20171210.0430

The tactic is said to be wise,
As scouting can find a surprise
That might lie in wait,
A trap laid with bait,
Such that whoso touches it dies.

20171209.0430

But that leader did not appear
When the Scald would first draw near.
The Scald would, instead,
Send scouts out ahead
And find what the folk found most dear.

20171208.0430

The rumors made a great deal, too,
Of the fact that no one knew
Who ruled o'er the Scald,
What that one was called,
Or what could be said that was true.

20171207.0430

Rumors did range far and wide
About the truth they seemed to hide.
Most would make mention--
A point of attention--
Of the unnamed Scald leader’s great pride.

20171206.0430

The Scald had come from far away;
The travel of many a day
Bore them from their home.
Why they would roam,
However, not many could say.

20171205.0430

They thought they would do much the same
When to that one village they came
Where Erdewyn dwelt,
And Oðoæster felt
He could retire without blame.

20171204.0430

Long had they raged ‘cross the land,
And when someone would make a stand,
That one, they’d burn,
And others would turn
All they had to the Scald’s hand.

20171203.0430

Then would she rise once again,
And against all comers, she’d stand,
And if they were less
Who’d Erdewyn test,
Still great was the strength of her hand.

201701202.0430

Yet still was she called on to fight
From time to time, as needed right.
Every so often,
It would be forgotten
How she would put all foes to flight.

20171201.0430

She sufficed to all of her tasks.
Of any, what more can be asked?
There are few among
Us of whom it’s sung
We meet that mark or it surpass.