Words: Mikal Hrafspa (Mikal the Ram)
This is an excerpt from a saga I have been writing for the last two years. The plot line in the saga is that a Christianized Norse poet, John, has returned to Norway and is caught up in the actions of the old gods. This song has little to do with that story line, but it is some good poetry. It is written in the style of Norse poetry circa 780, and has a fairly good story line as well.
High in Halogaland hidden in hoarfrost,
There was a hunter who lived by the hides
Of elk and of bear of otter and badger
To buy his bread for he had no brothers.
But he had his hounds. They were his helpers
The happiest host any chief could have.
Loyal and faithful, his orders were followed
By his true family; these hounds so fine
Each was the son Of the same sire:
A hound like a stag the hunter's prize stud.
Their dam was the best of the villages' beasts;
Dauntless and brave like all of her blood.
The hunter would come each year to the council.
And in that country a feast would commence.
Each man would swear his dogs were supreme.
each telling stories of their great skills.
But in the fighting his hounds were fiercer.
Driving their foes well off of the field,
They were the swiftest the wildest and surest.
All save the slow one who stayed by his side.
When they would hunt, his marvelous hounds
Would fly over hills chasing the hind.
Not to be shaken from the prey they sought.
All save the slow one who stayed by his side.
"All of my hounds are stout hearted;
Speed like the harpies and courage like heroes.
All but my Sathi who runs so slow
And stays by my side. He cares not for slaying.
Are you then fearful to take to the field?
All of your fellows run like the fire!
Is your heart weak, Your courage like water,
That you still wait to walk where I walk?"
Many the season they hunted the snows.
Ran on the steeps. Followed the spoor.
Much gold was bought with hides of the beasts
Brought to their bay by Sathi's fast brothers.
On one cold morning they hunted the mountains.
Deep in the mists such music they made!
Hounds on the scent! Wild hunt singing!
All save the slow one who stayed by his side.
Their prey ran far, so they ran faster;
Howling so fierce rang in the forest.
Leaving their master behind on the mountain,
Much slower moving than running mastiffs.
Only slow Sathi remained by his side.
Trotting so silent keeping his speed,
Beside the hunter, at his right hand.
Ignoring the howls of the far hunt.
Up rose a bear out of a brook.
A great angry beast mad with the baying.
The hounds were singing; still far on the scent,
All but the slow one who stayed by his side.
The hunter was fearful. He saw his fate;
Here he would fall before this huge foe.
He readied his spear, his chances were spent.
All but slow Sathi who stayed by his side.
The hunter was ready, the great bear roared,
With his paw reached the hunter to rend.
Sathi gave a loud bark and leaped at the beast,
Seeking to bite and taking the blows.
The bear was strong and wounded good Sathi,
Ripping his shoulder leaving bone showing.
But Sathi bit deep even while dying,
Clawing and digging wounding him dire.
The hunter was free a target to find.
His spear flew into the fur,
Seeking the blood of the great bear.
Striking the breast of the wild beast.
When it had fallen, from the cold field
Came his fair hounds hearing the fight.
He brushed them aside away from the slaying,
Away from good Sathi who'd stayed by his side.
"All of my hounds have stout hearts;
Speed like the harpies and courage like heroes.
All but my Sathi who runs so slow,
and stays by my side, and cares not for slaying.
Staying to ward against all the wild.
Staying to watch. Willing to wait.
Of all my hounds, This was the hero!
Knowing his heart and what he would hold."
There in the trees he raised a tower
Of heavy timbers stacked by tens.
Laid on that pile the hunter's protector;
Sathi the proud upon the high pyre.
As were these hounds servants to hunter,
Bound by the heart to serve his hand,
Your warriors sing for glory and slaying.
I'll be the slow one and stay by your side.