My Shield is Calling

To me! To me! My shield is calling;

for brothers to keep, and my enemy's falling.

Now courage! Now wrath; that my kinsmen once bore

have quickened within me and cry out "To War!"

I see! I see! My father before me!

My brother's and mother's and sister's dead glory!

They call me to sea and to white ship departing

Not ere or until my bright shield is done guarding.

Our foe! Our foe! The battle's near done!

From red sun arising to red setting sun.

Our deeds cast immortal in Rivendell's sonnets,

for I'll go home with shield high or my body upon it!

(From the Battle of the Old Ford, 2946)