Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/150

134 elsewhere far, as must all men, leaving this lapsing life!—Not long it was ere those champions grimly closed again. The hoard-guard was heartened; high heaved his breast once more; and by peril was pressed again, enfolded in flames, the folk-commander! Nor yet about him his band of comrades, sons of athelings, arméd stood with warlike front: to the woods they bent them, their lives to save. But the soul of one with care was cumbered. Kinship true can never be marred in a noble mind!

 

Wiglaf his name was, Weohstan’s son, linden-thane loved, the lord of Scylfings, Ælfhere’s kinsman. His king he now saw with heat under helmet hard oppressed. He minded the prizes his prince had given him, 