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A RUNIC ODE by THOMAS WARTON THE ELDER

First Line: YES - 'TIS DECREED MY SWORD NO MORE
Last Line: AS E'ER IN BATTLE BAR'D MY BREAST.
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; DEATH; WAR; DEAD, THE;

A R G U M E N T.

Regner Ladbrog, @3a King of one of the Northern Nations, being mortally stung by
a Viper, before the Venom had reach'd his Vitals, broke out into the following
Verses.@1

I.
YES—'tis decreed my Sword no more
Shall smoke and blush with hostile Gore;
To my great Father's Feasts I go,
Where luscious Wines for ever flow,
Which from the hollow Sculls we drain,
Of Kings in furious Combat slain.

II.
Death, to the Brave a blest Resort,
Brings us to awful @3Odin@1's Court;
Where with old Warriors mix'd we dwell,
Recount our Wounds, our Triumphs tell;
Me, will they own as bold a Guest,
As e'er in Battle bar'd my Breast.



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