Poem of the Battle of Maldon

Poem of the Battle of Maldon is in Early Medieval Books.

11th August 30BCPoem of the Battle of Maldon.

... brocen wurde.	… was broken.
Het þa hyssa hwæne hors forlætan,	Then he ordered each warrior to leave his horse,
feor afysan, and forð gangan,	drive it far away, and go forward,
hicgan to handum and to hige godum.	to think of hand-to-hand fighting and brave resolve.
Þa þæt Offan mæg ærest onfunde,	Then Offa's kinsman was the first to understand
þæt se eorl nolde yrhðo geþolian,	that the earl would not endure cowardice.
he let him þa of handon leofne fleogan	He let his beloved hawk fly from his hand
hafoc wið þæs holtes, and to þære hilde stop;	towards the wood, and stepped forward to battle;
be þam man mihte oncnawan þæt se cniht nolde	by this one might know that the young warrior would not
wacian æt þam wige, þa he to wæpnum feng.	falter in the fight, when he took up his weapons.	10
Eac him wolde Eadric his ealdre gelæstan,	Eadric too wished to serve his lord,
frean to gefeohte, ongan þa forð beran	his master, in the battle, and began to bear forward
gar to guþe. He hæfde god geþanc	his spear to the fight. He had a brave resolve
þa hwile þe he mid handum healdan mihte	for as long as he could hold in his hands
bord and bradswurd; beot he gelæste	shield and broad sword; he fulfilled his boast
þa he ætforan his frean feohtan sceolde.	when he was called upon to fight before his lord.
Ða þær Byrhtnoð ongan beornas trymian,	Then Byrhtnoth began there to marshal the warriors,
rad and rædde, rincum tæhte	rode and counselled, taught the men
hu hi sceoldon standan and þone stede healdan,	how they should stand and hold the ground,
and bæd þæt hyra randas rihte heoldon	and bade them keep their shields rightly	20
fæste mid folman, and ne forhtedon na.	firm in their hands, and not be afraid.
Þa he hæfde þæt folc fægere getrymmed,	When he had fairly arrayed the people,
he lihte þa mid leodon þær him leofost wæs,	he dismounted among the men where he most wished to be,
þær he his heorðwerod holdost wiste.	where he knew his household troop was most loyal.

Þa stod on stæðe, stiðlice clypode	Then on the shore stood, loudly calling,
wicinga ar, wordum mælde,	a Viking messenger, who spoke in words,
se on beot abead brimliþendra	who in boast delivered the seafarers’
ærænde to þam eorle, þær he on ofre stod:	message to the earl, where he stood on the bank:
"Me sendon to þe sæmen snelle,	"Bold seamen have sent me to you,
heton ðe secgan þæt þu most sendan raðe	and bade me tell you that you must quickly send	30
beagas wið gebeorge; and eow betere is	rings in return for protection; and it is better for you
þæt ge þisne garræs mid gafole forgyldon,	that you pay tribute for this spear-assault,
þon we swa hearde hilde dælon.	than that we deal out such fierce battle.
Ne þurfe we us spillan, gif ge spedaþ to þam;	"We need not destroy one another, if you agree to this;
we willað wið þam golde grið fæstnian.	we will establish peace in return for the gold.
Gyf þu þat gerædest, þe her ricost eart,	If you, who are the most powerful here, decide
þæt þu þine leoda lysan wille,	that you wish to ransom your people,
syllan sæmannum on hyra sylfra dom	to give the seamen, at their own demand,
feoh wið freode, and niman frið æt us,	wealth in return for peace, and take peace from us,
we willaþ mid þam sceattum us to scype gangan,	we will go with the tribute to our ships,	40
on flot feran, and eow friþes healdan."	sail away, and keep peace with you."
Byrhtnoð maþelode, bord hafenode,	Byrhtnoth spoke, raising his shield,
wand wacne æsc, wordum mælde,	waved his slender ash spear, and declared in words,
yrre and anræd ageaf him andsware:	angry and resolute, giving him his answer:
"Gehyrst þu, sælida, hwæt þis folc segeð?	"Do you hear, seafarer, what this people says?
Hi willað eow to gafole garas syllan,	They will give you spears as tribute,
ættrynne ord and ealde swurd,	poisoned points and ancient swords,
þa heregeatu þe eow æt hilde ne deah.	war-gear that will bring you no profit in battle."
Brimmanna boda, abeod eft ongean,	Messenger of the seamen, carry this answer back,
sege þinum leodum miccle laþre spell,	tell your people a far more hateful message,	50
þæt her stynt unforcuð eorl mid his werode,	that here stands an undaunted earl with his company,
þe wile gealgean eþel þysne,	who will defend this homeland,
æþelredes eard, ealdres mines,	Æthelred's country, the land of my lord,
folc and foldan. Feallan sceolon	his people and his soil. The heathens shall
hæþene æt hilde. To heanlic me þinceð	fall in battle. It seems too shameful to me
þæt ge mid urum sceattum to scype gangon	that you should go to your ships with our treasure
unbefohtene, nu ge þus feor hider	without a fight, now that you have come so far
on urne eard in becomon.	into our land.
Ne sceole ge swa softe sinc gegangan;	You shall not gain treasure so easily;
us sceal ord and ecg ær geseman,	spear-point and sword-edge shall first settle matters between us,	60
grim guðplega, ær we gofol syllon."	grim battle-play, before we pay tribute."

Het þa bord beran, beornas gangan,	Then he ordered the shields to be borne, the warriors to advance,
þæt hi on þam easteðe ealle stodon.	so that they all stood on the river-bank.
Ne mihte þær for wætere werod to þam oðrum;	Because of the water, one army could not reach the other;
þær com flowende flod æfter ebban,	the flood came flowing in after the ebb,
lucon lagustreamas. To lang hit him þuhte,	and the water-currents closed the way. It seemed too long to them
hwænne hi togædere garas beron.	before they could bring their spears together.
Hi þær Pantan stream mid prasse bestodon,	There by the stream of the Panta they stood in force,
Eastseaxena ord and se æschere.	the foremost ranks of the East Saxons and the army from the ships.
Ne mihte hyra ænig oþrum derian,	Neither side could do harm to the other,	70
buton hwa þurh flanes flyht fyl gename.	unless someone brought another down by the flight of an arrow.
Se flod ut gewat; þa flotan stodon gearowe,	The flood went out; then the seafarers stood ready,
wicinga fela, wiges georne.	many Vikings, eager for battle.
Het þa hæleða hleo healdan þa bricge	Then the protector of heroes ordered the bridge to be held
wigan wigheardne, se wæs haten Wulfstan,	by a battle-hardened warrior, who was called Wulfstan,
cafne mid his cynne, þæt wæs Ceolan sunu,	bold among his kin, the son of Ceola,
þe ðone forman man mid his francan ofsceat	who struck down with his spear the first man
þe þær baldlicost on þa bricge stop.	who stepped most boldly onto the bridge.
Þær stodon mid Wulfstane wigan unforhte,	There with Wulfstan stood fearless warriors,
ælfere and Maccus, modige twegen,	Ælfhere and Maccus, two courageous men,	80
þa noldon æt þam forda fleam gewyrcan,	who would not flee from the ford,
ac hi fæstlice wið ða fynd weredon,	but steadfastly defended themselves against the enemy
þa hwile þe hi wæpna wealdan moston.	for as long as they could wield their weapons.
Þa hi þæt ongeaton and georne gesawon	When the hostile strangers perceived and clearly saw
þæt hi þær bricgweardas bitere fundon,	that they had found fierce defenders of the bridge,
ongunnon lytegian þa laðe gystas,	they began to use cunning,
bædon þæt hi upgang agan moston,	and asked that they might be allowed to come ashore,
ofer þone ford faran, feþan lædan.	to cross the ford and lead their troops across.

Ða se eorl ongan for his ofermode	Then the earl, because of his excessive pride,
alyfan landes to fela laþere ðeode.	allowed too much land to the hostile people.	90
Ongan ceallian þa ofer cald wæter	Then Byrhthelm's son began to call across the cold water
Byrhtelmes bearn (beornas gehlyston):	(the warriors listened):
"Nu eow is gerymed, gað ricene to us,	"Now the way is opened for you; come quickly to us,
guman to guþe; god ana wat	men to battle; God alone knows
hwa þære wælstowe wealdan mote."	who shall have mastery of the field of slaughter."
Wodon þa wælwulfas (for wætere ne murnon),	Then the slaughter-wolves advanced (they cared nothing for the water),
wicinga werod, west ofer Pantan,	the Viking host, westward across the Panta,
ofer scir wæter scyldas wegon,	over the bright water they bore their shields,
lidmen to lande linde bæron.	the seamen carried their linden shields to land.
Þær ongean gramum gearowe stodon	There, ready against the hostile men, stood	100
Byrhtnoð mid beornum; he mid bordum het	Byrhtnoth with his warriors; he ordered them with their shields
wyrcan þone wihagan, and þæt werod healdan	to form the battle-hedge, and the army to hold
fæste wið feondum. Þa wæs feohte neh,	firm against the enemy. Then battle was near,
tir æt getohte. Wæs seo tid cumen	glory in the contest. The time had come
þæt þær fæge men feallan sceoldon.	when doomed men there must fall.
Þær wearð hream ahafen, hremmas wundon,	There a cry was raised, ravens wheeled,
earn æses georn; wæs on eorþan cyrm.	the eagle eager for carrion; there was tumult on the earth.
Hi leton þa of folman feolhearde speru,	Then from their hands they let fly file-hardened spears,
gegrundene garas fleogan;	ground-sharpened javelins flew;
bogan wæron bysige, bord ord onfeng.	bows were busy, shield received spear-point.	110
Biter wæs se beaduræs, beornas feollon	Bitter was the battle-rush; warriors fell
on gehwæðere hand, hyssas lagon.	on either side, young men lay slain.
Wund wearð Wulfmær, wælræste geceas,	Wulfmær was wounded and chose his death-rest,
Byrhtnoðes mæg; he mid billum wearð,	Byrhtnoth's kinsman; with swords he was,
his swuster sunu, swiðe forheawen.	his sister's son, fiercely cut down.
Þær wearð wicingum wiþerlean agyfen.	There the Vikings were given recompense.

Gehyrde ic þæt Eadweard anne sloge	I heard that Edward struck one man
swiðe mid his swurde, swenges ne wyrnde,	fiercely with his sword, withholding no blow,
þæt him æt fotum feoll fæge cempa;	so that a doomed warrior fell at his feet;
þæs him his ðeoden þanc gesæde,	for this his lord gave him thanks,	120
þam burþene, þa he byre hæfde.	to the young warrior, when he had done the deed.
Swa stemnetton stiðhicgende	So the resolute young men stood firm
hysas æt hilde, hogodon georne	in battle, eagerly striving
hwa þær mid orde ærost mihte	to see who there with spear-point first might
on fægean men feorh gewinnan,	take the life from a doomed man,
wigan mid wæpnum; wæl feol on eorðan.	warrior against warrior with weapons; the slain fell on the earth.
Stodon stædefæste; stihte hi Byrhtnoð,	They stood steadfast; Byrhtnoth urged them on,
bæd þæt hyssa gehwylc hogode to wige	bade every young warrior turn his mind to battle
þe on Denon wolde dom gefeohtan.	who wished to win glory against the Danes.
Wod þa wiges heard, wæpen up ahof,	Then the battle-hardened warrior advanced, raised his weapon,	130
bord to gebeorge, and wið þæs beornes stop.	his shield for protection, and stepped against the warrior.
Eode swa anræd eorl to þam ceorle,	So the resolute earl went towards the man,
ægþer hyra oðrum yfeles hogode.	each of them intending harm to the other.
Sende ða se særinc suþerne gar,	Then the seafarer sent a southern spear,
þæt gewundod wearð wigena hlaford;	so that the lord of warriors was wounded;
he sceaf þa mid ðam scylde, þæt se sceaft tobærst,	he thrust with his shield, so that the shaft broke,
and þæt spere sprengde, þæt hit sprang ongean.	and shattered the spear, so that it sprang back.
Gegremod wearð se guðrinc; he mid gare stang	The warrior was enraged; with his spear he stabbed
wlancne wicing, þe him þa wunde forgeaf.	the proud Viking who had given him the wound.
Frod wæs se fyrdrinc; he let his francan wadan	Experienced was the warrior; he let his spear pass	140
þurh ðæs hysses hals, hand wisode	through the young man's neck, guiding it with his hand
þæt he on þam færsceaðan feorh geræhte.	so that he reached the life of the sudden attacker.
Ða he oþerne ofstlice sceat,	Then he swiftly struck another,
þæt seo byrne tobærst; he wæs on breostum wund	so that the mail-coat burst; he was wounded in the breast
þurh ða hringlocan, him æt heortan stod	through the rings of mail, and at his heart stood
ætterne ord. Se eorl wæs þe bliþra,	the poisoned point. The earl was the more joyful,
hloh þa, modi man, sæde metode þanc	then laughed, the courageous man, and gave thanks to God
ðæs dægweorces þe him drihten forgeaf.	for the day's work which the Lord had granted him.
Forlet þa drenga sum daroð of handa,	Then one of the warriors let a javelin fly from his hand,
fleogan of folman, þæt se to forð gewat	sent it flying from his palm, so that it passed right	150
þurh ðone æþelan æþelredes þegen.	through the noble thane of Æthelred.

Him be healfe stod hyse unweaxen,	Beside him stood a young warrior,
cniht on gecampe, se full caflice	a youth in battle, who very boldly
bræd of þam beorne blodigne gar,	drew the bloody spear from the warrior,
Wulfstanes bearn, Wulfmær se geonga,	Wulfstan's son, young Wulfmær,
forlet forheardne faran eft ongean;	and sent the hardened weapon back again;
ord in gewod, þæt se on eorþan læg	the point drove in, so that he lay upon the earth
þe his þeoden ær þearle geræhte.	who had grievously wounded his lord before.
Eode þa gesyrwed secg to þam eorle;	Then an armed warrior went towards the earl;
he wolde þæs beornes beagas gefecgan,	he wished to seize the warrior's rings,	160
reaf and hringas and gerenod swurd.	his armour and ornaments and adorned sword.
Þa Byrhtnoð bræd bill of sceðe,	Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from the sheath,
brad and bruneccg, and on þa byrnan sloh.	broad and bright-edged, and struck at the mail-coat.
To raþe hine gelette lidmanna sum,	Too quickly one of the seamen hindered him,
þa he þæs eorles earm amyrde.	when he disabled the earl's arm.
Feoll þa to foldan fealohilte swurd;	Then the yellow-hilted sword fell to the ground;
ne mihte he gehealdan heardne mece,	he could no longer hold the hard blade,
wæpnes wealdan. Þa gyt þæt word gecwæð	nor wield the weapon. Yet still he spoke,
har hilderinc, hyssas bylde,	the grey-haired warrior, encouraging the young men,
bæd gangan forð gode geferan;	bade his good companions go forward;	170
ne mihte þa on fotum leng fæste gestandan.	he could no longer stand firmly upon his feet.
He to heofenum wlat:	He looked towards heaven:
"Geþancie þe, ðeoda waldend,	"I thank you, Ruler of peoples,
ealra þæra wynna þe ic on worulde gebad.	for all the joys that I have experienced in this world.
Nu ic ah, milde metod, mæste þearfe	Now, merciful Lord, I have the greatest need
þæt þu minum gaste godes geunne,	that you grant good to my spirit,
þæt min sawul to ðe siðian mote	that my soul may journey to you
on þin geweald, þeoden engla,	into your keeping, Lord of angels,
mid friþe ferian. Ic eom frymdi to þe	and depart in peace. I beseech you
þæt hi helsceaðan hynan ne moton."	that the fiends of hell may not harm it."	180
Ða hine heowon hæðene scealcas	Then the heathen warriors cut him down,
and begen þa beornas þe him big stodon,	and both the warriors who stood beside him,
ælfnoð and Wulmær begen lagon,	Ælfnoth and Wulfmær, both lay slain,
ða onemn hyra frean feorh gesealdon.	who beside their lord gave up their lives.

Hi bugon þa fram beaduwe þe þær beon noldon.	Then those who would not remain there turned from the battle.
þær wearð Oddan bearn ærest on fleame,	There Odda's son was the first to flee,
Godric fram guþe, and þone godan forlet	Godric from the fight, and abandoned the good lord
þe him mænigne oft mear gesealde;	who had often given him many a horse;
he gehleop þone eoh þe ahte his hlaford,	he leapt upon the steed that belonged to his lord,
on þam gerædum þe hit riht ne wæs,	into the trappings to which he had no right,	190
and his broðru mid him begen ærndon,	and both his brothers ran with him,
Godwine and Godwig, guþe ne gymdon,	Godwine and Godwig, caring nothing for battle,
ac wendon fram þam wige and þone wudu sohton,	but turned from the fight and sought the wood,
flugon on þæt fæsten and hyra feore burgon,	fled into the stronghold and saved their lives,
and manna ma þonne hit ænig mæð wære,	and more men than was in any way fitting,
gyf hi þa geearnunga ealle gemundon	if they had remembered all the favours
þe he him to duguþe gedon hæfde.	which he had bestowed upon them for their service.
Swa him Offa on dæg ær asæde	So Offa had said to him earlier that day
on þam meþelstede, þa he gemot hæfde,	at the meeting-place, when he held an assembly,
þæt þær modiglice manega spræcon	that many there spoke boldly	200
þe eft æt þearfe þolian noldon.	who afterwards, in time of need, would not endure.
Þa wearð afeallen þæs folces ealdor,	Then the leader of the people had fallen,
æþelredes eorl; ealle gesawon	Æthelred's earl; all the household retainers saw
heorðgeneatas þæt hyra heorra læg.	that their lord lay slain.

Þa ðær wendon forð wlance þegenas,	Then the proud thanes went forward,
unearge men efston georne;	fearless men hastened eagerly;
hi woldon þa ealle oðer twega,	they all wished one of two things,
lif forlætan oððe leofne gewrecan.	to give up their lives or avenge their beloved lord.
Swa hi bylde forð bearn ælfrices,	So the son of Ælfric urged them onward,
wiga wintrum geong, wordum mælde,	a warrior young in years, and spoke these words;	210
ælfwine þa cwæð, he on ellen spræc:	Ælfwine then said, speaking with courage:
"Gemunan þa mæla þe we oft æt meodo spræcon,	"Remember the times when we often spoke over mead,
þonne we on bence beot ahofon,	when on the bench we raised our boasts,
hæleð on healle, ymbe heard gewinn;	warriors in the hall, about hard fighting;
nu mæg cunnian hwa cene sy.	now it may be tested who is brave.
Ic wylle mine æþelo eallum gecyþan,	I will make my lineage known to everyone,
þæt ic wæs on Myrcon miccles cynnes;	that I was born among the Mercians of a great family;
wæs min ealda fæder Ealhelm haten,	my aged grandfather was called Ealhelm,
wis ealdorman, woruldgesælig.	a wise ealdorman, prosperous in the world.
Ne sceolon me on þære þeode þegenas ætwitan	The thanes among that people shall not reproach me	220
þæt ic of ðisse fyrde feran wille,	that I intend to depart from this army,
eard gesecan, nu min ealdor ligeð	to seek my homeland, now that my lord lies
forheawen æt hilde. Me is þæt hearma mæst;	cut down in battle. That is my greatest sorrow;
he wæs ægðer min mæg and min hlaford."	he was both my kinsman and my lord."
Þa he forð eode, fæhðe gemunde,	Then he went forward, mindful of the feud,
þæt he mid orde anne geræhte	and with his spear-point struck one
flotan on þam folce, þæt se on foldan læg	seaman among the host, so that he lay on the ground,
forwegen mid his wæpne. Ongan þa winas manian,	slain by his weapon. Then he began to urge his comrades,
frynd and geferan, þæt hi forð eodon.	friends and companions, to go forward.
Offa gemælde, æscholt asceoc:	Offa spoke, shaking his ash spear:	230
"Hwæt þu, ælfwine, hafast ealle gemanode	"Indeed, Ælfwine, you have reminded all
þegenas to þearfe, nu ure þeoden lið,	the thanes of their duty, now that our lord lies,
eorl on eorðan. Us is eallum þearf	the earl upon the earth. We all have need
þæt ure æghwylc oþerne bylde	that each of us encourage the other,
wigan to wige, þa hwile þe he wæpen mæge	warrior to battle, for as long as he can
habban and healdan, heardne mece,	possess and hold a weapon, a hard sword,
gar and godswurd. Us Godric hæfð,	spear and good blade. Godric has,
earh Oddan bearn, ealle beswicene.	the cowardly son of Odda, betrayed us all.
Wende þæs formoni man, þa he on meare rad,	Too many men believed, when he rode upon the horse,
on wlancan þam wicge, þæt wære hit ure hlaford;	upon that proud steed, that it was our lord;	240
forþan wearð her on felda folc totwæmed,	therefore here on the field the army was divided,
scyldburh tobrocen. Abreoðe his angin,	the shield-wall broken. May his undertaking fail,
þæt he her swa manigne man aflymde!"	since he caused so many men here to flee!"
Leofsunu gemælde and his linde ahof,	Leofsunu spoke and raised his linden shield,
bord to gebeorge; he þam beorne oncwæð:	his shield for protection; he said to the warrior:
"Ic þæt gehate, þæt ic heonon nelle	"I promise that I will not flee from here
fleon fotes trym, ac wille furðor gan,	a single footstep, but will go further forward,
wrecan on gewinne minne winedrihten.	to avenge in battle my beloved lord.
Ne þurfon me embe Sturmere stedefæste hælæð	The steadfast warriors around Sturmere shall have no need
wordum ætwitan, nu min wine gecranc,	to reproach me with words, now that my friend has fallen,	250
þæt ic hlafordleas ham siðie,	for going home without my lord,
wende fram wige, ac me sceal wæpen niman,	turning away from battle; rather, weapons shall take me,
ord and iren." He ful yrre wod,	spear-point and iron." He advanced in great anger,
feaht fæstlice, fleam he forhogode.	fought steadfastly, and scorned flight.
Dunnere þa cwæð, daroð acwehte,	Then Dunnere spoke, brandishing his spear,
unorne ceorl, ofer eall clypode,	a simple ceorl, and called out above them all,
bæd þæt beorna gehwylc Byrhtnoð wræce:	bidding every warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:
"Ne mæg na wandian se þe wrecan þenceð	"He who intends to avenge his lord
frean on folce, ne for feore murnan."	among the host must not falter, nor care for his life."

Þa hi forð eodon, feores hi ne rohton;	Then they went forward, caring nothing for their lives;	260
ongunnon þa hiredmen heardlice feohtan,	the household warriors began to fight fiercely,
grame garberend, and god bædon	angry spear-bearers, and prayed to God
þæt hi moston gewrecan hyra winedrihten	that they might avenge their beloved lord
and on hyra feondum fyl gewyrcan.	and strike down their enemies.
Him se gysel ongan geornlice fylstan;	The hostage began eagerly to help them;
he wæs on Norðhymbron heardes cynnes,	he was of a hardy Northumbrian family,
Ecglafes bearn, him wæs æscferð nama.	Ecglaf's son, and his name was Æscferð.
He ne wandode na æt þam wigplegan,	He did not falter at the battle-play,
ac he fysde forð flan genehe;	but eagerly sent arrows flying;
hwilon he on bord sceat, hwilon beorn tæsde,	sometimes he shot at a shield, sometimes he wounded a warrior,	270
æfre embe stunde he sealde sume wunde,	again and again he dealt out wounds,
þa hwile ðe he wæpna wealdan moste.	for as long as he was able to wield his weapons.
Þa gyt on orde stod Eadweard se langa,	Still at the front stood Edward the Tall,
gearo and geornful, gylpwordum spræc	ready and eager, and spoke boastful words
þæt he nolde fleogan fotmæl landes,	that he would not flee a foot of ground,
ofer bæc bugan, þa his betera leg.	nor turn his back, now that his superior lay dead.
He bræc þone bordweall and wið þa beornas feaht,	He broke through the shield-wall and fought against the warriors,
oðþæt he his sincgyfan on þam sæmannum	until he had worthily avenged his treasure-giver
wurðlice wrec, ær he on wæle læge.	upon the seamen, before he himself lay among the slain.
Swa dyde æþeric, æþele gefera,	So too did Ætheric, a noble companion,	280
fus and forðgeorn, feaht eornoste.	eager and resolute, fighting in earnest,
Sibyrhtes broðor and swiðe mænig oþer	Sibyrht's brother, and very many others.
clufon cellod bord, cene hi weredon;	They split the ornamented shields, and boldly defended themselves;
bærst bordes lærig, and seo byrne sang	the rim of the shield burst, and the mail-coat sang
gryreleoða sum. Þa æt guðe sloh	a terrible song. Then in battle
Offa þone sælidan, þæt he on eorðan feoll,	Offa struck the seafarer so that he fell to the earth,
and ðær Gaddes mæg grund gesohte.	and there Gadd's kinsman sought the ground.
Raðe wearð æt hilde Offa forheawen;	Soon Offa was cut down in the battle;
he hæfde ðeah geforþod þæt he his frean gehet,	yet he had fulfilled what he had promised his lord,
swa he beotode ær wið his beahgifan	as he had boasted before to his ring-giver,	290
þæt hi sceoldon begen on burh ridan,	that they would both ride back to the stronghold,
hale to hame, oððe on here crincgan,	safe homeward, or fall among the enemy,
on wælstowe wundum sweltan;	die of their wounds upon the field of slaughter;
he læg ðegenlice ðeodne gehende.	he lay as a thane should, close beside his lord.

Ða wearð borda gebræc. Brimmen wodon,	Then came the breaking of shields. The seamen advanced,
guðe gegremode; gar oft þurhwod	enraged by battle; the spear often pierced
fæges feorhhus. Forð þa eode Wistan,	the life-house of a doomed man. Then Wistan went forward,
þurstanes sunu, wið þas secgas feaht;	Thurstan's son, and fought against the warriors;
he wæs on geþrange hyra þreora bana,	in the press he slew three of them,
ær him Wigelines bearn on þam wæle læge.	before Wigelin's son lay dead among the slain.	300
Þær wæs stið gemot; stodon fæste	There was a fierce encounter; the warriors stood firm
wigan on gewinne, wigend cruncon,	in the struggle, fighters fell,
wundum werige. Wæl feol on eorþan.	weary with wounds. The slain fell upon the earth.
Oswold and Eadwold ealle hwile,	Oswold and Eadwold all the while,
begen þa gebroþru, beornas trymedon,	the two brothers, encouraged the warriors,
hyra winemagas wordon bædon	urging their beloved kinsmen with words
þæt hi þær æt ðearfe þolian sceoldon,	that in this time of need they should endure,
unwaclice wæpna neotan.	and use their weapons without weakness.
Byrhtwold maþelode bord hafenode	Byrhtwold spoke, raising his shield
(se wæs eald geneat), æsc acwehte;	(he was an old retainer), and shook his ash spear;	310
he ful baldlice beornas lærde:	he very boldly instructed the warriors:
"Hige sceal þe heardra, heorte þe cenre,	"Resolve must be the harder, heart the keener,
mod sceal þe mare, þe ure mægen lytlað.	courage must be the greater, as our strength diminishes.
Her lið ure ealdor eall forheawen,	Here lies our lord, entirely cut down,
god on greote. A mæg gnornian	the good man upon the ground. For ever may he mourn
se ðe nu fram þis wigplegan wendan þenceð.	who now thinks of turning away from this battle-play.
Ic eom frod feores; fram ic ne wille,	I am old in years; I will not go from here,
ac ic me be healfe minum hlaforde,	but beside my lord,
be swa leofan men, licgan þence."	beside so beloved a man, I intend to lie."
Swa hi æþelgares bearn ealle bylde,	So Æthelgar's son encouraged them all,	320
Godric to guþe. Oft he gar forlet,	Godric in the battle. Often he let his spear fly,
wælspere windan on þa wicingas,	the deadly weapon whirling among the Vikings;
swa he on þam folce fyrmest eode,	he went foremost among the host,
heow and hynde, oðþæt he on hilde gecranc.	cutting and striking, until he fell in battle.
Næs þæt na se Godric þe ða guðe forbeah …	This was not the Godric who had fled from the fight …