There Odda’s sons were erst in flight: 
From battle went Godric, and the good one forsook,
Who had on him many a steed oft bestowed: 
He leaped on the horse that his lord had owned,
Upon those trappings that right it was not, 190
And his brothers with him both ran away,
Godrinc and Godwig, recked not of war,
But went from the fight, and sought the wood,
Fled to the fastness, and saved their lives,
And more of the men than was at all meet, 195
If they those services all had remembered,
That he for their welfare to them had done;
So Offa to him one day had erst said
At the meeting-place, when he held a moot,
That there [very] proudly they many things spake 200
Which after in need they would not perform.[18]
Then was down-fallen the prince of the folk,
AEthelred’s earl:  all of them saw,
The hearth-companions, that their lord lay dead. 
Then hurried there forth the haughty thanes, 205
The valiant men eagerly hastened: 
They would then all the one of the two,
Their lives forsake or their loved one avenge. 
So urged them on the son of AElfric,
A winter-young warrior, with words them addressed. 210
Then AElfwine quoth (boldly he spake): 
“Remember the times that we oft at mead spake,
When we on the bench our boast upraised,
Heroes in hall, the hard fight anent: 
Now may be tested who is the true.[19] 215
I will my lineage to all make known,
That I ’mong the Mercians of mickle race was,
My grandfather was Ealhhelm by name,
An alderman wise, with wealth endowed. 
Ne’er shall ’mong this folk me thanes reproach 220
That I from this host will hasten to wend,
My home to seek, now lies my lord
Down-hewn in fight; to me ’tis great harm: 
By blood he was kin and by rank he was lord."[20]
Then went he forth, was mindful of feud, 225
That he with his spear one of them pierced,
A sailor o’ the folk, that he lay on the ground
Killed with his weapon.  Gan he comrades exhort,
Friends and companions, that forth they should go. 
Offa addressed them, his ash-spear shook:  230
“Lo!  AElfwine, thou hast all admonished,
Thanes, of the need.  Now lieth our lord,
Earl on the earth, to us all there is need
That each one of us should strengthen the other
Warrior to war, while weapon he may 235
[Still] have and hold, the hardened brand,
Spear and good sword.  Us hath Godric,
Cowed son of Offa, all [basely] deceived: 
So many men thought when on mare he rode,
On that proud steed, that it was our lord:  240
Therefore in field here the folk was divided,
The phalanx broken:  may perish his deed,