the sword-edge and the flame of the foes of
the earth.

"Tarry not, Thiodolf, nor turn aback though a new foe followeth on thine
heels. No need to question me more; I have no more to tell, save that a
woman brought these tidings to us, whom the Hall-Sun had sent with others
to watch the ways: and some of them had seen the Romans, who are a great
host and no band stealing forth to lift the herds."

Now all those round about him heard his words, for he spake with a loud
voice; and they knew what the bidding of the War-duke would be; so they
loitered not, but each man went about his business of looking to his war-
gear and gathering to the appointed place of his kindred. And even while
Geirbald had been speaking, had Hiarandi brought up the man who bore the
great horn, who when Thiodolf leapt to his feet to find him, was close at
hand. So he bade him blow the war-blast, and all men knew the meaning of
that voice of the horn, and every man armed him in haste, and they who
had horses (and these were but the Bearings and the Warnings), saddled
them, and mounted, and from mouth to mouth went the word that the Romans
were gotten into Mid-mark, and were burning the Bearing abodes. So
speedily was the whole host ready for the way, the Wolfings at the head
of all. Then came forth Thiodolf from the midst of his kindred, and they
raised him upon a great war-shield upheld by many men, and he stood
thereon and spake:

"O sons of Tyr, ye have vanquished, and sore hath been your pain;
But he that smiteth in battle must ever smite again;
And thus with you it fareth, and the day abideth yet
When ye shall hold the Aliens as the fishes in the net.
On the Ridge ye slew a many; but there came a many more
From their strongholds by the water to their new-built garth of war,
And all these have been led by dastards o'er the way our feet must
tread
Through the eastern heaths and the beech-wood to the door of the
Bearing stead,
Now e'en yesterday I deemed it, but I durst not haste away
Ere the word was borne to Otter and 'tis he bids haste to-day;
So now by day and by night-tide it behoveth us to wend
And wind the reel of battle and weave its web to end.
Had ye deemed my eyes foreseeing, I would tell you of my sight,
How I see the folk delivered and the Aliens turned to flight,
While my own feet wend them onwards to the ancient Father's Home.
But belike these are but the visions th