Forgotten Ground Regained
Hengest Wants War Companions
Originally published in Withowinde 164, p. 41, Decembe 2012.
From sea’s shores and sandy beachesThey will gather, from groves and grimy hovelsFrom fallow fields, from failing cropsFrom wild, wolf-haunted woodlands they shall comeFrom hurst and holt where unhallowed things dwell.
The farmer puts aside his plough at this callThe fisher forgoes the flinging of netsChildren and wives they willingly leaveKnowing that others may elsewhere be found.
Hengest the homeless horselord summons themTo overcome an island – England not yet its name –Eager and heedful they own him their lordKnown as the warmaker, widest in fame,Whose oath, once forgotten, was owned anewWhen the naked weapon awoke in his handSwept and slashed – his sworn word he kept.
With mast and oar they will meet the wavesWith sword and shield they will shatter foesWith boar-helms and byrnies they will bear off wealthWith spells and charms they will cherish their cropsFrom fables and lore they will forge a new storyWide woods and fields they will win for their kinWhile cities’ ghost-filled gates they will shun.
For harrying of halls Hengest calls themFor sacking and slaughter, for sating of lustFor beer-drunken boasting, for burial of friends.
Hengest cannot know that the hall-thanes he leadsWill thrive and flourish, flower down the agesFrom shack to meadhall, from shire to kingdom,Wield the widest of world’s empiresKindle the brightest of bards and singersWriters of words, wakers of strife,Stirrers of hearts, stillers of woe.
Hengest knows not that needful is his comingThat I may set down the seaman’s story.
Editor's Note:
Inspred by Jorge Luis Borgen's poem, Hengest Wants Men (see also here)
Copyright © Steve Pollington, 2012
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