A tale of Beowulf, Bairn of Ecgthew

aethling of the Geats, firey focus of fable.

Victories many, bought with bounty of blood.

Twin monsters, Grendel’s mother and her child

in the Scylding’s land, brought low by sin

Time’s riverbed, flows fleetingly fast

Until old king Beowulf, Bairn of Ecgthew

starcross’d lord, dreaded day of his death

faced a dragon, and greatest of god’s geats

slew it quickly, protecting his land.

Ancient tale, fable of forefathers

of ancient prose, dense deep and dire.

Modern readers, ancient knowledge gone

will struggle much, History held in the heorot

cannot help them, since a heorot they lack.

thus unendowed, no strength for sound struggle

Will then fail, no meaning to them.

Knowledge of the past, if that ye seek

so ye desire, long lost lore

read knowing well, a challenging battle

Hazy and difficult, to enlighten yourself

but expect not, golden rings from the lord

facing the challenge, of this ancient tale.