Skeleton In Armor- by LongfellowNOTES

“Talk to me – scared guest”; hollowed breast = skeletonRude = old; daunt = overcome w/fearAsking alms = begging for $; “Why are you here?”

Cavernous= deep, hollow, dark pale flashes = memoriesThis line compares memories as being as clear as Northern Lights in DecemberWater flows under snow – something is there, perhaps not seenWoe = sad; heart’s chamber – empty area where heart would be – grieving love?

Skeleton = Viking; speaking of his many and vary deeds (actions)Skald = ancient Scandinavian composer/reciter of poems that honor heroes & their deedsBut no one told you my story.So listen up – take heed – listen & learn, because if you don’tYou’ll suffer the same fate that I did – that’s why I was looking for you(Viking is a good ghost – he’s come to warn this man)

This line gives us the SETTINGChildish hand = Viking as a kid; Gerfalcon = largest type of falconHis ice skates were on real well and he skated on the not-yet-totally frozen water in the bayEven the dog was scared to walk out on the ice – Viking: FEARLESS & BRAVE, TOUGH GUY!

Lair = animal den He hunted the grizzly bearHare = rabbit Even the rabbit left in a hurryForest dark – nighttime in the forest; were-wolf’s bark – wolves howlingThis line just says he hunted all night until the lark (a bird) sang in the morning.

Corsair’s crew – a band of piratesMarauders – another word for piratesWe were a wild bunch! Souls that sped – fearful people that ran awayHearts that bled – those killed; our stern orders – the orders given by the Vikings

Wassail – alcoholic drink; partying going onLoud bunch – the festivities went on all night until the rooster crowedBerserk = dark, gloomy fantasy worldThey emptied (drank) the buckets that were filled with ale (beer)

NOTESRemembering a night when he was happily telling of his wild sea storiesSoft eyes = A GIRL!!! Burning yet tender = she was fascinated yet scared of this guyWhite stars = the girl; dark Norway pine = Viking; This last line tells us that Viking likes the girl!!

Wooed – seek the favor of a love/court or flirt with marriage as the ultimate conclusionYielding – giving in to2nd line – they pledged their love to each other in the protection of the forestHer heart is all fluttery because of this new love – she is like the birds in the nest that are frightened by the hawk (Viking) because ~ they’ll have to get Dad’s blessing/permission to court.

Information on the dad revealed – he is a KING! His name is Hildebrand.Shields on the wall in the hall, minstrels – medieval poets that put music to poetry and perform for the king. They were “chanting his glory”, HIS = King Hildebrand.Viking asks King Hildebrand for his daughter’s hand (in marriage)Mute = silence; Minstrels got silenced to hear Viking’s story.

Ale = beer; quaffed = drank; champion = the king. King laughed while he was drinking beerJust like the wind blows sea foam on the oceanLaugh of scorn = laughing AT Viking; lips unshorn = unshavenDrinking horn = what they drank out of; blew foam lightly – spewed a bit of beer foam

Yeah, the girl was royalty and Viking is a wild warriorBlushed & smiled = SHE LIKES HIM! Discarded = King tossed out Viking!Dove(girl)/delicate, graceful bird, Sea mew(Viking)/big, clumsy seagull (VIKING) . She followed him! King sent girl to her UNGUARDED room ~ so she left.

They (Vikings & the girl) left on the boat – they left Hildebrand behindShe was quite prettyWhen out on the ocean we saw Hildebrand waving his hand with a sword/weaponAnd he had 20 guys on horses with him.

They got in their boats and came after the VikingsThe Vikings were catching up to them, BUT THEN THE WIND STOPPED BLOWINGSuddenly, a headwind pushes back the Viking’s boatFoe = enemy “our foe” = Hildebrand and his guys; they were laughing at the Vikings because the wind wasn’t cooperating (bad for a sailor)

NOTES

Gale = strong wind; it blew the sail this way and thatHelmsman – guy up front of a boat, he works the sails; “Death without quarter” – take no prisoners - no mercy, death NOW to enemyThe two ships collided with each other – Viking ship (iron) Hildebrand (steel)Down went Hildebrand’s ship and all aboard died.

Fierce comorant – big, fierce bird – VIKINGLooking for land as he has the princess with himBut had to continue his sea journey “open main” - sailAnd they encountered a bad storm while journeying with the princess aboard.

The storm raged on for three weeks and pushed them westwardLAND HO!! Leeward = looking/sailing in the direction of the windHe built his lady a high towerAnd the tower faces the ocean – so she could look out and remember her dad

They lived there for a long time and eventually her grief was easedViking and Princess had a family – she was a motherBut she did die and the Viking has buried her under the towerAnd he is so lost because she was THE ONE – his one and only love. He wasn’t happy anymore.

Still = not moving. His heart was broken “stagnant fen” water area that is stillViking found no joy in others ; no joy in the dayHe put on his armor and went out to the big forest“Fell I upon my spear” killed himself on his spear. “Oh death was grateful!” Viking has suffered living without his wife

Scars = emotional pain, prison bars = LIFEHis soul went up to Valhalla Viking heavenHe was finally able to be with his warrior buddies & with his wife = happinessSkoal – it’s a friendly expression used by Norse warriors to their companions before drinking