Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/123

Rh by wrath and lying his life should reave! But Hemming’s kinsman hindered this.— For over their ale men also told that of these folk-horrors fewer she wrought, onslaughts of evil, after she went, gold-decked bride, to the brave young prince, atheling haughty, and Offa’s hall o’er the fallow flood at her father’s bidding safely sought, where since she prospered, royal, thronéd, rich in goods, fain of the fair life fate had sent her, and leal in love to the lord of warriors. He, of all heroes I heard of ever from sea to sea, of the sons of earth, most excellent seemed. Hence Offa was praised for his fighting and feeing by far-off men, the spear-bold warrior; wisely he ruled over his empire. Eomer woke to him, help of heroes, Hemming’s kinsman, grandson of Garmund, grim in war.

 

Hastened the hardy one, henchmen with him, sandy strand of the sea to tread and widespread ways. The world’s great candle, sun shone from south. They strode along 