How hath it come to pass!How hath we troden so fair, riden so swift? How hath Alfgarlings made merry?
Sat upon the fish-hame, does our home sleep! Sat upon plain, between river and west! Sat upon steed, so noble a creature to behold! Where hath you gone, o great days?
You have passed so swiftly, from sight and knowing. You have passed like cawing bird and gentle cloud. Where hath you gone, o great days?
Make now merry, o great horsemen! O great Northkin! O great Alfgarlings! Now we hunt! Now we play! Now we live! Thralls no longer are we.
When shall ye o men of East, atop chariot and ill-horse, come again? When shall ye o men of East call us thrall once more? When shall ye o men of East flee, flee to far off lands?
Where now is weardmann? Where now is our weaponed-men? Where now is wife man? She hath gone, gone to fish! Gone to farm! Gone to forage! Long hath it been since last horse be riden against ealdorbealu! Long hath it been since spear be wrought and axe be sharpened!
Make now merry, o great horsemen! O great Northkin! O great Alfgarlings! Now we hunt! Now we play! Now we live! Thralls no longer are we.
