The Seafarer's Story

Warriors loaded a cargo of weapons shining war gear in the vessel's hole and then heaved out, away with a will in their wood wreath ship. They thanked God for that easy crossing and a commcee. When the watchmen in the wall, the shieldings look out, whose job it was to guard the sea-clothes saw shields glittering on the gangplank and battle equipment being unloaded. So he rode to shore, his horsemen of hearth-gars and challenged them in formal terms, flourishing his spear. What kind of men are you who arrive rigged out for combat in coats of mail sailing here over the sea-lanes in your steep-hold