And as I looked I thought I had never seen more beautiful arms. No
better were they than the other two suits, for all three were of good
Sussex ring mail as to the byrnies, [x] while the boar-crested helms
were of hammered steel.
But mine was silver white, with gold collar and gold circles round the
arms. Gold, too, was the boar-crest of the helm, and gold the circle
round the head, and to me it seemed as I looked that this was too good.
And Ealhstan knew my thoughts and answered them.
"Black for the man of dark counsel, bright steel for the warrior, and
silver-bright armour for the man who brings back hope when all seems lost."
"That is good," said Wislac. "Now read us the meaning of the gold
thereon also," for he seemed to see that the bishop had some meaning in
that, whereat the bishop smiled.
"Gold for trust," he said, "and for the man who shall be honoured."
"That is well also," said Wulfhere, and Wislac nodded gravely.
"Now," said the bishop, "I will put Heregar out of my council for a
minute, so that he may not speak nor hear. Tell me, Thanes both, if it
will be well to give Heregar the place whereto men shall rally in need?"
"Aye, surely," they said. "We know he can fill that place."
"Then shall he bear my standard," said the bishop, "and none will
gainsay it," and so he turned to me.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199