Seth Starr
AS XXXVI First Battle of the War of Feast or Famine
Here Seth Starr Seagirt Champion
Drank of Odin's Drink With Duncan Druim Doineann's
Spear tree and shield bearer large soldier of Scotland i
Many cups carried up and cunning words given ii
When knave of Nicholaus iii by naming and claiming
Stole Seagirt Barony's sea-sheep iv numerous.
Returning to his ring-giver raging of treachery,
Seagirt's double-sword v to vengeance spoke.
Then warrior's warrior William Baron,
Seagirt's soldier, Earl Brendan's son, vi
Who frequently fought 'gainst foul fiends of Lions vii
And won many wagins of weapons' war,
With hale hall-troops and hammer's leavings
On the salmon-ship viii sought the whale road ix
The weighty wave-skimmer wearing wooden war-necklace
Bearing the timber tables of terrible sword-servants. x
To ground came the gold-friend grim cleaver of shields
And from fierce fishers fair tribute claimed. xi
Came then doomed Duncan determined to drive them,
All the bold Barony from bright southern shores.
Seagirt's spear-tree stepped onto the strand,
Fierce filler of graves to face the Scot xii
As wondrous world-candle wrapped white and grey
Rose over rolling water, the raging warriors clashed xiii
Three times thrust, and thrice engaged,
Bright blood flew high and Duncan#s bone-house
Came crashing down, cold spirit forever fled. xiv
Now wept the peace-weavers, xv while warriors charged
Fated they fell on that fearful beach
Slaughtered by spears, slain in the strife.
All during that day was death dealt by Seagirt
Mangled fishmen hung, morbid and pale,
From sharp skewers of savage eastern spears. xvi
Riding to rescue came Raven's lady.
Fair wager of war a warrior queen. xvii
Swift struck-down was the sword-maid,
Long-legged Lioness by the leavings of hammers,
Done in by double-blades, destroyed in her fury.
... xviii
Black bird of death, baleful raven came,
Feasting on the fallen strewn on the field.
And war-wreaked bodies the wolf#s meal made... xix
This poem was composed by Æringunnr Yrsudóttir ca. AS XXXVII for a Bardic War point for the War of Feast or Famine.