Lords in Darkness
Twelve Lords in Darkness Lie,
All of Danemark, and I,
Under a black and sunless sky,
The third beneath the hill.
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Cold we lie below the soil,
Resting now beyond all toil,
Under a black and sunless sky,
The third beneath the hill.
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Summoned by an evil mind,
Galdor and runespell he speaks to bind
Under a black and sunless sky,
The third beneath the hill.
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Seek out these runes, in darkness designed
Put all to the sword ! – these words underlined
Under a black and sunless sky,
Hears the third beneath the hill.
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Three times he calls me from my sleep
Miles to travel, and promises to keep
Under a black and sunless sky,
Walks the third beneath the hill.
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The Thane falls before my sword,
Now Samso’s isle has no lord
Under a black and sunless sky,
Walks the third beneath the hill.
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But Beowulf’s folk have no dread
Some Geats can call to the walking dead
Under a black and sunless sky,
They speak to the third beneath the hill.
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He who disturbs my rest must die !
Or else all Twelve no more will lie
Under a black and sunless sky
Asleep beneath the hill.
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A carving found in a sack of meal
Murder’s root doth reveal
Who from a black and sunless sky,
Called the third beneath the hill.
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Saelred’s Mill holds the guilty folk
Eorpwald there fell galdor spoke
From a bleak and sunless sky
Calls forth the third beneath the hill.
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His foolish guilt now plain to see
So shall his head accompany me
Back to the black and sunless sky
Said the third beneath the hill.
*****