XXXIX.
A grievous descent was made in front of the extended riches, [138b]
But the army turned aside, with trailing [138c] shields,
And those shields were shivered before the herd of the roaring Beli. [138d]
A dwarf from the bloody field hastened to the fence; [139a]
And on our side there came a hoary headed man, our chief counsellor, [139b]
Mounted on a prancing iebald psteed, and wearing the golden chain.
The Boar [139c] proposed a compact in front of the course—the great plotter;
Right worthy [139d] was the shout of our refusal,
And we cried “Let heaven be our protection,
Let his compact be that he should be prostrated by the spear in battle, [139e]
Our warriors, in respect of their far famed fosse, [139f]
Would not quarrel if a host were there to press the ground.”