In My Time of Dying (skaldic version)

The fell bear, black, despairing, deadly;

the valiant wolf, lying always but ever true;

the doubting eagle, free-flying but always returning;

all encircled, bounded, gathered, by their own silent hearts.

--

Of sons and their father I tell, grieving and widowed;

of obedience and rebellion, of lordly command;

companionship of soldiers, resolution to destroy evil.

Remorse and sorrow: beloved children bleeding, bewildered.

--

Came the thing with the foul heart, mind of cold slime,

with only one will--to bind the world;

to bear the crown, grimly redstained, above yellow eyes.

To reach the sons, destroy the father.

--

The obedient one, the valiant one, the one loved by strangers,

devoted to family alone, living for them only,

brother-son most of all,

lies limp and still, his wraith rising to drift, bodiless.

--

The rebellious one, the one ever wolf-shielded,

sees not his air-walking brother,

mourns the untenanted body.

The bear gathers himself, one sortie to save both his dear ones.

--

Choices there are none when father-love speaks;

bargain struck, son saved. Willing sacrifice, high courage,

soul delivered to the hands of corruption.

Hell rejoices; hero-soul, paladin-soul so rarely theirs.

--

The valiant one wakes to sorrow --but he wakes.

Salt, then the pyre; returning there is none.

Two living men, a soul in chains:

Heart-binding never tighter.