(ll. 2039-2059) Then the holy man bade his hearth-retainers take
their weapons. Three hundred and eighteen wielders of the ashen
spear he gathered, loyal-hearted men, of whom he knew that each
would stoutly bear his linden shield to battle. And Abraham went
out, and the three earls who had pledged their faith, together
with a great company of their people. He would fain redeem his
kinsman, Lot, from his distress. Brave were the warriors,
stoutly bearing their bucklers upon the march. And when these
war-wolves had journeyed nigh unto the camp, the son of Terah,
wise of heart, bespake his captains (great was his need that they
should wage grim war on either flank, and hard hand-play against
the foe) and said that easily the Holy, Everlasting Lord could
speed their fortunes in the spear-strife.
(ll. 2060-2083) Then, in the shades of night, as I have heard,
the warriors dared the battle. In the camp rose din of shields
and spears, death of bowmen, crash of battle arrows. Bitterly
the sharp spears pierced the hearts of men. In throngs their
foemen, warriors and comrades, fell in death, where laughing they
had borne away the spoil. And victory and glory of war forsook
the strife of the Northmen. No twisted gold did Abraham offer in
ransom for his brother's son, but battle; he smote and slew the
foe in war.
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