Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/88

72 then edge of the sword must seal his doom. Oaths were given, and ancient gold heaped from hoard.—The hardy Scylding, battle-thane best, on his balefire lay. All on the pyre were plain to see the gory sark, the gilded swine-crest, boar of hard iron, and athelings many slain by the sword: at the slaughter they fell. It was Hildeburh’s hest, at Hnæf’s own pyre the bairn of her body on brands to lay, his bones to burn, on the balefire placed, at his uncle’s side. In sorrowful dirges be wept them the woman: great wailing ascended. Then wound up to welkin the wildest of death-fires, roared o’er the hillock: heads all were melted,