Reith Thorbjarnar (Thorbjorn's Ride):
| Wyndreth Berginsdottir |
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In Honor of Master Master Thorbjorn the Greysides
Crag of rock justice-sharp, and keen, oversees ocean-edge. Weep there many, grief-dew bright on pale faces. Then comes this vision, to each watcher visits on night-wing: Rises the moon full; Comes the sea-steed racing seas-mane with outflung sails wind-bellied, full, speeds to ship-stead. Strideth one to prow; Great Wailing, she is hight by Aesir and Van. Swan-coated, she; mail-clad; sword-girt and full fearsome fair. (She cries:) "Heed! All manner of alf and wight, Mark thou me well! We are come for Grey Thor's Bear! Valhalla calls his names: "Hall-Master! Sword-Master! Sword-Brother! Ring-Giver! Stead-Keeper! Cheiftain!" "Who knows not his good wise counsel? In battle or at bench to each asker is answer freely given and weighed with wit." "Who knows not this free-handed steadkeeper making welcome all comers? Within his walls merry mirth and safe rest found all seekers there." "Who knows not of Hand-Adder and Feeder-of-Eagles? Axe and sword so named by einherjar his blows have made death-kin!" "Who knows not his wit at fair words? Bragi-blessed, his tongue and Othroerir-gifted; not coarse nor thick nor boastful, lesing." "Who knows not of Grey Thor's Bear? Valhalla calls his names: Hall-Master! Sword-Master! Sword-Brother! Ring-Giver! Stead-Keeper! Chieftain!" "Now let all lament and grieve greatly for this night sails from the world of wights a sage warrior skald matchless among men "And the wail of women and warrior both make fit chorus to honor his passage to the Hero-Hall of the Shining Ones. "But be sorrowful not: Tonight he boards seat at Odin's own bench. Allfather hails him by name saying, "Thorbjorn Greysides! You are well met!" "And pours for him the mellow mead in his own horn golden-wrought and graven with wish-speeding runes and Old Names. "Be sorrowful not for many number his kinsmen gone before, long waiting to clasp arms again as brothers. "This night they will raise meadhorn and voices in mirth and merry and tell glad tales each one to each of together times and apart. "Suchwise in wassail they so will dwell; this way pass time until Wyrd summons leman, kinsmen, sib, and bondsmen from the world of wights." "Once again I say: Heed, all manner of alf and wight! We are come for Grey Thor's Bear! Valhalla calls his names! "There will he dwell in place of honor earned well-over, in Hero-Hall in kinsmen company in mirth and merry." "There will he wait for each of you in turn as the Norns decree, and for Ragnarok which we every one await together!" © Karen L.U. Kahan 1995 |
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