Staves from 'Guthredd Sleeve-Heart'

Staves from 'Guthredd Sleeve-heart's tale':



Of the circle of three hearts:

"Because she heard, but lost,
barnacles guard the heart
I do not hear, but it is mine.

And so I am long searching,
from end to this beginning.

Thorarna harkens not her heart
Although she hears; and it is hers.

And so I am long searching,
And make the endless circle.

Guthredd harkens to her heart
And well she hears; and it is hers.

And so I am long searching
Because she heard, but lost."



Of the killing of her natural father:

"I make food for ravens;
With 'fail-sword' I sliced
through neck and bone
and hued your evil eye.
Your body twitches as this land
is reddened from your bleeding
and I gain all the honor."



A plea to fight oppression:

"The King took shame as fee;
I took my families honor back.
Now outlaw, I witness
the robbing of your chattel."

"Thorarna hearkened not her heart
But I do hearken mine,
and well I hear the betrayal
of the tyrant king."

"I made food for ravens with 'fail-sword'
and blinded the evil eye.
I baked the meat of King's men,
And flamed their sea-chargers."

"A boon I ask; to tie our might
As a bundle of sticks,
So that any one, not break alone
For being stronger in a pack"



On killing a foster-mother to protect his reputation:

"For Guthredd did I split
The head of this old crone, whose eyes
spake that our love should not be,
for that I cannot bare."



On ending a reign of oppression and ascending the throne:

"I pluck out 'fail-sword' from its scabbard
And spin the ice-cold sword in vengeance
That 'upstart whore' be known for Queen
To heal the land of Ketil's wounds and
restore her health to wholeness.

Deeds I shall not shrink from and 'fail-sword'
Sing from its scabbard ere a man rule the land.
As I take the head of Ketil to feed the ravens
I take the head of state and
restore her health to wholeness.

I take the honor for all women
And 'whore-tax' dies with Ketil
I make Queen and land one and
restore her health to wholeness."