II
I see the wild-boar that comes out of the wood; he drinks very much, and he has a wounded foot.
His jaws are drooping, blood-covered, and his bristles are whitened with age.
He is followed by his tribe, grunting from hunger.[5]
The sea-horse[6] comes to meet him; he makes the river banks tremble in horror.
He is as white as the brilliant snow; he has silver horns on his forehead.
The water boils under him from the thunder-fire of his nostrils.
Other sea-horses surround him, close packed as herbs by a swamp.
“Hold fast! hold fast! sea-horse; hit him on the head; hit hard, hit!
The bare feet slip in the blood! harder! have at them! harder!
I see blood flowing like a river! hit hard! hit them! strike harder!
I see the blood rise to his knees! I see blood like a lake!
Harder! have at them! harder! Thou may’st rest thyself tomorrow.
Hit hard! Hit hard, sea-horse! Hit him on the head! Hit hard! Hit!”
[5] Wild-boar and his brood—the men of Bretagne and their leader.
[6] Sea-horse—the Norsemen.