Dragons -- Poetry; Epic poetry, English (Old); Monsters -- Poetry
[2] For 'eafor' (2153), Kl. suggests 'ealdor.' Translate then: _Bade
the prince then to bear in the banner, battle-high helmet, etc_. On
the other hand, W. takes 'eaforhéafodsegn' as a compound, meaning
'helmet': _He bade them bear in the helmet, battle-high helm, gray
armor, etc_.
[3] The H.-So. rendering (ærest = _history, origin_; 'eft' for 'est'),
though liable to objection, is perhaps the best offered. 'That I
should very early tell thee of his favor, kindness' sounds well; but
'his' is badly placed to limit 'ést.'--Perhaps, 'eft' with verbs of
saying may have the force of Lat. prefix 're,' and the H.-So. reading
mean, 'that I should its origin rehearse to thee.'
XXXII.
THE HOARD AND THE DRAGON.
* * * * * * *
He sought of himself who sorely did harm him,
But, for need very pressing, the servant of one of
The sons of the heroes hate-blows evaded,
5 Seeking for shelter and the sin-driven warrior
Took refuge within there. He early looked in it,
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
[76] * * * * * * when the onset surprised him,
{The hoard.}
10 He a gem-vessel saw there: many of suchlike
Ancient ornaments in the earth-cave were lying,
As in days of yore some one of men of
Illustrious lineage, as a legacy monstrous,
There had secreted them, careful and thoughtful,
15 Dear-valued jewels. Death had offsnatched them,
In the days of the past, and the one man moreover
Of the flower of the folk who fared there the longest,
Was fain to defer it, friend-mourning warder,
A little longer to be left in enjoyment
20 Of long-lasting treasure.[1] A barrow all-ready
Stood on the plain the stream-currents nigh to,
New by the ness-edge, unnethe of approaching:
The keeper of rings carried within a
[2]Ponderous deal of the treasure of nobles,
25 Of gold that was beaten, briefly he spake then:[3]
{The ring-giver bewails the loss of retainers.}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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