They with their lives must bargain for gold and gems and silver to them given.

[675]

To him, the king of Sealand, great ill erelong was wrought.

A stalwart foeman was he: Aha, how well he fought!

He made the land the richer with the dead there lying:

The old in fight grew youthful: the strong were slain, who recked not yet of dying.

[676]

Long the fighting lasted, till thickly lay the dead:

Then to the brave King Herwic came at last the need

To flee into his marches, for life he there was turning;