Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/184

168 . . . The day is come when to one or other thy way must lead,— loss of life, or lasting glory ever with earth-dwellers, Ælfhere’s son! Nowise can my words bewail, O friend, that ever I saw thee, when swords were at play, shamefully shrink from shock of battle with warrior foe, and flee to the wall to shield thy body,—though blades enow hewed on thy harness from hostile throng! Nay, further ever the fight thou hast urged, and I feared thy fate, so far thy venture, lest thou too wildly shouldst war, and seek, in clash of contest, combat mortal with another man. Have mind now on honor, on glory of war, while God is with thee! Fear not for the brand: the bravest of weapons, ’twas given to help us ! On Guthhere, therefore, beat down his boast; this battle he sought, and stirred up strife in spite of justice; the sword he claimed, and the caskets of treasure, wealth of rings: now, wanting them all he shall flee from this fight to find his lord, hasten homeward, or here shall he die if he. ..