CERDICK, TRANSLATED FROM THE SAXON.

CERDICK , TRANSLATED FROM THE SAXON .

THE rose-crowned dawn dances on the top of the lofty hill . Arise , O Cerdick , from thy mossy bed , for the noise of the chariots is heard in the valleys .

Ye Saxons , draw the sword , prepare the flying dart of death : swift as the glancing sight meet the foe upon the brow of the hill , and cast the warriors headlong into the roaring stream .

The swords of the Saxons appear on the high rock , like the lake of death reflecting the beams of the morning sun .

The Britons begin to ascend the ragged fragments of the shrinking rock : thick as the hail in the howling storm , driven down the mountain's side , the son of the tempest ; the chariot , and the horse roll in confusion to the blood-stained vale .

Sons of war , descend , let the river be swelled with the smoaking streams of life , and the mountain of the slain ascend to the stars .

They fall beneath the spear of Cerdick .

Sledda is a flame of fire . Kenbert scatters the never-erring shaft of death . Aelle is a tempest , a cloud bursting in blood , a winter's wind blasting the soul : his knees are encircled with lifewarm gore , his white robe is like the morning sky . Ceaulin's spear is exalted like the star of the evening ; his fallen enemies rise in hills around him .

The actions of Cerdick astonish the soul ; the foe is melted from the field , and the gods have lost their sacrifice .

Cerdick leans upon his spear , he sings the praises of the gods : let the image be filled with the bodies of the dead , for the foe is swept away like purple bloom of the grape , no more to be seen . The sacred flames ascend the clouds , the warriors dance around it . The evening slowly throws her dusky vale over the face of the sun .

Cerdick arose in his tent .

Ye sons of war , who shake the silver javelin and the pointed shield , arise from the soft slumbers of the night , assemble to council at the tent of Cerdick .

From the dark-brown spring , from the verdant top of the impending rock , from the flowery vale , and the coppiced heath , the chiefs of the war arose .

Graceful as the flower that overlooks the silver stream , the mighty Cerdick stood among the warriors : attention seals up their lips .

Why will ye sleep , ye Saxons , whilst the hanging mountain of fortune trembles over our heads ; Let us gird on the reeking sword , and wrap in flame the town of Doranceastre : strong as the foundation of the earth , swift as the impetuous stream , deadly as the corrupted air , sudden as the whirlwind piercing to the hidden bed of the sea , armed in the red lightnings of the storm , will we come upon the foe . Prepare the sword and shield , and follow the descendant of Woden .

As when the sable clouds incessantly descend in rivers of rain to the wood-crowned hills , the foundation of the ground is loosened , and the forest gently slides to the valley , such was the appearance of the warriors , moving to the city of Doranceastre : the spears appeared like the stars of the black night , their spreading shields like the evening sky .

Turn your eyes , O ye Saxons , to the distant mountain : on the spreading top a company is seen ; they are like the locusts of the East , like a dark-brown cloud expanding in the wind : they come down the hills like the stones of hail ; the javelin nods over the helm ; death sports in their shadows . They are children of Woden : see the god of battle fans the air , the red sword waves in their banner . Ye sons of battle , wait their approach , let their eyes be feasted with the chaplets of victory .

It is Kenrick ! I see the lightning on his shield ! his eyes are two stars , his arm is the arrow of death ! he drinks the blood of the foe , as the rays of the summer sun drink the softly stealing brook : he moves like the moon , attended by the stars ; his blood-stained robe flies around him , like the white clouds of the evening , tinged with the red beams of the sinking sun .

See the chaplet hangs on his helm : shade him , O ye sons of war , with the pointed shield .

Kenrick approaches ; the shields of the brave hang over his head . He speaks ; attention dances on the ear .

Son of Woden , receive a conquering son ; the bodies of the slain rise in mountains ; the ashes of the towns choak up the river ; the roaring stream of Severn is filled with the slaughtered sons of thunder ; the warriors hang upon the cliffs of the red rocks ; the mighty men , like the sacrifice of yesterday , will be seen no more ; the briars shall hide the plain ; the grass dwell in the desolate habitation ; the wolf shall sleep in the palace , and the fox in the temple of the gods ; the sheep shall wander without a shepherd , and the goats be scattered in the high mountains , like the surrows on the bank of the swelling flood ; the enemies are swept away ; the gods are glutted with blood , and peace arises from the solitary grove .

Joy wantons in the eye of Cerdick . By the powers that send the tempest , the red lightning , and roaring thunder ; by the God of war , whose delight is in blood , and who preys upon the souls of the brave ; by the powers of the great deep , I swear that Kenrick shall sit on my throne , guide the sanguine spear of war , and the glittering sceptre of peace .

Cerdick girds his son with the sword of royalty : The warriors dance around him ; the clanging shields echo to the distant vales ; the fires ascend the skies ; the town of Doranceastre increases the flame , and the great image is red with the blood of the captives : the cries of the burning soe are drowned in the songs of joy ; the ashes of the image are scattered in the air , the bones of the foe are broken to dust .

Great is the valour of Cerdick , great is the strength of Kenrick .

D. B. Bristol , May 20 .