Difference between revisions of "1036"

From Roman2Norman
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
This year came hither Alfred the innocent etheling, son of King Ethelred, and wished to visit his mother, who abode at Winchester: but Earl Godwin, and other men who had much power in this land, did not suffer it; because such conduct was very agreeable to Harold, though it was unjust.  
 
This year came hither Alfred the innocent etheling, son of King Ethelred, and wished to visit his mother, who abode at Winchester: but Earl Godwin, and other men who had much power in this land, did not suffer it; because such conduct was very agreeable to Harold, though it was unjust.  
 
<poem>
 
<poem>
Him did Godwin let,
+
::Him did Godwin let,
and in prison set.
+
::and in prison set.
His friends, who did not fly,
+
::His friends, who did not fly,
they slew promiscuously.
+
::they slew promiscuously.
And those they did not sell,
+
::And those they did not sell,
like slaughter'd cattle fell!
+
::like slaughter'd cattle fell!
Whilst some they spared to bind,
+
::Whilst some they spared to bind,
only to wander blind!
+
::only to wander blind!
Some ham-strung, helpless stood,
+
::Some ham-strung, helpless stood,
whilst others they pursued.
+
::whilst others they pursued.
A deed more dreary none
+
::A deed more dreary none
in this our land was done,
+
::in this our land was done,
since Englishmen gave place
+
::since Englishmen gave place
to hordes of Danish race.
+
::to hordes of Danish race.
But repose we must
+
::But repose we must
in God our trust,
+
::in God our trust,
that blithe as day
+
::that blithe as day
with Christ live they,
+
::with Christ live they,
who guiltless died--
+
::who guiltless died--
their country's pride!
+
::their country's pride!
The prince with courage met
+
::The prince with courage met
each cruel evil yet;
+
::each cruel evil yet;
till 'twas decreed,
+
::till 'twas decreed,
they should him lead,
+
::they should him lead,
all bound, as he was then,
+
::all bound, as he was then,
to Ely-bury fen.
+
::to Ely-bury fen.
But soon their royal prize
+
::But soon their royal prize
bereft they of his eyes!
+
::bereft they of his eyes!
Then to the monks they brought
+
::Then to the monks they brought
their captive; where he sought
+
::their captive; where he sought
a refuge from his foes
+
::a refuge from his foes
till life's sad evening close.
+
::till life's sad evening close.
His body ordered then
+
::His body ordered then
these good and holy men,
+
::these good and holy men,
according to his worth,
+
::according to his worth,
low in the sacred earth,
+
::low in the sacred earth,
to the steeple full-nigh,
+
::to the steeple full-nigh,
in the south aisle to lie
+
::in the south aisle to lie
of the transept west:--  
+
::of the transept west:--  
his soul with Christ doth rest.</poem>
+
::his soul with Christ doth rest.</poem>
 
(Ingram, p.121-122)
 
(Ingram, p.121-122)

Latest revision as of 18:29, 12 February 2007

This year came hither Alfred the innocent etheling, son of King Ethelred, and wished to visit his mother, who abode at Winchester: but Earl Godwin, and other men who had much power in this land, did not suffer it; because such conduct was very agreeable to Harold, though it was unjust. <poem>

Him did Godwin let,
and in prison set.
His friends, who did not fly,
they slew promiscuously.
And those they did not sell,
like slaughter'd cattle fell!
Whilst some they spared to bind,
only to wander blind!
Some ham-strung, helpless stood,
whilst others they pursued.
A deed more dreary none
in this our land was done,
since Englishmen gave place
to hordes of Danish race.
But repose we must
in God our trust,
that blithe as day
with Christ live they,
who guiltless died--
their country's pride!
The prince with courage met
each cruel evil yet;
till 'twas decreed,
they should him lead,
all bound, as he was then,
to Ely-bury fen.
But soon their royal prize
bereft they of his eyes!
Then to the monks they brought
their captive; where he sought
a refuge from his foes
till life's sad evening close.
His body ordered then
these good and holy men,
according to his worth,
low in the sacred earth,
to the steeple full-nigh,
in the south aisle to lie
of the transept west:--
his soul with Christ doth rest.</poem>

(Ingram, p.121-122)