Franks Casket - R - panel (Left Side) (original) (raw)

Rad byth on recyde ...
Or: On the road again ...

(rad) byþ on recyde rinca gehwylcum
sefte ond swiþhwæt, ðamðe sitteþ on ufan
meare mægenheardum ofer milpaþas.

(a ride) seems easy to every warrior while he is at home,
and very courageous to him who traverses
the highroads on the back of a stout horse.
(Ags. Runic Poem)

Now owning enough means to support his warriors our hero will march out expecting rich booty in the service of his lord. Those days anything far from home was 'alien' (Ger. unheimlich). Due to that, protection on the roads (i.e. on the way to war) was much desired. There were enough deities around, but which one should our rune master choose? What could he do to win their support for his client?