The Dark Hereafter

Afflicted with sorrows
Yet glorified in victory
Much moved by their summons
The night-helm glode away
Quickly departed
Light came thereafter
The rushing noise of dawn!

The powerful collected heathens
Savage, in heaps they thronged
Their war-trappings sung
They brandished their arms
Angry in mood
Under walls of shields!

They had in rune and had in rime craft
Written, greedy for power
The end of men, in life or death
The cold-hearted fiercely shouted!

Oft their minds went to dim shadows
Besieged by the devil's lore
When they of savaged spirits
Believed the lies!

Then they found those prudent of mind
Their lives in space expired
Dead bones ring echoes in broken lives
Forthwith to divide, body and mind!