1. Sing, oh magnificent muse, Mnemosyne
of the tragic triumph terrific and true.
Move my mind to make me mutter
in this terse text the terrific tale
of the mythic monarchs methinks misadvised,
were tempted and tried. Tire not
and maintain my memory misty
for I sing to His grace, stupendous and sublime.
I talk to tame the tattered truth
of His Son whose sins brought Salvation
to the tattered tribes of the teacher Tacitus,
so in Your sovereign safety they shall survive.
2. From Asgard arose the ancient Odin
to bring forth a babe both brave and bright.
Of auspicious order ought such a child
be born into the burdens and blessings of
such aristocratic askings, that are
brought on because of one’s noble breeding.
This offspring of Odin arose, an atheling
labeled Rhenus, a leader and lord
both brutal and benevolent. Beckoned
to his laudable lot in life:
both a battle-friend and bequeather of
largess, all lords should liberally lavish.
3. In the happy mead-hall heroes, hardy,
courageous and combative came to partake
of the hearty feast their hefty chieftain
would bequeath. A banquet for a bunch
who’s honorable heroes, harmed, hand to hand
Foes. Encrusted and close knit, these kinsmen
held up the honor of the high held
Rhenus. Scops sang songs of strength,
while naked the swords were kept by the company;
whose blades were bathed in the blood of the beaten.
But crushing craft was kept for the Valkyries cries,
as the sweet hops satiated the soldiers.
4. But alas, as often occurs
good times give way to great grief.
An honorless offspring from horrible
rage begotten–a giant Gottkind
drew blood and lay low those who
guarded the glory of Rhenus’s great
Nation. So with loud howls and moans
the ruined and ravaged sought to relate
how gruesome was Gottkind who
plundered and ravaged, robbing the warriors
of their gold and grand glory.
For the ravens had reaped a great reward.
5. So the courageous and conquering king,
assumed his aureate armor and arms
to kill that cowardly creature.
And from the hall on an awesome horse
The heroic king came to attack
the awful origins of the agony.
His countenance was quite terrific in scale,
the sun shuddered so strong did he stand,
and on the atheling advanced to
his task. So seeking out the slayer
he found his awful adversary
sleeping by the stolen riches he had seized.
6. “I shall lay you low, you lecherous vandal!”
cried out the king to the creature who
looked and laughed at the laudable lord,
courageous and kind, “Come and condemn
yourself to the ravens and wolves!”
“You come to kill me, but can’t you see
the lifeless multitudes who lay at my feet?”
mocked the malevolent monster.
“Your time has come to be killed
so I may restore the merriment and mirth
you have taken away by cowardly
murdering my men!” proclaimed the king.
7. Naked flashed the king’s terrific sword
and forward he struck, onward
to kill the coward, Gottkind who
was awful and unmanly. Towards
the courageous king the creature came.
Much blood was strewn across the meadow
and the swords clashed with clanging until
Rhenus’s mighty strength struck
the ogre’s throat. Off flew that
malevolent head, vomiting a serum
that obscured the lord’s armor,
in a mean maroon blemish.
8. Gathering up the gold and gear
of the dead the destroyer Rhenus did
also get the great dagger of Gottkind.
All to distribute to the descendants of
the distinguished who gained glory
defending the descendant of Odin
who gave to them gifts good and great.
Upon his horse he mounted
and galloped glorious through grassy glen
to hall now secure from dastardly
and destructive dealings of the dead
Gottkind, now the food of wolves.
9. There in restored merriment of the court
Rhenus gave to the kin great gifts
rich and well-wrought. And the beer
was imbibed to the kinsmen’s bliss,
while poets caroled to the courage
of the king, who sat in dais on high.
Raucous rejoicing and reverie
was had that day, that I can say!
Hind and mutton did revive
a clamorous company who cowered
in awe of their dignified king,
grand Rhenus, glorious and gracious!
10. So the hall was appropriately restored
where hale heroes, hefty and hardy
honored their lord. The court
did rejoice for Rhenus had
brought them wealth and they were prosperous.
The heroes all honorable and
strong, brought glory to their lord
and in his honor fought hand to hand
the foes who stood to harm.
But Schlingdasgeu had no heir to hold
his lordly lands. So of noble blood
he took a wife honest and true.
11. Soon it was found a son would be sent
to bear the battle-friend and become
a sovereign receiver of the scop’s songs.
Growing big and broad the bold
Schlingdasgeu’s strong wife carried the son
until born in a bath of blood
the child, strong and smart, with spear in hand
came forth into Middangeard
and for his bravery he would bear
the honor and the name: Higelaf.
Born on Odin’s day he was to be
a noble child, honest and true!
12. Higelaf was raised as it was
in those days of honor and courage
learning the art of arms and armor
often encrusted in the blood
of slain foes and cowardly men.
He carried himself as a future king ought
While his father cared for affairs of state
Soon the noble and strong queen
was again great with child,
A daughter was born of most worthy blood
fair and strong she was a true
child of the Rhenusware, daughter of Schlingdasgeu!
13. Nearby there lived another noble
king of honorable stature
the heroic Heretheow, son of
Guthgisli, the great good and grand
Heretheow had led the Heathensware
to many a glorious and great victory.
Happy was their mead-hall!
Heretheow was fabled for his gifts
and his spears were well-encrusted.
But the Heretheow needed an heir
to carry on his noble name
so that the Heathensware should survive.
14. Now Schlingdasgeu honoring the lord
of the Heathensware strove to seal
a peace in blood between the two clans.
So Helwine, the daughter
of Schlingdasgeu was wed with the
warrior and watchman. A great feast was fed
and much mirth was made.
But the happiness was hollow
for the seers foresaw
the fall of a forceful and courageous
king who would be betrayed by
his own blood and breed.
15. Heretheow stayed with the Rhenusware
and during this time the death
of the honest and honorable
Schlingdasgeu. There was much lamenting
So the courageous champion, Higelaf
took the throne and the truth reigned.
Now unto Higelaf was born
a son, strong and smart,
his father sprinkled his head with water
and named him Barbaros.
Higelaf’s wife, honest and true,
left to show the child to her parents.
16. In the happy hall of the Heathensware
there was much amiss! Alas
Helwine was unhappy with her state
her mind moved to do deeds
both wrong and wrathful to her kin
So as her husband lay lost in slumber
She whispered words into his ear,
and being unawares his mind did move
to listen. She longed to live
in the hall of her honorable father,
tempting Heretheow with the riches
of Gottkind and great glory.
17. Thus with evil thoughts did
Heretheow conspired to kill
the courageous and cunning
Higelaf, that great king.
So sneaking into his chambers
Heretheow struck while the other slept.
With crushing strength his head was severed
on his rule thus ended Heretheow
assumed the throne. But there was little joy
for the Rhenusware were wronged.
But Heretheow granted
many stolen gifts to the great warriors.
18. Now a loyal thrall neither cowardly
nor weak managed to elude
the many soldiers of the new lord.
With cunning and kind wit
he brought the royal Ring of his true lord
to the wife of Higelaf who was worried
for she knew of her husband’s doom.
So she stayed for fear of death
and to avenge her husband’s slaughter.
Her son and her would be safe
in the home of her birth
For the people were noble and good.
19. Unto Helwine were born
a pair of children, who
were not as strong nor smart
as the true blood of the Rhenusware.
A son named Hrothlac
A daughter named Hausfrau
did seem to be together as strong
as the now dead Higelaf at birth.
But they were to be raised
one by the sword
the other by the spindle
in the once happy mead-hall.
20. Now Barbaros was raised
to know of his task and duty.
His mother had given to that great son
the Ring of his once noble father.
By the sword, bathed in blood
did he learn, slaying many,
his skills were tried and true.
His courage and glory were known to all
in his adopted land. Blessed by Odin
he grew in strength until none
could he not best. Broad and bold
he was ready to seek revenge.
21. Off Barbaros set leaving his mother behind
and journeyed to either be joyous
or join the heroes in Odin’s hall
While traveling through a dark woods
he came upon an old, cloaked man
“You will be victorious but be advised
you will not survive.” spoke the traveler.
Barbaros wondered and thought to ask
but when he looked again the man had left.
So on he went courageous and true
to avenge his family and restore his name.
Planning carefully he would use his wit!
22. Watching his father’s hall he studied
the habits of the traitorous Heretheow.
Daily would he go hunting,
so Barbaros slew a fine buck
and kept the skin, thus disguising himself.
The next morn just after sunrise
Heretheow went and saw this buck
Barbaros acted swiftly and slew,
bathing his sword in swaths of blood.
But Helwine and the young twins
were in the same woods and she saw
so away she ran to seek refuge.
23. Thus was peace restored a great feast was made
to honor Barbaros’ fine victory
The scops sang as before
when sovereign Schlingdasgeu
and the noble Higelaf did rule.
Both brutal and benevolent
was the new lord. Happiness and mirth
echoed through the hall, and heroes
now swore to uphold the honor
of their new king. Upon the wall
was hung the head of Heretheow
so all could remember and now rejoice.
24. So the hall was thus restored
and the heroes, hefty and hardy
honored their lord. The court
was happy for Barbaros had
brought them wealth and they were prosperous.
The heroes all honorable and
strong, brought glory to their lord
and in his honor fought hand to hand
the foes who stood to harm.
But Barbaros had no heir to hold
his lordly lands. So of noble blood
he married the noble Hygelac.
25. One night as Hygelac lay lost in slumber
she dreamt of a great hawk
floating over a gruesome field
filled with the fallen bodies of the slain.
The hawk was armored in gold and silver
and his feathers were wildly radiant
The hawk landed to survey
the field, but alas! A wolf leapt
upon him from behind.
The hawk fought valiantly with strength
and courage but it she knew
he was doomed and died.
26. Now it is said that Hygelac bore two sons
who grew to be strong and courageous
being both of noble birth.
The third child was unlike the first
for he was born and struck by
the hammer of Thor turning his
dark hair to a radiant gold
which shone bright as the sun.
He was named Anaxtheow
being both strong and honorable.
He and his brothers grew and learned
as it was in those days, by the sword.
27. Hygelac was proud of her three sons
for she knew they were of good blood.
She taught and raised them well,
but her affection was lavished upon
Anaxtheow, who excelled in all
his endeavors and who grew
quickly in strength and mind.
He stood above his brothers
at least a head and he could carry
the sword before he was weaned.
His golden hair grew long and flowing
and his deeds were all noble and worthy.
28. Now having been banished from the
happy hall their father had stolen
Helwine wandered until her death
when her children were strong
came to a pair of hills, and Hausfrau
having lain with Hrothlac gave birth
to a son who brought together the blood
of his parentage. Tacitucyn
was he named and at birth
he was bitten by a mad wolf.
After this birth, Hrothlac set off to avenge
Heretheow’s death and regain honor.
29. One day as Anaxtheow and Hygelac
were enjoying the forest’s beauty,
their lord, Barbaros was out hunting
unaware of the danger that lurked
around the corner. Hrothlac leapt
from a tree with naked sword
and smote that great king and his two sons
A deed of cowardice done
Hrothlac wrongly assumed the throne
and took the gold and riches
of that once noble king
who’s still young son had been saved.
30. Now without a happy mead-hall
Hygelac, being kind and wise
raised her son to avenge
his father’s death, but Loki
the trickster plays cruel jokes
Hrothlac died leaving Tacitucyn to rule
The death of his son would be a hollow
victory, but honor would be restored.
Anaxtheow grew to be
both strong and brave.
for he was born into the burdens
and blessings of his noble stature.
31. Thus with an evil hand
Tacitucyn attempted to rule,
but neither courageous nor cunning
like Barbaros, that great king.
Now sneaking into their chambers
he struck while the loyal slept.
With crushing strength their heads were severed
on Barbaros’ rule thus ended
There was little joy
for the Rhenusware were wronged.
And Tacitucyn granted
many stolen gifts to his great warriors.
32. So seeking revenge Anaxtheow came
to his home after many days
to find it run-down and decrepit
Remembering his slain father
He marched into that once happy hall
and swung his sword about
killing the defenders until
only Tacitucyn remained
Seeing the blood and slain all around
the coward fell and begged mercy
Anaxtheow cut out his heart
and watched as it quaked in his hand.
33. Again in the happy mead-hall heroes, hardy,
courageous and combative came to partake
of the hearty feast their hefty chieftain
would bequeath. A banquet honoring
the faithful heroes, killed by cowardice.
Encrusted and close knit, these kinsmen
held up the honor of the honorable
Anaxtheow. Once again scops sang
while naked the swords were kept by the company;
blades steeped in the blood of the slain.
Crushing strength was kept for the Valkyries,
as soldiers rejoiced and beer was savored.
34. Thus was peace restored a great feast was made
to honor Anaxtheow’s fine victory
Happiness and mirth echoed through the hall,
and heroes now swore to uphold
the honor of their new king.
Into this hall came a king
of overwhelming wealth and glory.
“How are you called, courageous friend?”
inquired the brave Anaxtheow.
The stranger lay down his sword
and set down his brazen helmet
“I am Icthus, son of Iam.”