The Battle of Orphir: An Elegy

Orkney’s warriors rode to Orphir, their armour gleaming in the sun.

The shield-wall broke their spears, and the storm carried away their blood

The Black-Eagle gazed at the banners, blood poured over the snow.

Wind-path the winter-men took, seventy-two warriors lay on their battle-beds.

The ravens watched Carradog. In cold he fell,

A horn he held, his house recalls.

Death rode over the dark, his doom called.

Lordless he leaves them, lost without him.

Madden held the shore-path, shields surrounded him.

He lay hoof-beaten, his helm shattered.

He had drunk mead, Morgause the Queen’s gift.

Strong and winter-worn, the Winter-Prince’s sword.

Morcant lay slain, seven Saxons lay nearby.

He broke their blades, Beli’s son Morcant.

They retrieved his sword, the Saxons took it not.

At the chapel wall Cadog fell, the flame-sword of Orkney.

Where are his sons? Saxon-breakers they’ll be.

Cadog loved his lord, Lot’s son he served.

Bridei’s horn hollered, and his helm glistened in the sun,

Slain by a Saxon spear, soundless his horn cries.

Near him fell Elidyr, his armour cold as winter.

Now the crows pluck him, powerless against their talons.

Of Rhun they called him Saxon-Breaker, a sword-knight of Albanactus’ house.

He fought with fury, and felled four Saxons.

They found him by the winter-road, a warrior to the end.

Talorc Briog’s son rode alongside the Black-Eagle, his blood stained the chapel wall,

He served his lord to the end, an axe against the Saxon wall.

Who remembers his glory? God recalls Talorc.

Gwrgi charged with Lot’s son, his sword flashed in the winter light,

The Winter-Prince he served, six Saxons fell with him.

They saw Paulinus by the winter-path, a warrior’s son he died.

Cynon was his comrade, a knight of Lothian,

As friends they lived, their laughter filled the summer air,

Now silence fills the hall, haunted by lost cheer