Episode 41 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCCDECFACGHEEICJFEE AKCECCLIMCNICOECACNM CCCCACHFCCAFP QRPAFCAACCAKAFCEKSEC TCUIVIACI AIAACCACCEEUICATEDAA AESCTIECIC

THE bloody swath of Swedes and GeatsA
and the storm of their strife were seen afarB
how folk against folk the fight had wakenedC
The ancient king with his atheling bandC
sought his citadel sorrowing muchD
Ongentheow earl went up to his burgE
He had tested Hygelac's hardihoodC
the proud one's prowess would prove it no longerF
defied no more those fighting wanderersA
nor hoped from the seamen to save his hoardC
his bairn and his bride so he bent him againG
old to his earth walls Yet after him cameH
with slaughter for Swedes the standards of HygelacE
o'er peaceful plains in pride advancingE
till Hrethelings fought in the fenced townI
Then Ongentheow with edge of swordC
the hoary bearded was held at bayJ
and the folk king there was forced to sufferF
Eofor's anger In ire at the kingE
Wulf Wonreding with weapon struckE
and the chieftain's blood for that blow in streamsA
flowed 'neath his hair No fear felt heK
stout old Scylfing but straightway repaidC
in better bargain that bitter strokeE
and faced his foe with fell intentC
Nor swift enough was the son of WonredC
answer to render the aged chiefL
too soon on his head the helm was clovenI
blood bedecked he bowed to earthM
and fell adown not doomed was he yetC
and well he waxed though the wound was soreN
Then the hardy Hygelac thaneI
when his brother fell with broad brand smoteC
giants' sword crashing through giants' helmO
across the shield wall sank the kingE
his folk's old herdsman fatally hurtC
There were many to bind the brother's woundsA
and lift him fast as fate allowedC
his people to wield the place of warN
But Eofor took from OngentheowM
earl from other the iron breastplateC
hard sword hilted and helmet tooC
and the hoar chief's harness to Hygelac carriedC
who took the trappings and truly promisedC
rich fee 'mid folk and fulfilled it soA
For that grim strife gave the Geatish lordC
Hrethel's offspring when home he cameH
to Eofor and Wulf a wealth of treasureF
Each of them had a hundred thousandC
in land and linked rings nor at less price reckonedC
mid earth men such mighty deedsA
And to Eofor he gave his only daughterF
in pledge of grace the pride of his homeP
-
Such is the feud the foeman's rageQ
death hate of men so I deem it sureR
that the Swedish folk will seek us homeP
for this fall of their friends the fighting ScylfingsA
when once they learn that our warrior leaderF
lifeless lies who land and hoardC
ever defended from all his foesA
furthered his folk's weal finished his courseA
a hardy hero Now haste is bestC
that we go to gaze on our Geatish lordC
and bear the bountiful breaker of ringsA
to the funeral pyre No fragments merelyK
shall burn with the warrior Wealth of jewelsA
gold untold and gained in terrorF
treasure at last with his life obtainedC
all of that booty the brands shall takeE
fire shall eat it No earl must carryK
memorial jewel No maiden fairS
shall wreathe her neck with noble ringE
nay sad in spirit and shorn of her goldC
oft shall she pass o'er paths of exileT
now our lord all laughter has laid asideC
all mirth and revel Many a spearU
morning cold shall be clasped amainI
lifted aloft nor shall lilt of harpV
those warriors wake but the wan hued ravenI
fain o'er the fallen his feast shall praiseA
and boast to the eagle how bravely he ateC
when he and the wolf were wasting the slainI
-
So he told his sorrowful tidingsA
and little he lied the loyal manI
of word or of work The warriors roseA
sad they climbed to the Cliff of EaglesA
went welling with tears the wonder to viewC
Found on the sand there stretched at restC
their lifeless lord who had lavished ringsA
of old upon them Ending dayC
had dawned on the doughty one death had seizedC
in woful slaughter the Weders' kingE
There saw they besides the strangest beingE
loathsome lying their leader nearU
prone on the field The fiery dragonI
fearful fiend with flame was scorchedC
Reckoned by feet it was fifty measuresA
in length as it lay Aloft erewhileT
it had revelled by night and anon come backE
seeking its den now in death's sure clutchD
it had come to the end of its earth hall joysA
By it there stood the stoups and jarsA
dishes lay there and dear decked swordsA
eaten with rust as on earth's lap restingE
a thousand winters they waited thereS
For all that heritage huge that goldC
of bygone men was bound by a spellT
so the treasure hall could be touched by noneI
of human kind save that Heaven's KingE
God himself might give whom he wouldC
Helper of Heroes the hoard to openI
even such a man as seemed to him meetC

Anonymous Olde English



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