This is a translation from Old English. The Battle of Maldon is an extract. In short the Earl decided to let the Vikings cross a causeway because his pride demanded there was a fair fight.

When the correct thing was to repel the invader.

In Old English the first stanza is:

Þa stod on stæðe,° stiðlice° clypode
wicinga ar,° wordum mælde,
se on beot° abead° brimliþendra°
ærænde° to þam eorle, þær he on ofre stod:
“Me sendon to þe sæmen snelle,°

The language has changed over a millenium. But the message remains.

Extract from the Battle of Maldon

Then stood on the shore, stoutly calling out
a Viking messenger, making speech,
menacingly delivering the sea-pirate’s
message to this Earl on the opposite shore standing:
“I send to you from the bold seamen,

a command to tell that you must quickly send
treasures to us, and it would be better to you if
with tribute buy off this conflict of spears
than with us bitter battle share.
No need to slaughter each other if you be generous with us;

we would be willing for gold to bring a truce.
If you believe which of these is the noblest path,
and that your people are desirous of assurance,
then pay the sea-farers on their own terms
money towards peace and receive peace from us,

for we with this tribute will take to our ships,
depart on the sea and keep peace with you.”
Byrhtnoth spoke, his shield raised aloft,
brandishing a slender ash-wood spear, speaking words,
wrathful and resolute did he give his answer:

“Hear now you, pirate, what this people say?
They desire to you a tribute of spears to pay,
poisoned spears and old swords,
the war-gear which you in battle will not profit from.
Sea-thieves messenger, deliver back in reply,

tell your people this spiteful message,
that here stands undaunted an Earl with his band of men
who will defend our homeland,
Aethelred’s country, the lord of my
people and land. Fall shall you

heathen in battle! To us it would be shameful
that you with our coin to your ships should get away
without a fight, now you thus far
into our homeland have come.
You shall not so easily carry off our treasure:

with us must spear and blade first decide the terms,
fierce conflict, is the tribute we will hand over.”