 | The Poetical Works of Robert Story |  |
II.
The instant that the warlike summons rung,That instant Guthrum to his feet upsprung;
Upsprung his valiant Chiefs, and hurried thence,
Each to secure his separate post's defence.
My earliest thought was faithful Eric—he
Who had imperiled everything for me;
Nor was my other, younger friend forgot—
I bade them mark the fight, but mingle not.
383
The highest guerdon ye shall both receive.
And if we fail, ye may, by acting thus,
Escape the fortune they will deal to us.
Ye can but share it, when all chance is gone!”
E'en while I spoke, I did my armour on,
And joining Guthrum's side—my ancient wont—
Rushed forth with him to meet the battle's brunt.
We met, instead, our men recoiling back
From the foe's first, and not least fierce attack,
Which, with the utmost skill and vigour joint,
Had been directed 'gainst our weakest point.
By threat, by gesture, there compelled to halt,
We led the fugitives to fresh assault,
Repulsed, in turn, the coming Saxon might,
Rolled back the entering current of their fight,
Cleared our own trench betimes, at point of blade,
And manned the breach which there the foe had made!
| The Poetical Works of Robert Story | |