Hrothgar & Hryllingur, part II

Oct 10, 2024

Welcome to a retelling of Beowulf through the skill of Somhairle na Dagney, Scáeli of Linrathe. (For a fuller explanation, see Part I.)

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Bodies he bore back

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Deep into darkness, his lair, light-lorn,

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Their resting place. Sun and sorrow

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Rose together. Hrothgar sat heart-stricken,

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Helpless to heal.

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Warriors wept for

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brave brethren, hall-guards of Hrothgar

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Taken in terror. Nor was battle stayed.

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Bold with blood-hunger, Hryllingur hunted,

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Dreaded doom-bringer.

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Men fled Heorot,

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Far from its fires, seeking safety.

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Summer, winter; twelve seasons

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Of woe and weeping; no price for peace

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Would Hryllingur honour.

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Murderous and mad,

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Wreaked ruin the moor-monster ,

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Hrothgar’s hall his sullied holt,

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Save the king’s seat, ash-wood and aged;

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A throne god-hallowed.

More next Thursday!

History & Imagination