The tale of the old man, narrated in an oaken tavern


Hey, taverner, fill up my mug
With good and heady ale
Or better bring the whole jug
And listen to my tale!!

It was so many years ago,
When dry logs of this wall
Were oaks in a shady grove,
Were stout, strong and tall.

And I was also strong and brave,
Warlike and very young,
The master, but never the slave,
Because I'm Odin's son!

Once in the winter afternoon
Of the cold shining day,
I've got a thought to hunt and soon
To come back with a prey.

But all day long until the night
I roamed between trees.
And all around was so white,
As white as my hair is.

That day success was on my side,
When I was coming back,
I was content and felt the pride
With a reindeer on my back.

And, suddenly, from the dark wood
This monster has jumped out,
Now right across my way he's stood
With growl, icy and loud.

Oh, how terrible he was,
But I did not feel fear,
Though he was as huge as a horse,
Or, maybe, a reindeer!

I know, it's trusted hardly, 'cause
I don't have any proof,
But I'm convinced before me was
None other than werwolf.

His fur was silver in moonlight,
His eyes was red as blood,
And only I was in his sight,
It meant - was prey to gut.

I've thrown my burden down aside,
And have seized from a thigh
My knife, I was ready to fight,
I knew - I'll kill or die.

His rush was prompt as a wind blow,
And he has knocked me down.
Of course! He weighed as a big bear or so,
We've fallen to the ground.

His carcass has pressed down me,
I felt his nauseous breath.
I swear - and as if now I see
His eyes - eyes of my death.

When I fell, I have dropped a knife,
And now by any mode,
I was compelled to save my life,
And I have clutched his throat.

But he has only clicked by teeth
And has jerked up his jaw.
On yeah! His jaw together with
What was my arm before.

Gosh darn! Pain has eclipsed my mind!!!
And stars have heard my cries!!
And then I've thrust my fingers right
Into his burning eyes!

Much louder than mine, his bawl
Could be heard far and wide.
He jumped away and soon at all
Has vanished in the night.

Still long enough, time and again,
On my way back to home,
I've heard his cries of rage and pain
Under the heavens dome.

I safely reached my home farmstead,
When I've stepped in my yard,
I fell there as if a dead -
I've lost nearly all blood.

I do not know why I've not died
The will of gods was it.
I think, the Gods are always right,
And with them I've agreed.

Here is such story from my past
I wished to tell to you.
And from the first word to the last,
I swear, that is true.

So if you think that it is stuff,
The fable of some kind,
One arm for me is quite enough
To make you change your mind!!



Poetry by Black Knight
Read 893 times
Written on 2007-01-16 at 19:52

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