Древнеанглийская поэзия

БИТВА ПРИ МЭЛДОНЕ
(
английский вариант, перевод Дуглас Б. Киллингс)

 

...would be broken.

Then he ordered a warrior each horse be let free,

driven afar and advance onward,

giving thought to deeds of arms and to steadfast courage.

Then it was that Offa's kinsman first perceived,

that the Earl would not endure cowardice,

for he let then from his hand flee his beloved

falcon towards the woods and there to battle went forth.

By this a man might understand that this youth would not

prove soft at the coming battle, when he takes up arms.

Further Eadric desired to serve his chief,

his lord to fight with; and so he advanced forward

his spear to battle. He had a dauntless spirit

as long as he with hands might be able to grasp

15

shield and broad sword: the vow he would carry out

that he had made before his lord saying he would fight.

Then Byrhtnoth marshalled his soldiers,

riding and instructing, directing his warriors

how they should stand and the positions they should keep,

20

and ordering that their shields properly stand firm

with steady hands and be not afraid.

Then when he beheld that people in suitable array,

he dismounted amid his people, where he was most pleased to

be,

there amid his retainers knowing their devotion.

25

Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out

a Viking messenger, making speech,

menacingly delivering the sea-pirate's

message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:

"I send to you from the bold seamen,

30

a command to tell that you must quickly send

treasures to us, and it would be better to you if

with tribute buy off this conflict of spears

than with us bitter battle share.

No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;

35

we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.

If you believe which of these is the noblest path,

and that your people are desirous of assurance,

then pay the sea-farers on their own terms

money towards peace and receive peace from us,

40

for we with this tribute will take to our ships,

depart on the sea and keep peace with you."

Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,

brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,

wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:

45

"Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?

They desire to you a tribute of spears to pay,

poisoned spears and old swords,

the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.

Sea-thieves messenger, deliver back in reply,

50

tell your people this spiteful message,

that here stands undaunted an Earl with his band of men

who will defend our homeland,

Aethelred's country, the lord of my

people and land. Fall shall you

55

heathen in battle! To us it would be shameful

that you with our coin to your ships should get away

without a fight, now you thus far

into our homeland have come.

You shall not so easily carry off our treasure:

60

with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,

fierce conflict, is the tribute we will hand over."

He then ordered their shields taken up, his soldiers

advancing

until on the river-bank they all stood.

Because of the river they were not able this band of men to

fight the other:

65

there came flowing the flood after the tide;

joining in the tidal stream. Too long it seemed to him

until the time when they together with spears join in battle.

There they on the Pante stream with pride lined the

banks,

East Saxon spears and the sea-raider army;

70

nor might any harm the other

unless through an arrow's flight death receive.

Then the tide went out. The seamen stood ready,

many Vikings eager for battle.

Then the heroes' protector ordered that the causeway be held

75

by a warrior stern -- Wulfstan was his name --

valiant with his people: that was Ceola's son,

who the first man with his spear slain

was one who boldly on the causeway stood.

There fought with Wulfstan warriors fearless,

80

Aelfere and Maccus, two great in courage,

who would not at this fjord take to flight,

but stoutly against the enemy defended themselves

while with their weapons they might wield.

Then they understood and clearly saw,

85

that this guarding of the causeway was a fierce encounter,

and so began to use guile, the hateful strangers,

asked that passage to land they might have,

to the shore and pass the fjord would this force lead.

Then the Earl permitted in his great pride

90

to allow land many of these hateful people;

and so then shouted on the shore of the cold water

Byrhtelm's child -- and the warriors listened:

"Now the way is open to you: come quickly to us

you men to battle. God alone knows

95

who on this field of honor may be allowed to be the master

of."

Then advanced the wolves of slaughter, for water they

cared not for, this band of Vikings;

west over the Pante's

shining water shore they carried their shields,

these men of the fleet towards land advanced their linden

shields.

100

There against the enemy stood ready

Byrhtnoth with his soldiers. He with his shield commanded

to form the battle ranks and that force of men to hold fast

firmly towards the enemy. Then was the fight near,

glory in battle. The time was come

105

that these doomed men would fall in battle.

There came the loud clamor. Ravens circled around,

eagles eager for carrion. On Earth was the battlecry.

They then sent forth from their hands shafts hard as

file,

murderously sharpened spears flew.

110

Bows were busily at work, shields received spears.

Fierce was that onslaught. Warriors fell in battle

on either side, young men lay slain.

Wounded was Wulfmaer, meeting death on the battlefield,

Byrhtnoth's kinsman: he with sword was,

115

his sister's son, cruelly hewn down.

There were the Vikings given requital:

I hear that Eadweard smote one

fiercely with his sword, withholding not in his blow,

so that at his feet fell a doomed warrior;

120

for this he of his people gave thanks for,

this chamber-thane, when the opportunity arose.

So stood firm of purpose

these young men in battle, eagerly giving thought

to who there with spear-points was first able

125

of doomed men's life destroy,

warriors with weapons. The slain in battle fell to Earth.

Steadfast and unyielding, Byrhtnoth exhorted them,

bidding that each young warrior's purpose to this battle,

against the Danes a desire to win glory in war.

130

Advanced again to fierce battle, weapons raised up,

shields to defense, and towards these warriors they stepped.

Resolute they approached Earl to the lowest Yeoman:

each of them intent on harm for the enemy.

Sent then a sea-warrior a spear of southern make

135

that wounded the warrior lord.

He thrust then with his shield such that the spear shaft

burst,

and that spear-head shattered as it sprang in reply.

Enraged became that warrior: with anger he stabbed

that proud Viking who had given him that wound.

140

Experienced was that warrior; he thrust his spear forward

through the warrior's neck, his hand guiding

so that he this ravager's life would fatally pierce.

Then he with another stab speedily pierced the ravager

so that the chainmail coat broke: this man had a breast wound

145

cut through the linked rings; through his heart stuck

a deadly spear. The Earl was the better pleased:

laughed then this great man of spirit, thanking the Creator

for

the day's work which the Lord had given him.

And so then another warrior a spear from the other side

150

flew out of hand, which deeply struck

through the noble Aethelred's retainer.

To him by his side stood a young man not fully grown,

a youth on the battlefield, who valiantly

pulled out of this warrior the bloody spear,

155

Wulfstan's child, Wulfmaer the younger;

and so with blinding speed came the shaft in reply.

The spear penetrated, for that who on the Earth now lay

among his people, the one who had sorely pierced.

Went then armed a man to this Earl;

160

he desirous of this warrior's belongings to take off with,

booty and rings and an ornamental sword.

Then Byrhtnoth drew his sword from its sheath

broad and bright of blade, and then struck the man's coat of

mail.

But too soon he was prevented by a certain sea-scavenger,

165

and then the Earl's arm was wounded.

Fall then to the ground with his gold-hilted sword:

his grip unable to hold the heavy sword,

or wield the weapon. Then still uttered those words

of the grey-haired warrior, encouraging the younger warriors,

170

bidding to advance stoutly together.

Not could he on his feet any longer stand firmly up,

and so he looked to heaven:

"I thank you, Lord of my people,

all the joys which I on this world have experienced.

175

"Now I ask, oh merciful Creator, the greatest hope

that to you my spirit shall be granted salvation

that my soul to thee be permitted to journey

and into your power, King of Angels,

with peace I depart. I only beseech that

180

the fiends of hell shall not be permitted to harm me."

Then he was slain by the heathen warriors;

and both of those warriors which by him stood,

Aelfnoth and Wulmaer were each slain,

close by their lord did they give up their lives.

185

Then turned away from battle those that would not stay:

there went Odda's child first to flight,

Godric fled from the battle, and the noble abandoned

the one which had often given him many a horse.

He leapt upon the mount of the steed which had once been his

lord's,

190

on those trappings of which he was not fit,

he and with his brothers both galloped away,

Godwine and Godwig not caring for battle,

but turned away from this battlefield and to the forest fled,

seeking a place of safety and to protect their lives,

195

and many more men than what is right were there,

then if they had acted deservingly and all remembered

he, who had to them, all benefits did make.

Thus had Offa on that day first said

at the meeting place, there at the council,

200

that there would be boldly many a boastful speech

which at the time of stress would not endure.

So now was laid low the Chief of this army,

Aethelred's Earl. All saw those

sharers of the hearth that their lord lay slain.

205

But then there advanced onward those splendid retainers,

undaunted men hastening eagerly:

they desired all one of two things,

to leave life or else to avenge their dear lord.

And so exhorting them to advance was the child of

Aelfrices,

210

a warrior young in winters whose words spoke,

Aelfwine then said, he in valiant talk:

"Remember the speeches which we had often at mead spoken,

that we on the bench had loudly uttered vows,

warriors in the hall, concerning bitter strife:

215

Now may we prove who is truly valiant!

I am willing that my royal descent be made known to all men,

that I was of Mercian blood greatly kindred;

my grandfather was named Ealhelm,

a wise alderman and very prosperous.

220

Not shall me these people's liegeman reproach

that I of this army am willing to depart from,

a homeland seek, now that my lord lies slain

and hewn down in battle. Mine is that sorrow greatest:

he was both my kinsman and my lord."

225

Then he advanced onward, remembering with hostility,

then he with spear-point pierced one

pirate in their host, and to the ground lie slain

killed with the weapon. He began then to exhorted his

comrades,

friends and compatriots, that they advance onward.

230

Offa spoke, shaking his ashen spear:

"Lo, thou Aelfwine, have your words thus reminded

us liegemen to our allegiance. Now our people's protector

lies slain,

the Earl is on the Earth, and to us all is our need

that one another encourage each other

235

warriors to battle, while with weapons we are able

to have and grasp, the hard blade,

the spear and the good sword. To us has Godric,

that cowardly sun of Odda, all betrayed.

Many men believed, then when he rode on the horse,

240

on that splendid steed, that it was our lord.

Because of that happening here on the battlefield the people

scattered,

the wall of shields breaking asunder. Shame on that action,

for because of him thus many a man was caused to flee!"

Leofsunu spoke and his linden shield was raised,

245

the board to defense; this warrior replied:

"I that swear, that from here I will not

flee a foot's space, as my desire is to advance further,

avenge in battle-strife my lord and friend.

I have no desire among Sturmere's unyielding heroes

250

to reproach my word, now that my patron has perished,

that I now lordless go on a homeward journey,

having turned away from battle, but rather I shall be taken by

weapons,

either spear or iron." Wrathfully he advanced,

fighting resolutely, for he despised flight.

255

Dunnere then said, brandishing his spear,

a simple yeoman calling out to the entire shore,

exhorting that each warrior avenge Byrhtnoth:

"One cannot retreat who intends vengeance

for our lord of the host, if their lives they care not for."

260

So then they pressed forward, caring not about their lives.

Then began these retainers to fiercely fight,

ferocious warriors armed with spears, and praying to God

that they might avenge their lord and patron

and on their enemy death make.

265

Thus the hostage himself willingly helped;

he was a Northumbrian of a brave family,

Ecglaf's child; he was named Aescferth.

He hesitated not at the play of battle,

but shot forward many arrows;

270

here striking a shield, there cutting down a warrior,

at almost every moment giving out some wound,

all the while with his weapon he would wield.

Yet still at the battle front stood Eadweard the tall

ready and eager, speaking vaunting words

275

that he would not flee a foot's ground,

or turn away back to the bank, then leave his superior where

he lay.

He broke through that wall of shields and among the warriors

fought,

until his bounteous lord upon those sea-men

did worthily avenge, and he on the battlefield lie slain.

280

So did Aetheric, noble comrade,

press forward and eager to advance fight resolutely,

Sibyrht's brother and very many others;

splitting the enemy's shields, valiantly they defended

themselves.

Rang the shield rims, and sang the corselets of mail

285

a certain terrible dirge. Then at the battle's height

Offa a sea-farer sent to the Earth dead,

and there Gadd's kinsman was laid low to the ground:

soon it was at battle that Offa was hewn down.

He had however accomplished that vow to his lord

290

that he had uttered before to his giver of rings,

that either they both ride to the fortified

home unhurt or else perish fighting

on the battlefield and die of their wounds.

He lay slain nobly near the lord of his people.

295

Then it happened that the shields broke through. The sea-

warriors advanced,

to battle enraged. Spear often pierced

the doomed houses of life. Onward then advanced Wistan,

Thurhstan's son, to these warriors fought.

He was among the throng and slew three,

300

before Wigelm's child lay slain in battle.

There was severe combat. Stood firm

did these warriors in battle. Warriors perished

exhausted by their wounds. The slain fell dead to the Earth.

Oswold and Eadwold all this time,

305

both of these brothers encouraged the soldiers,

their beloved kinsman they would exhort through words

that they needed to endure

without weakening and make use of their weapons.

Byrhtwold spoke, shield raised aloft --

310

he was an old loyal retainer -- and brandished his spear;

he very boldly commanded the warriors:

"Our hearts must grow resolute, our courage more valiant,

our spirits must be greater, though our strength grows less.

Here lies our Lord all hewn down,

315

goodly he lies in the dust. A kinsman mourns

that who now from this battle-play thinks to turn away.

I am advanced in years. I do not desire to be taken away,

but I by my liege Lord,

by that favorite of men I intend to lie."

320

So then did Aethelgar's child enbolden them all,

Godric to battle. Often he sent forth spears,

deadly shaft sped away onto the Vikings;

thus he on this people went out in front of battle,

cutting down and smiting, until he too on the battlefield

perished.

325

This was not that Godric who from the battle had flown away...

ОГЛАВЛЕНИЕ

Рейтинг@Mail.ru

Rambler's Top100