302.

[3] Lit., 'cough.'

[4] So Gn. and Kr.; 'with violence,' Sw.; 'with afflictions,'
C.

[5] So Sw. and Kr.; 'Of the hostile shield-warriors,' Gn. and
C.

[6] i.e., 'spirited.'




ATHELSTAN,

OR

THE FIGHT AT BRUNANBURH.


Æthelstan King, of earls the lord,
Of heroes ring-giver, and his brother too,
Edmund Ætheling, enduring fame
Earned in the fight with edges of swords
By Brunanburh. The board-wall they cleaved, 5
The war-shields hewed with leavings of hammers
The sons of Edward. 'Twas natural to them
By right of descent that in battle they oft