Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/127

Rh liegeman leal and their lives as well. Then, over the ale, on this heirloom gazing, some ash-wielder old who has all in mind that spear-death of men, —he is stern of mood, heavy at heart,—in the hero young tests the temper and tries the soul and war-hate wakens, with words like these:— Canst thou not, comrade, ken that sword which to the fray thy father carried in his final feud, ’neath the fighting-mask, dearest of blades, when the Danish slew him and wielded the war-place on Withergild’s fall, after havoc of heroes, those hardy Scyldings? Now, the son of a certain slaughtering Dane, proud of his treasure, paces this hall, joys in the killing, and carries the jewel that rightfully ought to he owned by thee! Thus he urges and eggs him all the time with keenest words, till occasion offers that Freawaru’s thane, for his father’s deed, after bite of brand in his blood must slumber,