The Wanderer Ptur Kntsson peregrinatio pro amore dei

The Wanderer Pétur Knútsson

peregrinatio pro amore dei

the wise words of his beloved lord

Battle of Maldon (Essex) 991. . . Byrhtwold maþelode, bord hafenode (se wæs eald geneat), æsc acwehte. He ful baldlice beornas lærde: ‘Hige sceal þe heardra, heorte þe cenre, mod sceal þe mare, þe ure mægen lytlað. Her lið ure ealdor eall forheawen, god on greote. A mæg gnornian se ðe nu fram þis wigplegan wendan þenceð. Ic eom frod feores; fram ic ne wille, ac ic me be healfe minum hlaforde, be swa leofan men, licgan þence. ’. . . Byrhtwold made a speech, raised his shield (he was an old retainer), shook his ash-spear. He exhorted the warriors very boldly: ‘Mind must be harder, heart keener, spirit must be greater as our strength diminishes. Here our leader lies all cut down, a good man in the dirt. He who thinks to turn away from this battle-play now will always be able to lament it. I am experienced in life; I do not desire to go, but I intend to lay myself down by the side of my lord, by so dear a man. ’

the dear one

Beowulf 2455 He gazes sorrowfully at his son’s dwelling the banquet hall bereft of all delight, the windswept hearthstone; the horsemen are sleeping the warriors underground; what was is no more, No tunes from the harp, no cheer raised in the yard.

apart