Forgotten Ground Regained
Epitaph to the Sussex King before Æthelwalch
Sliced asunder -- soul and body -- I'm Woden-rewarded, but weep at the Fates,to remind men ‧ there remains nothing.My deeds are dust dimmed by history.In battle I broke ‧ bold war leaders,by slaughter thwarted ‧ threats to my kingdom.Bard-song shaped ‧ and broadcast my saga
but the poets died out; perished with their words. No Christian scribe ‧ would script their verse.I am fame-stranded. the Fates' betrayal,Rushing with rage ‧ a wretched longing,Lunges breastwards, breaches armour --mail shirt riven ‧ rust red with tears --
a lowly mound, my lone memorial.
This poem first appeared inWinlandes Sagu
Copyright © Martin Vine, 1996
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