WIGLAF his name was, Weohstan’s son,

linden-thane loved, the lord of Scylfings,

Aelfhere’s kinsman. His king he now saw

with heat under helmet hard oppressed.

He minded the prizes his prince had given him,

wealthy seat of the Waegmunding line,

and folk-rights that his father owned

Not long he lingered. The linden yellow,

his shield, he seized; the old sword he drew:—

as heirloom of Eanmund earth-dwellers knew it,

who was slain by the sword-edge, son of Ohtere,

friendless exile, erst in fray

killed by Weohstan, who won for his kin

brown-bright helmet, breastplate ringed,

old sword of Eotens, Onela’s gift,

weeds of war of the warrior-thane,

battle-gear brave: though a brother’s child

had been felled, the feud was unfelt by Onela. 99

For winters this war-gear Weohstan kept,

breastplate and board, till his bairn had grown

earlship to earn as the old sire did:

then he gave him, mid Geats, the gear of battle,

portion huge, when he passed from life,

fared aged forth. For the first time now

with his leader-lord the liegeman young

was bidden to share the shock of battle.

Neither softened his soul, nor the sire’s bequest

weakened in war. 100 So the worm found out

when once in fight the foes had met!

Wiglaf spake, — and his words were sage;

sad in spirit, he said to his comrades:—

“I remember the time, when mead we took,

what promise we made to this prince of ours

in the banquet-hall, to our breaker-of-rings,

for gear of combat to give him requital,

for hard-sword and helmet, if hap should bring

stress of this sort! Himself who chose us

from all his army to aid him now,

urged us to glory, and gave these treasures,

because he counted us keen with the spear

and hardy ’neath helm, though this hero-work

our leader hoped unhelped and alone

to finish for us, — folk-defender

who hath got him glory greater than all men

for daring deeds! Now the day is come

that our noble master has need of the might

of warriors stout. Le............