“King, this is one day’s feast;

But days are coming with famine-blight;

Wolf winds howl from the east!”

Hot from the king’s heart leaped a deed,

High as his iron crown:

(Noble souls have a deathless need

To stoop to the lowest down.)

“Thanes, I swear by Godde’s Bride

This is a cursèd thing—

Hunger for the folk outside,