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Langobards
(© Matilda Marks)

Two peoples assembled for deadly fight,
to the storm of spears they had gone;
The first folk was strong with Odin´s might,
the second Frigg´s favor had won.

Frigg asked her husband: "Make strong the shields
and swords of my people in strife!"
The Grim One laughed, "On the battlefields
rule I and not you, my wife!"

But Frigg just smiled, and secretly went
to counsel her favorite peer:
"If you´d have victory, use this wile
though strange it sounds to your ear.

"Your army must be the first to be found
in the east, when sunrise begins;
Arm your women, and have their hair bound
together in front of their chins."

Thus Allfather saw them in battle-morn´s light,
exclaiming: "This army looks weird!
In Midgard beheld I many a sight,
but never I saw such long beards."

"Langobards", Frigg said, "henceforward they are,
since you just gave them this name.
For their naming a gift you must grant them, Har,
so victory bring them and fame!"

Odin grudgingly yielded; and in strife
the Langobards triumphed that day.
So, husbands, take care, for the wiles of a wife
over Odin´s will even hold sway!

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