Then arose an alarm; the ravens soared, The eagle eager for prey; on earth was commotion. Then sped from their hands the hardened spears, Flew in fury file-sharpened darts; 110 Bows were busy, boards met javelins, Cruel was the conflict; in companies they fell; On every hand lay heaps of youths. Wulfmere was woefully wounded to death, Slaughtered the sister's son of Byrhtnoth; 115 With swords he was strongly stricken to earth. To the vikings quickly requital was given; I learned that Edward alone attacked Stoutly with his sword, not stinting his blows, So that fell at his feet many fated invaders; 120 For his prowess the prince gave praise and thanks To his chamberlain brave, when chance would permit. So firm of purpose they fought in their turn, Young men in battle; they yearned especially To lead their line with the least delay 125 To fight their foes in fatal conflict, Warriors with weapons. The world seethed with slaughter. Steadfast they stood, stirred up by Byrhtnoth; He bade his thanes to think on battle, And fight for fame with the foemen Danes. 130 The fierce warrior went, his weapon he raised, His shield for a shelter; to the soldier he came; The chief to the churl a challenge addressed; Each to the other had evil intent. The seamen then sent from the south a spear, 135 So that wounded lay the lord of the warriors; He shoved with his shield till the shaft was broken, And burst the spear till back it sprang. Enraged was the daring one; he rushed with his dart On the wicked warrior who had wounded him sore. 140 Sage was the soldier; he sent his javelin Through the grim youth's neck; he guided his hand And furiously felled his foeman dead. Straightway another he strongly attacked, And burst his burnie; in his breast he wounded him. 145 Through his hard coat-of-mail; in his heart there stood The poisoned point. Pleased was the earl, Loudly he laughed, to the Lord he gave thanks For the deeds of the day the Redeemer had granted. A hostile youth hurled from his hand a dart; 150 The spear in flight then sped too far, And the honorable earl of Aethelred fell. By his side there stood a stripling youth, A boy in battle who boldly drew The bloody brand from the breast of his chief. 155 The young Wulfmere, Wulfstan's son, Gave back again the gory war-lance; The point pierced home, so that prostrate lay The Viking whose valor had vanquished the earl. To the earl then went an armed warrior; 160 He sought to snatch and seize his rings,