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The Collected Works of William Morris

With Introductions by his Daughter May Morris

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Silence there was about him at this word,
Except that Bodli muttered in his beard:
“Now certainly a good reward we have,
In that we cast away what fortune gave,
Yet doubtless shall our names be bruited far
When we are dead—then, too, no longings are
For what we may not have.”
So as he came
The man went, and e'en Kiartan now had blame
For his rash word. “What will ye, friends?” he said;
“The king is wise; his wrath will well be weighed;
He knoweth that we shall not fall for nought.

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Should I speak soft?—why then should we be brought,
Unarmed belike, and helpless, one by one
Up to the bishop when the feast was done—
What, Kálf! thou say'st, aboard, and let us weigh?
Yes, and be overhauled ere end of day
By the king's longships—nay, friends, all is well;
And at the worst shall be a tale to tell
Ere all is o'er.”
They hearkened, and cast fear
Aside awhile; for death had need be near
Unto such men for them to heed him aught.