Medieval Poetry Translations VIII by Michael R Burch

These are English translations of Medieval poems written in Old English. The Battle of Maldon anonymous Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 991 AD or later translation by Michael R. Burch …would be broken. Then he bade each warrior unbridle his horse, set it free, drive it away and advance onward afoot, intent on deeds of arms and dauntless courage. It was then that Offa's kinsman kenned their Earl would not accept cowardice, for he set his beloved falcon free, let it fly woods-ward, then stepped forward to battle himself, nothing withheld. By this his men understood their young Earl's will full well, that he would not weaken when taking up weapons. Eadric desired to serve his Earl, his Captain in the battle to come; thus he also advanced forward, his spear raised, his spirit strong, boldly grasping buckler and broadsword, ready to keep his vow to stand fast in the fight. Byrhtnoth marshalled his men, teaching each warrior his task: how to stand, where to be stationed… The Finnesburg Fragment or The Fight at Finnsburg anonymous Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 10th-11th century AD loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Battle-bred Hnaef broke the silence: "Are the eaves aflame, is there dawn in the east, are there dragons aloft? No, only the flares of torches borne on the night breeze. Evil is afoot. Soon the hoots of owls, the weird wolf's howls, cries of the carrion crows, the arrow's screams, and the shield's reply to the lance's shaft, shall be heard. Heed the omens of the moon, that welkin-wanderer. We shall soon feel in full this folk's fury for us. Shake yourselves awake, soldiers! On your feet! Who's with me? Grab your swords and shields. Loft your linden!" The Battle of Brunanburh or The Battle of Brunanburgh anonymous Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem, circa 937 AD or later loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Her Aethelstan cyning, / Aethelstan the King, eorla dryhten, / Lord over earls, beorna beag-giefa, / bracelet-bestower, and his brothor eac, / and with him his brother, Eadmund aetheling, / Edmund the Atheling, ealdor-lange tir / earned unending glory: geslogon aet saecce / glory they gained in battle sweorda ecgum / as they slew with the sword's edge ymbe Brunanburh. / many near Brunanburgh… Keywords/Tags: Old English, translations, Anglo-Saxon, Maldon, Finnesburg, Brunanburh, war, battle, fight, warriors, soldiers, horse, courage, weapons, sword, glory, England, conflict, confusion, death