With greying hair and drooping skin The former fighter nears his end His thoughts are haunted by death's grin As age, then downfall, soon impend
His years have robbed him of all mirth Too frail is he to that repeat Which gave him joy, which gave him worth - To conquer men in battle's heat
Too scared by rivals 'round his hut Too scarred by combat - wounds from yore He yearns all day for freedom but He hides behind his wooden door
As hairs fall down from his worn head So falls his patience with himself - A real life is no life of dread! Of slowly wasting down oneself!
Departure through mere indolence? Unworthy of this warrior! He settles to with fate dispense To beat and mock Hel's courier!
His ancient sword he once more draws His battered shield, with cuts beset His bow and arrow he withdraws - This soldier's full of vigour yet!
To glory seek and honour find Becomes his final quest in life Thus cleansing his beleaguered mind And focussing on coming strife
"My enemies of old shall see Forgiveness is no virtue pure For vengeance is all that drives me - Their termination I'll ensure!"
Alight with fervour and with wrath Content with fortune that he chose He starts his journey on the path That leads towards his bitter foes
But in his haste he soon forgot That gods are merciless to those Who heed their wills and wishes not - Ignore the plans that they impose
Divine resentment quickly grows Against this mortal's vile conceit For every earthling rightly knows That hubris leads towards defeat
Though confident and brash at first - The man's delight and glee resound - His heartiness is soon reversed His path becomes unsafe, unsound
The elder stumbles and then falls The impact shatters weakened bones To silent woods for help he calls While gods just laugh upon their thrones
For hours the man in despair Lies aidless as he screams and howls No gentle stranger comes to care Instead from pines come wolven growls
Six canine beasts descend onto The feeble, broken, fallen chap They scratch and bite and maim and chew At last their jaws 'round his throat wrap
Such was the end of this poor fool Such is the fate of all men who Deny the ancient gods their rule And brazenly own dreams pursueTeksty umieszczone na naszej stronie są własnością wytwórni, wykonawców, osób mających do nich prawa.
