urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:	edition	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1	eceptext	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.1	head	The Fatal Sisters. An Ode
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.2	sub	(From the Norse-Tongue,) in the ORCADES of Thormodus Torfaeus; Hafniae, 1697, Folio: and also in Bartholinus.<lb xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" /> <lb xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" /> Vitt er orpit fyrir valfalli, &c.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.3	preface	PREFACE
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.4	p	In the eleventh century <persName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Sigurd</persName>, Earl of the Orkney Islands, went with a fleet of ships and a considerable body of troops into Ireland, to the assistance of <persName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Sictryg with the silken beard</persName>, who was then making war on his father-in-law <persName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Brian</persName>, King of Dublin: the Earl and all his forces were cut to pieces, and <persName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Sictryg</persName> was in danger of a total defeat; but the enemy had a greater loss by the death of <persName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Brian</persName>, their King, who fell in the action. On Christmas-day (the day of the battle), a native of <placeName xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">Caithness</placeName> in Scotland saw at a distance a number of persons on horseback riding full speed towards a hill, and seeming to enter into it. Curiosity led him to follow them, till looking through an opening in the rocks he saw twelve gigantic figures resembling women: they were all employed about a loom; and as they wove, they sung the following dreadful song; which when they had finished, they tore the web into twelve pieces, and (each taking her portion) galloped six to the north and as many to the south.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.1	l	<note xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" place="bottom"> <emph>Note</emph> — The <emph>Valkyriur</emph> were female Divinities, Servants of <emph>Odin</emph> (or <emph>Woden</emph>) in the Gothic mythology. Their name signifies <emph>Chusers of the slain</emph>. They were mounted on swift horses, with drawn swords in their hands; and in the throng of battle selected such as were destined to slaughter, and conducted them to <emph>Valhalla</emph>, the hall of <emph>Odin</emph>, or paradise of the Brave; where they attended the banquet, and served the departed Heroes with horns of mead and ale. </note> Now the storm begins to lower,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.2	l	(Haste, the loom of hell prepare,)
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.3	l	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.3.1	l	How quick they wheel'd; and flying, behind them shot
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.3.2	l	Sharp sleet of arrowy shower—
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.4	l	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.5.4.1	l	The noise of battle hurtled in the air.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.6	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.6.1	l	Glittering lances are the loom,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.6.2	l	Where the dusky warp we strain,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.6.3	l	Weaving many a soldier's doom,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.6.4	l	Orkney's woe, and Randver's bane.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.7	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.7.1	l	See the grisly texture grow,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.7.2	l	('Tis of human entrails made,)
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.7.3	l	And the weights that play below,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.7.4	l	Each a gasping warrior's head.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.8	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.8.1	l	Shafts for shuttles, dipped in gore,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.8.2	l	Shoot the trembling cords along.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.8.3	l	Sword, that once a monarch bore,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.8.4	l	Keep the tissue close and strong.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.9	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.9.1	l	Mista black, terrific maid,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.9.2	l	Sangrida and Hilda see,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.9.3	l	Join the wayward work to aid:
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.9.4	l	'Tis the woof of victory.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.10	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.10.1	l	Ere the ruddy sun be set,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.10.2	l	Pikes must shiver, javelins sing,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.10.3	l	Blade with clattering buckler meet,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.10.4	l	Hauberk crash and helmet ring.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.11	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.11.1	l	(Weave the crimson web of war)
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.11.2	l	Let us go, and let us fly,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.11.3	l	Where our friends the conflict share,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.11.4	l	Where they triumph, where they die.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.12	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.12.1	l	As the paths of fate we tread,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.12.2	l	Wading through the ensanguined field:
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.12.3	l	Gondula and Geira, spread
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.12.4	l	O'er the youthful King your shield.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.13	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.13.1	l	We the reins to slaughter give,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.13.2	l	Ours to kill and ours to spare:
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.13.3	l	Spite of danger he shall live.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.13.4	l	(Weave the crimson web of war.)
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.14	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.14.1	l	They, whom once the desert-beach
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.14.2	l	Pent within its bleak domain,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.14.3	l	Soon their ample sway shall stretch
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.14.4	l	O'er the plenty of the plain.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.15	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.15.1	l	Low the dauntless Earl is laid,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.15.2	l	Gored with many a gaping wound:
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.15.3	l	Fate demands a nobler head;
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.15.4	l	Soon a King shall bite the ground.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.16	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.16.1	l	Long his loss shall Eirin weep,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.16.2	l	Ne'er again his likeness see;
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.16.3	l	Long her strains in sorrow steep,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.16.4	l	Strains of immortality!
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.17	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.17.1	l	Horror covers all the heath,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.17.2	l	Clouds of carnage blot the sun.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.17.3	l	Sisters, weave the web of death;
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.17.4	l	Sisters, cease, the work is done.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.18	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.18.1	l	Hail the task, and hail the hands!
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.18.2	l	Songs of joy and triumph sing!
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.18.3	l	Joy to the victorious bands;
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.18.4	l	Triumph to the younger King.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.19	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.19.1	l	Mortal, thou that hear'st the tale,
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.19.2	l	Learn the tenor of our song.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.19.3	l	Scotland, through each winding vale
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.19.4	l	Far and wide the notes prolong.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.20	lg	
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.20.1	l	Sisters, hence with spurs of speed:
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.20.2	l	Each her thundering faulchion wield;
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.20.3	l	Each bestride her sable steed.
urn:cts:tgap:GrayThomas.TheFatalSistersAnOde.English.1716_fsio:1.20.4	l	Hurry, hurry to the field.