In truth, though, it was no want of courage, but the thought of the
easier plan of waiting, that held them back.
Then Ealhstan the Bishop rose up and faced us all, with his eyes
shining, and his right hand gripping his crosier so tightly that his
knuckles shone white.
"What, my sons, shall it be said of you, as it is said of us Dorset
folk, that you let the Danes bide in your land and work their worst on
you and yours? I tell you that since we went back and saw, as we still
see, their track over our homes, our folk burn to take revenge on them;
and I, being what I am, think no wrong of counselling revenge on heathen
folk. Listen, for ye are men."
And then he told us in burning words such a tale of what must be were
these heathen to have their way, such things that he himself had seen
and known after Charnmouth fight, that we would fain at last be up and
drive them away without waiting for the levy.
And at last he said:
"Eanulf, this will I do. I will gather the Dorset levy and lead them to
your help, and so will we make short work of these heathen."
Then all the thanes shouted that they would not be behind in the matter;
and so their cool Saxon blood was fired to that white rage which is
quenched but in victory or death.
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