rally, with stab and thrust and slash
The Giant reels – staggers – and topples with a crash.
**
Crawling to our border, gasping out his life
No more to trouble Humfrith, or good folk with his strife.
Now to stone He crumbles, forever there to lie
Within our Valley’s border – Littleman for Aye !
*****