Poems By the Way by William Morris
page 12 of 212 (05%)
page 12 of 212 (05%)
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"Under the stones of the waste," he said.
Quoth one, "The clatter of hoofs anigh." Quoth the other, "Spears against the sky!" "Hither ride men from the Wells apace; Spur we fast to a kindlier place." Down from his horse leapt Hallbiorn straight: "Why should the supper of Odin wait? Weary and chased I will not come To the table of my fathers' home." With that came Snaebiorn, who but he, And twelve in all was his company. Snaebiorn's folk were on their feet; He spake no word as they did meet. They fought upon the northern hill: Five are the howes men see there still. Three men of Snaebiorn's fell to earth And Hallbiorn's twain that were of worth. And never a word did Snaebiorn say, Till Hallbiorn's foot he smote away. Then Hallbiorn cried: "Come, fellow of mine, To the southern bent where the sun doth shine." Tottering into the sun he went, And slew two more upon the bent. And on the bent where dead he lay Three howes do men behold to-day. And never a word spake Snaebiorn yet, Till in his saddle he was set. Nor was there any heard his voice, So many times over comes summer again, Till he came to his ship in Grimsar-oyce. |
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