The Danes have their arms, the wolves their bodies.
Is no vengeance to be taken for this? Or shall the Danes sail away
laughing, saying that the hearts of the Saxons are as water?"
Then there rose an angry growl at that, and I was glad to hear it. So
was Eanulf, as it seemed. And Wulfhere got up and stood beside me and
spoke.
"This is good talk, and now I will add a word. Why came back the Danes
here? Because after we were beaten before, we let them do their worst,
and hindered them not; therefore come they back even now--aye, and if
we drive them not from us, hither will they come yet again, till we may
not call the land our own from year to year. I say with the ealdorman,
let us up and drive them out, showing them what Saxons are made of.
What? Are we done fighting after they have scattered one hastily
gathered levy? Shame there is none to us in being so beaten once, but I
hold it shame to let them so easily have the mastery."
Then there was a murmur, but not all of assent; though I could see that
many would side with us. Whereon Wislac rose up slowly, and looking
round, said:
"I am a stranger, but having been present at the beating the other day,
yonder, am minded to see if I may yet go home on the winning side.
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