Now we call upon the chthonics, catch at their graces;
may they grant us no griefs, and no grim tidings,
from all shamesdeed us shield, from all shrinkings craven;
may they wield me to work some words for our moment.
Both mighty and meek, muster and quieten:
the loyal-lettered legend I lay out to please you
of Kin-Bright the Key-rider and her cohorts knightly,
chronicling their crimes and their cruel ending.
Now the lay is related, through my long telling,
of Kin-Bright Key-rider, called to the war-road,
boldest with brand against bale from Fortune,
and the fiercest for her folk against fate bitter,
whose deeds gifted death and dolour to millions,
though her peer-love and pity might yet pain heart’s-room.
May such griefs us not grip, nor any grim tidings,
going shielded from such shamesdeed, and from shrinkings craven;
thus on the chthonics we call, catching at graces.
