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 pursue
