When we lose our lives, and lie defeated
By the hostile host; here hewn by the sword,
290 Our lord is beheaded.” With heavy spirits
They threw their weapons away, and weary in heart,
Scattered in flight.
[205.] The picture of the birds of prey hovering over the battle field is one of the constant features of Anglo-Saxon battle poetry. Note its occurrence in [The Fight at Finnsburg] and [The Battle of Brunnanburg] especially.
5. The Pursuit
Then their foemen pursued them,
Their grim power growing, until the greatest part
Of the cowardly band they conquered in battle