Frethorik about the Black Men

In the 282nd year since we had no Honoured Mother, and now all seemed lost, one went about to choose one.¹
The lot fell to Gosa surnamed Makonta.
She was Burghmaid at Fryasburgh and at Texland.
Bright of head and clear of sense, all good, and because her burgh alone was spared, everyone saw thence her calling.

Ten years later came the seamen from Forana and from Lyda’s burgh.⁵
They would drive out the black people with wife and child from the land.
Therefore would they gain the Mother’s advice.

But Gosa asked, canst thou bring one and the other back to their lands then aughtest thou to make speed, otherwise shall they not find their kinsmen again.
No said they.

Then said Gosa: They have tasted thy salt and eaten thy bread.¹⁰
Their body and life have they put under your protection.
Ye must search your own hearts.

But I will give thee a bit of advice.
Hold them until you are able to take them home again.
But hold them by your burghs thereabout.¹⁵
(Hold them outside of your burghs.)
Watch over their morals and teach them as if they were Frya’s sons.
Their women are the strongest here.
As smoke shall their blood blow away, until at last naught other than Frya’s blood shall remain in their posterity.
So are they abidden.²⁰

Now wished I well that my descendants should discover, how far Gosa spoke the truth.
When our lands were again to be entered, there came bands of poor Saxon men and women to the region of Stavia and to the Alderga, to seek golden and other ornaments out of the marshy ground.
Though the seamen would not allow that.
Then went they to dwell in the empty thorps at West Flyland to keep their body.