European Elegies/Winter/Fate

by Anonymous

45.FATE

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The sole memorials of the faithful bandAre frescoed fragments of a fortress wall.The strength of spears has slain the host, and allHave died proud deaths with hungry sword in hand.

Bleak blizzards beat upon the shattered keepIn the dread winter, when the daylight endsIn bitter night, and the snell north-wind sendsHarsh hail to crush man's spirit in its sweep.

The kingdom of the earth is full of woe,For time's iron edicts grimly overturnAll tenures under heaven: riches go,

And friendships fade, and kinsmen yield to fate,And all the lives of men to ashes turn,Leaving the earth's foundation desolate.

From the anonymous Anglo-Saxon poem, " The Wanderer".
Lines 97-110.