The Battle at Yelin Stones
West of Hamburg, 1274
Fast by the stones they stood
Fell men of fealty proven
No rite they performed there that day
But stood taunting icy foes onward.
Ragged battle line of limber men
Rushed right over the rimed ground
Shouting their warcries to heavens
Bathed in their nostrils' white breath.
Endless line of archers armed
Each eager for everlasting glory
Broke heaving line with aim true
Leveled countless strong men running.
Cries come together in battle
Clash of chilled steel calls onward
Strong men of Reich stand ready
As wicked wave breaks, falls to gravel.
Hard contest of men and of steed
Heads hacked and hungrily hewn
Dead men fall under strong feet
The frost now melts in red streams.
Woe to vanquished foe running
While warlust brings warhorses on
The day of their doom ends with din
Of hooves winging white earth upward.
Bookmarks