Tygers-hvot

Written on the Old Norse meter fornyrthislag by Grim the Skald

It was the 36th Pennsic War in A.S. 42. The East was badly outnumbered, and there were many who thought they may not survive this war. On the eve of the first battle, King Gryffith looked out over the army of the East and saw the men were solemn and gloomy. He bade a herald, Diomedes Sebastianus, to get the men’s attention, and then he summoned his Skald. The King spoke loudly, “Grim. There are around 300 warriors of the East here. There is a famous tale of 300 warriors outnumbered by a much larger foe, is there not?” Grim smiled, and spoke this verse:

1. Men of the south	have a matchless tale
A thousand years old,	ageless and true
Three hundred men	‘gainst many did stand
And laid down their lives	to the last shield-man
2. Of Sparta I speak,	spear-head of Greece
Leaders of men,	lovers of battle
They bear blades ever	from birth until death
Nor lay down their shields	‘till lain down on them.
3. Small the kingdoms	and cities of Greece
Mighty the Empire	that massed without
These South-born folk	saw but two choices:
Fight as free men	or fester as slaves
4. These brave warriors	would bear no lash
Marched they to meet	their massive foe
King Leonidas	led his Spartans
Heart of a lion	housed in his breast
5. Their enemy desired	all the Greek lands;
To seize and enslave	these South-People.
A mighty army	marched from the sea
To a gorge men call	the Gates of Fire
6. The Greeks stood brave	to guard this pass
Leonidas’ men	made the first line
Spear-bearing Spartans	spanned ‘cross the gap
To stop a foe	stretched past all sight
7. Xerxes the Sovereign,	self-proclaimed god
Yelled to the Spartans	“Yield up your arms!”
The Greeks called back	“Come and get them”
Xerxes ordered	his army to charge
8. A swarm of slaves	sallied forwared
Three hundred men	matched against them
His Medes first	met spear-wielders
And fell by the score—	fed well the crows!
8. The horde fell back	bloodied and fearful
All then did learn	not least Xerxes
Humans are many	but men are few.
God-king resolved	to send his elite
9. Called “Immortals”	were these mighty ones,
They thought easily	to overwhelm
Back fell the Greeks	to flee it seemed
Then they flanked the foe	in a fierce pocket
10. Immortals were made	mortal that day
As one spear then	Sparta struck home
Fell on that field	foes without number
And few of the Greeks	fell in return
11. From his throne Xerxes	thrice leapt and stood
He feared greatly	the fall of his men
His elite soldiers	were sorely pressed
And fell back from	the fire of swords
12. But guile can defeat	great warriors
A hidden way	wound ‘round the pass
A foul traitor	took armies through
Around the flank	of the famed Spartans
13. Leonidas ordered	the army retreat
For if all died there	doomed were their homes
But to hold off hordes	hard men must stand
Or else their foes	may fast pursue them
14. The Spartan men	ne’er spurned duty
Stalwart they stood	stern and unyielding
Formed they a phalanx	and faltered not
Though death was sure	by day’s ending
15. A terrible swath	tore through the horde
The fierce Spartans	fought like heroes
When their spears shattered	sharp swords they bared
Each man fought on	‘till their final breath
16. Their bold sacrifice	saved their fellows
The Greeks escaped,	scattered men rallied
The Spartan’s stand	inspired greatness
When the war was done	all had won glory.
17. Now it is we who face	fearsome numbers,
And march to meet	mighty armies
We follow the great	Gryffith, our King
Heart of a tiger	housed in his breast
18. This day we may die	or on this day triumph
But for a thousand years	our tale will be sung

©2007 Dan Marsh