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Danube. We procured ample entertainment for the eagle in that slaughter. fell in the ocean of wounds. A host of men there lost their lives.

Bloody sweat

We fought with swords: we enjoyed the fight, when we sent the inhabitants of Helsing to the Hall of Odin. We sailed up the Vistula. Then the sword acquired spoils : the whole ocean was one wound: the earth grew red with reeking gore: the sword grinned at the coats of mail: the sword cleft the shields asunder.

We fought with swords: I well remember that no one fled that day into the battle, before in the ships Herauder fell. There does not a fairer warrior divide the ocean with his vessels. ... This prince ever brought to the battle a gallant heart.

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We fought with swords: the army cast away their shields. Then flew the spear to the breast of the warriors. The sword in the fight cut the very rocks; the shield was all besmeared with blood, before king Rafno fell, our foe. The warm sweat ran down from the heads on the coats of mail.

We fought with swords, before the isles of Indir. We gave ample prey for the ravens to rend in pieces; a banquet for the wild beasts that feed on flesh. At that time all were valiant ; it were difficult to single out any one. At the rising of the sun, I saw the lances pierce; the bows darted the arrows from them.

We fought with swords: loud was the din of arms, before King Eistin fell in the field. Thence, enriched with golden spoils, we marched to fight in the land of Vals. There the sword cut the painted shields. In the meeting of helmets, the blood ran from the cloven skulls of men.

We fought with swords, before Boring-holmi. We held bloody shields: we stained our spears. Showers of arrows brake the shield in pieces. The bow sent forth the glittering steel. Volnir fell in the conflict, than whom there was not a greater king. Wide on the shores lay the scattered dead: the wolves rejoiced over their prey.

We fought with swords, in the Flemings' land: the battle widely raged before king Freyr fell therein. The blue steel all reeking with blood fell on the golden mail. Many a virgin bewailed the slaughter of that morning. The beasts of prey had ample spoil.

We fought with swords, before Ainglanes. There saw I thousands lie dead in the ships: we sailed to the battle for six days before the army fell. There we celebrated a mass of weapons. At the rising of the sun Valdiofur fell before our swords.

We fought with swords, at Bardafurda. A shower of blood rained from our weapons. Headlong fell the pallid corpse, a prey for the hawks. The bow gave a twanging sound. The blade sharply bit the coats of mail: it bit the helmet in the fight. The arrow sharp with poison and all besprinkled with bloody sweat ran to the wound.

We fought with swords, before the bay of Hiadning. We held aloft magic shields in the play of battle. Then might you see men, who rent shields with their swords. The helmets were shattered in the murmur of the warriors. The pleasure of that day was like having a fair virgin placed beside one in bed.

We fought with swords, in the Northumbrian land. A furious storm descended on the shields many a lifeless body fell to the earth. It was about the time of the morning when the foe was compelled to fly in the battle. There the sword sharply bit the polished helmet. The pleasure of that day was like kissing a young widow at the highest seat of the table.

We fought with swords, in the isles of the south. There Herthiofe proved victorious: there died many of our valiant warriors. In the shower of arms Rogvaldur fell: I lost In the play of arms came the deadly spear: his lofty crest was dyed with gore. The birds of prey bewailed his fall: they lost him that prepared them banquets.

my son.

We fought with swords, in the Irish plains. The bodies of the warriors lay intermingled. The hawks rejoiced at the play of swords. The Irish king did not act the part of the Eagle... Great was the conflict of sword and shield. King Marstan was killed in the bay he was given a prey to the hungry ravens.

We fought with swords: the spear resounded, the banners shone on the coats of mail. I saw many a warrior fall in the morning: many a hero in the contention of arms. Here the 48

Essays

sword reached betimes the heart of my son: it was Egill deprived Agnar of life. a youth who knew not fear.

He was

We fought with swords, at Skioldunga. We kept our words: we carved out with our weapons a plenteous banquet for the wolves of the sea (the fishes). The ships were all besmeared with crimson, as if for many days the maidens had brought and poured forth wine. All rent was the mail in the clash of arms.

We fought with swords, when Harold fell. I saw him struggling in the twilight of death; that young chief so proud of his flowing locks: he who spent his mornings among the young maidens: he who loved to converse with the handsome widows.

We fought with swords: we fought three kings in the isle of Lindis. Few had reason to rejoice that day. Many fell into the jaws of the wild beasts. The hawk and the wolf tore the flesh of the dead: they departed glutted with prey. The blood of the Irish fell plentifully into the ocean, during the time of slaughter.

We fought with swords, at the isle of Onlug. The uplifted weapon bit the shields. The gilded lance grated on the mail. The traces of that fight will be seen for ages. There kings marched up to the play of arms. The shores of the sea were stained with blood. The lances appeared like flying dragons. We fought with swords. Death is the happy portion of the brave; for he stands the foremost against the storm of weapons. He, who flies from danger, often bewails his miserable life. Yet how difficult is it to rouse up a coward to the play of arms! The dastard feels no heart in his bosom.

We fought with swords. Young men should march up to the conflict of arms: man should meet man, and never give way. In this hath always consisted the nobility of the warrior. He who aspires to the love of his mistress, ought to be dauntless in the clash of

arms.

We fought with swords. Now I find for certain that we are drawn along by fate. Who can evade the decrees of destiny? Could I have thought the conclusion of my life reserved for Ella, when almost expiring I shed torrents of blood? When I launched forth with my ships into the deep? When in the Scottish gulfs I gained large spoils for the wolves? We fought with swords; this fills me still with joy, because I know a banquet is preparing by the father of the Gods. Soon in the splendid Hall of Odin, we shall drink beer out of the skulls of our enemies. A brave man sinks not at death. I shall utter no repining words, as I approach the palace of the Gods.

We fought with swords: Oh that the sons of Aslauga + knew! Oh that my children knew the sufferings of their father! that numerous serpents, filled with poison, tear me to pieces! Soon would they be here: soon would they wage bitter war with their swords. I gave a mother to my children, from whom they inherit a valiant heart.

We fought with swords. Now I touch on my last moments. I receive a deadly hurt from the viper. A serpent inhabits the hall of my heart. Soon shall my sons black their swords in the blood of Ella. They wax red with fury; they burn with rage. Those gallant youths will not rest till they have avenged their father. We fought with swords.

Battles fifty and one have been fought under my banners. From my early youth I learnt to dye my sword in crimson: I never yet could find a king more valiant than myself. The Gods now invite me to them. Death is not to be lamented. "Tis with joy I cease. The goddesses of destiny are come to fetch me. Odin hath sent them from the habitation of the Gods. I shall be joyfully received into the highest seat, I shall quaff full goblets among the Gods. The hours of my life are passed away. I die laughing.

↑ Aslauga was the second wife of Regner.

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379

GRIMBALD'S

CRYPT.

The church of St. Peter's, in the city of Oxford, is one of the oldest in England, and exhibits architectural remains of different ages, of much interest to the antiquary. Beneath it is an old and venerable crypt, commonly called 'Grimbald's crypt,' supposed to have been built by Grimbald in the reign. of King Alfred the Great. Dr. Ingram, in his Memorials of Oxford, gives the following account of it:

The Crypt, commonly called Grimbald's Crypt, after all the controversies and criticisms to which the name of Grimbald has given birth, still continues an interesting object of curiosity to antiquaries and architects; nor is there any reason to doubt that it was built before the Norman Conquest. In its general style, it very much resembles the vaulted crypt of Winchester Cathedral; which is attributed to St. Ethelwold; and the oldest part of Canterbury Crypt, which is undoubtedly earlier than the time of Lanfranc. It contains two rows of short pillars, ranging from east to west, and two of square pilasters attached to the main walls. Each row consists of four pillars, the capitals of which are well executed, two being ornamented with some curious sculptures. The vaulting is composed of semicircular arches of hewn stone; which, according to Hearne, was brought from an old quarry, disused since Henry IIId's reign, behind South Hinksey. The present entrance to the crypt is through a large buttress, which, though of great age, is obviously much more recent than the chancel. There are traces of two other entrances; one at the west end, and another on the north side; from the latter was a winding staircase, leading into the chancel above. Over one of the doors, which are square-headed, is a transom-stone having a semicircle carved upon it. At the east end there appears to have been an altar. The crypt is thirty-six feet long, twenty feet ten inches wide, and nine feet high.

"The present crypt," adds Dr. Ingram in a note, " has been generally considered by those antiquaries who have paid the greatest attention to the subject, to be the original one here

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