Krista Isom
Indo-European:
Hoḱtō steyghmi gwhen ǵhwerm heh-terod
Eight steps to kill a beast of fire
Ói-no, hessi dreu kom déyw-o-kerd.
One, be steadfast with a shining heart
Dwó, weidsi kwe preḱsi déyw-omi balmi
Two, know and pray to God for strength
Tréyes, yugsi swemi ekwos pwe har-moes
Three, bind to oneself your horse and arms
Kwetwóres, smersi kob hesti pents dluhgh kwe m`e mreǵhús
Four, remember to succeed is a road long and not short
Pénkwe, weǵhsi uperi gweres pwe ḱóinoes
Five, ride over mounts and grasses
Swéḱs, sentos l``ed`osi swes weid swes
Six, (on the) path allow oneself to know oneself
Septḿ, weg'hsi, gwruHǵhsi, dáḱrusi
Seven, drag, bite, tear
Hoḱtō, gwhensi ǵhwerm
Eight, kill the beast
Merts hesti hedh
Death is sharp
Full English translation:
Eight Steps to Kill a Dragon
One, be steadfast with a shining heart
Two, know and pray to God for strength
Three, fully prepare yourself
Four, remember the road to succeed is a long one
Five, ride over long distances
Six, allow yourself to know yourself on the journey
Seven, drag, bite, tear
Eight, kill the beast
Death is sharp
This is a brilliant mimesis of the dragon-slayer theme in IE textual history. I really like the way it gets shorter but more intense in the last few lines. Good work.
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