By Lord Janos Katona
Panta’s foam plied our prows; Sails sated by Njord’s breath, Calm currents carried us To light on land, sheltered By shallow sea from strike. On Saxon shores, our band Sought not turmoil or strife! We wished but wealth, to wed Their bounty, take our bite And demand our dividend. Boldly bid Olaf, but Byrhtnoth denied our due, Defied us our Danegeld, Our gold and guarding garb And flared his fangs to fight! Paid they their prosperity, The women of their warriors Would weep not as widows! Warm would be their bedding, Full families still forged. But over-heart made Byrhtnoth bold, The pay he offered paltry: Spear tips and sword blades, Tendered not as tribute But thrust forth as a threat. Tide turned, transformed water To land, led our legion To lay them low, to meet Their mettle with our might And bring fury to our foes. Byrhtnoth brought his brigade: Bare peasants with pikes! But fierce was the fighting Their devotion to duty Full equal to our own. Olaf, blood boiled by battle Begged a boon of Byrhtnoth. “Grant us a gap aground, For greater is the glory You will find from your foes!” | And Byrhtnoth, bold and brave Gave grant to Olaf’s ask! To Saxon soil we strode Full forceful in fighting, With steel and soldiers matched. Now commenced the killing! Warriors wielded wounds. In the pow’r of the press Byrhtnoth did fall, bloodied, Thus reborn in Valhalla! Their leader lost, foes fled! Ranks ran, returned to homes To cower from our clout! Their backs bared, braying as they Huddled low on horses. But the field was not forgone! Still Saxons stood, swords drawn! Faces ferocious, they fought! Loki could let them live. Freja could recast the runes. But Asgaard meddled not with men, Nor stayed the fight afield. Granted we their grave-lust And began their journey to join Their leader in new life. At Viking we were victors, Won the Warriors’ Way. But those who dare defy our might Pay passage through the gate Of eternal meat and mead. |
