“One single retainer
Felt the sorrows of sympathy—that sign of true kinship
Will not wester or waver in a worthy mind”
Coiled Cruelty
“The bold lord Beowulf braved the onslaught,
While that coiled cruelty with cold courage
Was flared for the fight”
Beneath Cliffs of Deep Gray
“His cry was courageous, clear, beneath cliffs of deep gray.
The dragon in the deep heard human danger approach,
And his rage unwrapped, erupting in violence,
No pact of peace here. That pestilent worm
Came out of the cave to conquer a man”
No Coward That One
“Fierce in his fearsome helmet that fighting champion stood,
Trusting in his tested strength, and his last trial faced,
With his blade and buckler he bent low and entered
Under the craggy cliffs—no coward that one!”
As Wyrd May Allow
“And I won’t back away
One step from my station, I will stand to the end
In our war near the wall, as wyrd may allow,
That master of men”
When Dayraven Died
“I fought in the front and fiercely delivered,
Standing steadfast, and so I alway fight
While my blade proves bold and my bravery lasts,
As it has repeatedly proven—profoundly loyal—
Since I dealt out death and Dayraven died,
Felled by my fisted might, that Frankish champion”
Lurking in Lust
“Where breakers dashed the barrow on the bluff near the sea,
A sea that was surging. Inside was the treasure,
Of glittering gold-work—and a glaring dragon,
Fierce and formidable, filled with gold-yearning,
He lurked in his lust”
Cruelty Over the Crags
“Aflame with fierce anger he flew from his barrow,
Cruelty over the crags, a comfortless land,
No one walked in that wilderness, yet for warfare he lusted,
And the blood of battle”
That Serpent and Worm
“That serpent and worm
Found the hoard that was hidden, that heathen gold,
Who, with flaming breath, found the barrow at midnight,
Firedrake, flame-snake, a foul dragon with wings,
Enveloped in vice and fire, the villages below
Fear that fantastic worm”
No One Left
“No liegemen are left, who loved honor and battle,
No hall-joy, high singing, no holding our cups,
Bright with mead blessing. My brave men are lost”