Phelan Squiring Ceremony
Follow this skald in oath, Blood given, to my firelit halls In Wastekeep, by the great coiled serpent Flowing ever to Ran’s nets. With old tales my house is painted. There I say the Valkyrs will follow, And ravens, even victorious Odin On the blood of holy Baldur. Free handed am I, Of Sif’s firm-grown tresses, Ice of the Hoar-Frost, Otter-gild and Kvasir’s blood. The Norn’s draft I offer, At the gnarled roots of Yggdrasil, Where the Nidhogg gnaws And the Hanged-God drank. Split the waves with me, ‘Neath Ymir’s skull where the land Of Godwin’s second son lies ripe, Dipped in colored stars of stone. The slain shall lay there sand-strewing, Spoil for the Single-Eyed Dweller in Frigg’s bosom; In such deeds we will rejoice. I Styrkarr Jarlskald, The silver wyvern on ermine, Son of the Fair Hair, he of the Brown Wolf, Himself of Dyon the Firstborn, do bind this oath.
And to Styrkarr, the Jarl’s skald, word-wielder, ill’s-bane, wound-binder He who sates the ravens With the gore of hosts This oath is given. Horn-bearer I shall be Shielding the brilliant star And pups of the white fox Heirs of the mighty house. Our gulls-wake shield-sails shall Take the sternest crashing storm wind Of the Valkyrs, where hail of bow-strings Drives, and the sword blades hammer. The dance of Odin’s ringing fire, The heft of the Troll-woman, In my hands the angry serpent. Learn I where warriors in strife meet. Gleefully we join the spear-storm With heroes, where the eagles Scream at the din of Skogul And Odin’s maids reap the slain. Our saga the thrice-won quest To the links of Freyja’s tears. Together weighty our deeds Worthy fame’s mead. I Phelan Tolusmidr, The silver sparks striker on sable sea, Beloved of the daughter of Frans, Bind me to Styrkarr on blooded belt.