第28章

“Theredidourscoutsreturnandbringusnews，Thatdreadfulnoiseofhorseandarmstheyhear，AndthattheydeemedbysundrysignsandshowsTherewassomemightyhostofPagansnear。

Atthesesadtidingsmanychangedtheirhues，Somelookedpalefordread，someshookforfear，Onlyournoblelordwasalterednaught，Inlook，inface，ingesture，orinthought。

XV

“Butsaid，`AcrownprepareyoutopossessOfmartyrdom，orhappyvictory；

ForthisIhope，forthatIwishnoless，Ofgreatermeritandofgreaterglory。

Brethren，thiscampwillshortlybe，Iguess，Atemple，sacredtoourmemory，Towhichtheholymenoffutureage，Toviewourgravesshallcomeinpilgrimage。’

XVI

“Thissaid，hesetthewatchinorderrightToguardthecamp，alongthetrenchesdeep，Andashearmedwas，soeveryknightHewilledonhisbackhisarmstokeep。

NowhadthestillnessofthequietnightDrownedalltheworldinsilenceandinsleep，Whensuddenlyweheardadreadfulsound，Whichdeafedtheearth，andtremblemadetheground。

XVII

“`Arm，arm，’theycried；PrinceSwenoatthesame，Glisteringinshiningsteelleapedforemostout，Hisvisageshone，hisnoblelooksdidflame，Withkindledbrandofcourageboldandstout，Whenlo，thePaganstoassaultuscame，Andwithhugenumbershemmedusroundabout，Aforestthickofspearsaboutusgrew，Andoverusacloudofarrowsflew：

XVIII

“Uneventhefight，unequalwasthefray，Ourenemiesweretwentymentoone，OneverysidetheslainandwoundedlayUnseen，wherenaughtbutglisteringweaponsshone：

Thenumberofthedeadcouldnomansay，Sowastheplacewithdarknessovergone，Thenighthermantleblackuponitsspreads，Hidingourlossesandourvaliantdeeds。

XIX

“ButhardySwenomidsttheothertrain，ByhisgreatactswaswelldescriedIwot，Nodarknesscouldhisvalor’sdaylightstain，Suchwondrousblowsoneverysidehesmote；

Astreamofblood，abankofbodiesslain，Abouthimmadeabulwarkofbodiesslain，Andwhensoe’erheturnedhisfatalbrand，Dreadinhislooksanddeathsateinhishand。

XX

“Thusfoughtwetillthemorningbrightappeared，Andstrewedrosesontheazuresky，Butwhenherlamphadnight’sthickdarknesscleared，Whereinthebodiesdeaddidburiedlie，Thenoursadcriestoheavenforgriefwereared，Ourlossapparentwas，forwedescryHowallourcampdestroyedwasalmost，Andallourpeoplewell-nighslainandlost；

XXI

“Ofthousandstwainanhundredscantsurvived。

WhenSwenomurderedsaweachvaliantknight，IknownotifhisheartinsunderrivedFordearcompassionofthatwofulsight；

Heshowednochange，butsaid：`SincesodeprivedWeareofallourfriendsbychanceoffight，Comefollowthem，thepathtoheaventheirbloodMarksout，nowangelsmade，ofmartyrsgood。’

XXII

“Thissaid，andgladIthinkofdeathathand，Thesignsofheavenlyjoyshonethroughhiseyes，OfSaracensagainstamightyband，Withfearlessheartandconstantbreastheflies；

NosteelcouldshieldthemfromhiscuttingbranButwhomhehitswithoutrecurehedies，HeneverstruckbutfelledorkilledhisfoeAndwoundedwashimselffromtoptotoe。

XXIII

“Notstrength，butcouragenow，preservedonliveThishardychampion，fortressofourfaith，Struckenhestrikes，stillstrongermoretheystrive，Themoretheyhurthim，morehedoththemscathe，Whentowardhimafuriousknightgandrive，Ofmembershuge，fiercelooks，andfullofwrath，ThatwiththeaidofmanyaPagancrew，Afterlongfight，atlastPrinceSwenoslew。

XXIV

“Ah，heavychance！Downfellthevaliantyouth，NormongstusalldidonesostrongappearAstorevengehisdeath：thatthisistruth，Byhisdea

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