Robin and starling and sparrow.

Weary with weaving the battle-woof,

Came the king and his thanes to the Hall:

Feast-fires reddened the beams of the roof,

Torch flames waved from the wall.

Bright was the gold that the table bore,

Where platters and beakers shone:

Whining hounds on the sanded floor

Looked hungrily up for a bone.

Laughing, the king took his seat at the board,