THE IMMORTAL SOUL OF A WARRIOR..
They have seen my strength for themselves,
Have watched me rise from the darkness of war,
Dripping with my enemies' blood. I drove
Five great giants into chains, chased
All of that race from the earth. I swam
In the blackness of night, hunting monsters
Out of the ocean, and killing them one
By one; death was my errand and the fate
They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called
Together, and I've come.
- BeowulfA man must need
Shield companions,
Loyal in the hall
Loyal in line.
Check well the hearts
Of companions.
Often life
Depends on loyalty.
The hearth rode out
Shining in byrnies,
Cloaks of rich colours
Silvered helmets.
Well drawn up,
Hard handed men
Handled weapons
With deadly glee.
The clash resounded,
The snake of battle,
Promised victory,
Then stole the day.
The jarl was wise,
Fought like a lion,
But covered in gore,
He was unlucky.
Excerpt from the saga of Grettir the Strong-
One day Grettir was sitting in a booth and drinking, because he wanted to keep out of Gunnar's way. Suddenly there was a bang at the door, so hard that it broke in pieces, and in rushed four men armed and attacked Grettir. They were Gunnar with his followers. Grettir seized his arms which were hanging above his head and ran into a corner, where he defended himself, holding his shield before him, and hewing with his sword. They made little way against him. One blow he succeeded in delivering upon one of Gunnar's followers, who needed nothing more. Then Grettir advanced, driving them before him out of the booth, and killing another of them. Gunnar would fain have got away with his men, but on reaching the door he caught his foot on the doorstep, fell over and was not able to recover himself at once. He held his shield before him and retreated as Grettir pressed him hard. Then Grettir sprang on to the crossbenches near the door. Gunnar's hands and the shield were still inside the door, and Grettir struck down between him and the shield, cutting off both his hands at the wrist. He fell backwards out of the door, and Grettir gave him his death-blow.
DEATH TO FALSE METAL
Hail and tremble before thy magnificent conqueror! For my steel strikes swiftly through the flesh of my enemies.
Glory to thee, O' Brothers of Metal!
Death to the false ones, Dance on a string
'Till the blood on your sword is the blood of a king!
Fight bravely Metal Heroes! May songs of True Metal ferry you swiftly to Valhalla!
Hail Hail Hail and Kill
