The Fight at Maldon

* * * * * * was broken. Then bade he each youth his horse to forsake, To hasten afar and forwards to go, Be mindful of might, of mood courageous. This Offa's kinsman at once perceived That the earl was unwilling faint heart to endure. Then he let from his hands his lief hawk fly, His hawk to the holt, and to battle he stepped; By thát might one know that the knight was unwilling To be weak in the war when to weapons he took. By him too would Eadric, by his overlord, stand, His chief in the fight; then forth gan he bear His spear to the battle: brave spirit had he The while that with hands he was able to hold Shield and broad sword; his boast he fulfilled, When hé 'fore his lord was bound to fight. There Byrhtnoth gan then his warriors embolden, Rode and gave rede, instructed his men Hów they should stand, and the stead sustain, And bade that rimmed shields they rightly should hold Fast with their fists, and frightened be never. When hé had the folk fairly emboldened, With his men he alighted where was liefest to him, Whére his hearth-followers most faithful he knew. Then stood on the stathe, stoutly did call The wikings' herald, with words he spake, Who boastfully bore fróm the brine-farers An errand to th' earl, where he stood on the shore: "To thee me did send the seamen snell, Bade to thee say, thou must send to them quickly Bracelets for safety; and 'tis better for you That ye this spear-rush with tribute buy off Than we in so fierce a fight engage. We need not each spill, if ye speed to this: We will for the pay a peace confirm. If thou that redest who art highest in rank, If thou thy lieges art willing to loose, To pay to the seamen at their own pleasure Money for peace, and take peace from us, We will with the treasure betake us to ship, Fare on the flood, and peace with you confirm." Byrhtnoth replied, his buckler uplifted, Waved his slim spear, with words he spake, Angry and firm gave answer to him: "Hear'st thou, seafarer, what saith this folk? They will for tribute spear-shafts you pay, Poisonous points and trusty swords, Those weapons that you in battle avail not. Herald of seamen, hark back again, Say to thy people much sadder words, Here stands not unknown an earl with his band, Whó will defend this father-land, Æthelred's home, mine own liege lord's, His folk and field: ye're fated to fall, Ye heathen, in battle. Too base it me seems That ye with our scats to ship may go Unfought against, so far ye now hither Intó our country have come within; Ye shall not so gently treasure obtain; Shall spear and sword sooner beseem us, Grim battle-play, ere tribute we give." Then bade he shield bear, warriors advance, So that on the burn-stathe they all were standing. Might not thére for the water one war-band to th' other, When flowing flood came after the ebb, Sea-streams interlocked; too long seemed it them Till they together their spears should bear. Then Panta's stream with pomp [?] they beset, East-Saxons' chief and the host from the ships: No one of them might do harm to the other, But he who by dart's flight his death should receive. The flood ebbed forth; the fleetmen stood ready, Many of wikings, eager for war. Bade heroes' buckler then hold the bridge A war-hardened warrior, who Wulfstan was named, Bold 'mid his kin (he was Ceola's son), Who the first man with his dart shot down That there most boldly stepped on the bridge. There stood with Wulfstan warriors fearless, Ælfhere and Maccus, courageous the twain; At the ford they would nót seek safety in flight, But firm 'gainst the foes themselves they defended, The while that they weapons were able to wield. When they that perceived and earnestly saw That there bridge-fenders [so] fierce they found, Began to lie these loathly guests: Begged that out-going they might obtain, Fare o'er the ford, their footmen lead. Then gan the earl on account of his pride Leave too much land to the loathly people. Began then to call o'er the water cold The son of Byrhthelm (the warriors listened): "Now room is allowed you, come quickly to us, Warriors to war; wot God alone Who thís battle-field may be able to keep." Waded the war-wolves, for water they recked not, The wikings' band, west over Panta, O'er the clear water carried their shields, Boatmen to bank their bucklers bore. There facing their foes ready were standing Byrhtnoth with warriors: with shields he bade The war-hedge work, and the war-band hold Fast 'gainst the foes. Then fight was nigh, Glory in battle; the time was come That fated men should there [now] fall. Then out-cry was raised, the ravens circled, Eagle eager for prey; on earth was uproar. Then they let from their fists the file-hardened spears, The darts well-ground, [fiercely] fly forth: The bows were busy, board point received, Bitter the battle-rush, warriors fell down, On either hands the youths lay dead. Wounded was Wulfmær, death-rest he chose, Byrhtnoth's kinsman, with bills was hé, His sister's son, mightily hewn. There was to the wikings recompense given; Heard I that Edward one of them slew Strongly with sword, stroke he withheld not, That fell at his feet the fated warrior; For that did his prince give thanks to him, To his bower-thane, when he had opportunity. So firmly stood the fierce-in-mind, The youths in fight, eagerly thought Who there with his spear might soonest be able From a fated man the life to win, A warrior with weapons: the dead to earth fell. Steadfast they stood; strengthened them Byrhtnoth, Bade that each youth of battle should think He whó on the Danes glory would gain. Went then a war-brave, his weapon uplifted, His shield for defence, and strode towards the chief; So earnest he went, the earl to the churl: Each for the other of evil was thinking. Sent then the seaman his spear from the south That wounded wás the warrior's lord; Then he shoved with his shield that the shaft in two broke, And the spear was shivered; so sprang it back. Enraged was the warrior: with his spear he thrust The wiking proud, who the wound him gave. Wise was the warrior; he let his spear pierce Through the neck of the youth; his hand it guided So that hé his foe of life deprived. Then he another speedily shot, That the byrnie burst; in breast was he wounded Through the ringèd mail; there stood in his heart The poisonous point. The earl was the gladder; Laughed the proud man, to his Maker gave thanks For the work of that day that the Lord him gave. Then let one of warriors a dart from his hands, Fly from his fist, that forth it went Thróugh that noble thane of Æthelred. There stood by his side a youth not grown, A boy in the fight, whó very boldly Drew from the warrior the bloody spear, The son of Wulfstan, Wulfmær the young; He let the hard weapon fly back again; The point in-pierced, that on earth he lay Who erst his lord strongly had struck. Went then an armored man to the earl, He would the warrior's jewels fetch back, Armor and rings and sword well-adorned. Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath, Broad and brown-edged, and on byrnie he struck: Too quickly him hindered one of the seamen, When he of the earl the arm had wounded; Fell then to earth the fallow-hilt sword: He might not hold the hardened brand, His weapon wield. Yet the word he spake, The hoary hero the youths encouraged, Bade forwards go his good companions: He might not on foot longer stand firm; He looked up to heaven, [the earl exclaimed:] "I thanks to thee give, Ruler of nations, For all those joys that on earth I experienced: Now, Maker mild, most need have I That thou to my spirit the blessing grant, That my soul to thee may take its course, Intó thy power, Prince of angels, With peace may go: I pray to thee, That fiends of hell may not it harm." Then hewed him down the heathen hinds, And both the warriors, who by him stood, Ælfnoth and Wulfmær both lay down dead, Beside their lord gave up their lives. Then bowed they from battle who there would not be; There Odda's sons were erst in flight: From battle went Godric, and the good one forsook, Who hád on him many a steed oft bestowed: He leaped on the horse that his lord had owned, Upon those trappings that right it was not, And his brothers with him both ran away, Godrinc and Godwig, recked not of war, But went from the fight, and sought the wood, Fled to the fastness, and saved their lives, And more of the men than wás at all meet, If they those services all had remembered, That he for their welfare to them had done; So Offa to him one day had erst said At the meeting-place, when he held a moot, That there [very] proudly they many things spake Which after in need they would not perform. Thén was down-fallen the prince of the folk, Æthelred's earl: all of them saw, The hearth-companions, that their lord lay dead. Then hurried there forth the haughty thanes, The valiant men eagerly hastened: They would then all the one of the two, Their lives forsake or their loved one avenge. So urged them ón the son of Ælfric, A winter-young warrior, with words them addressed. Then Ælfwine quoth (boldly he spake): "Remember the times that we oft at mead spake, When we on the bench our boast upraised, Heroes in hall, the hard fight anent: Now may be tested who is the true. I will my lineage to all make known, That I 'mong the Mercians of mickle race was, My grandfather wás Ealhhelm by name, An alderman wise, with wealth endowed. Ne'er shall 'mong this folk me thanes reproach That I from this host will hasten to wend, My home to seek, now lies my lord Down-hewn in fight; to me 'tis great harm: By blood he was kin and by rank he was lord." Then went he forth, was mindful of feud, That hé with his spear one of them pierced, A sailor o' the folk, that he lay on the ground Killed with his weapon. Gan he comrades exhort, Friends and companions, that forth they should go. Offa addressed them, his ash-spear shook: "Lo! Ælfwine, thóu hast all admonished, Thanes, of the need. Now lieth our lord, Earl on the earth, to us all there is need That each one of us should strengthen the other Warrior to war, while weapon he may [Still] have and hold, the hardened brand, Spear and good sword. Us hath Godric, Cowed son of Offa, all [basely] deceived: So many men thought when on mare he rode, On thát proud steed, that it wás our lord: Therefore in field here the folk was divided, The phalanx broken: may perish his deed, That he here so many men caused to flee!" Leofsunu spake, and uplifted his shield, His buckler for guard; to the warrior he quoth: "I promise thee this, that hence I will nót A foot's breadth flee, but further will go, Avenge in battle mine own dear lord. Me need not 'round Stourmere the steadfast heroes With words reproach, now my friend has fallen, That, lacking my lord, home I depart, Wend from the war, but weapons shall take me, Spear and iron." Full angry he strode, Firmly he fought, flight he despised. Then Dunnere spake, his spear he shook, The agèd churl, called over all, Bade that each warrior should Byrhtnoth avenge: "He may not delay who thinks to avenge His lord on the folk, nor care for his life." Then forwards they went, they recked not of life; Gan then his followers valiantly fight, Spear-bearers grim, and to God they prayed, That théy might avenge their own dear lord, And upon their foes slaughter fulfil. Then gan the hostage eagerly help: He was 'mong Northumbrians of valiant race, The son of Ecglaf, his name was Æscferth: Ne'er wavered hé in that play of war, But he hastened forth many a dart; At times shot on shield, at times killed a chief, Ever and anon inflicted some wound, The while that he weapon was able to wield. Then still in front stood Edward the long, Ready and eager; boastingly said That hé would not flee a foot-breadth of land, Backwards withdraw, when his better lay dead: Broke he the shield-wall and fought 'gainst the warriors, Till hé his ring-giver upón the seamen Worthily avenged, ere he lay on the field. So [too] did Ætheric, noble companion, Ready and eager, earnestly fought he; Sigebryht's brother and many another Cleft the curved board, them bravely defended; Shield's border burst, and the byrnie sang A terrible song. In battle then slew Offa the seaman that on earth he fell, And the kinsman of Gadd there sought the ground; Quickly in battle was Offa hewn down: He had though fulfilled what he promised his lord, As hé before vowed in face of his ring-giver, That both of them shóuld ride to the borough, Hale to their homes, or in battle should fall, Upón the slaughter-place die of their wounds; He lay like a thane his lord beside. Then was breaking of boards; the seamen stormed, Enraged by the fight; the spear oft pierced The fated one's life-house. Forth then went Wigstan, Son of Thurstan, fought 'gainst the foes: He wás in the throng the slayer of three, Ere Wigelin's bairn lay dead on the field. There fierce was the fight: firmly they stood, Warriors in war, the fighters fell, Weary with wounds; fell corpses to earth. Oswald and Ealdwald during all the while, Both of the brothers, emboldened the warriors, Their kinsman-friends bade they in words, That they in need should there endure, Unwaveringlý their weapons use. Byrhtwold [then] spake, uplifted his shield,— Old comrade was he,—his spear he shook, Hé very boldly exhorted the warriors: "The braver shall thought be, the bolder the heart, The more the mood, as lessens our might. Here lieth our lord, all hewn to pieces, The good on the ground: ever may grieve Who now from this war-play thinketh to wend. I am old in years: hence will I not, But here beside mine own dear lord, So loved a man, I purpose to lie." So Æthelgar's bairn them all emboldened, Godric, to battle: oft let he his spear, His war-spear wind amongst the wikings; So 'midst the folk foremost he went, Hewed he and felled, till in battle he lay; This was nót that Godric who fled from the fight.