University of Virginia Library

XVI.

“But why conceal thy rank?” “Fair reason why!
Thou, in the north, hadst friends, but none had I.”
“I friends?” “Ay—thousands, had our names been known,
Who would have seized my Captive as their own.
—Of all that people the Northumbrian plains,
One half at least are Danes, or sons of Danes,
The relics of past inroads, men who now
Have wisely changed their armour for the plough;
Thy future subjects, who received, unknown,
The vanquished guardians of the Saxon throne,
Until the time was ripe.—My friends I found
In arms assembled on th' appointed ground,
And burning to be led to war. For me,
I had designed a previous scrutiny,
That I might learn how you in camp were laid,
And how, and where, attack might best be made.
I changed my wonted garb, a harp prepared,
And as a wandering Minstrel forth I fared;
With ease, admittance to your camp obtained,
And e'en the royal tent of Guthrum gained.
Nay, thou thyself didst praise my minstrel-skill,
And pay it—which is something better still!
Look here! nor need'st thou greatly blame thine eyes;
They saw me, Aymund, under some disguise!”
I looked, and lo! my own, my well-known ring
Gleamed on the finger of the smiling King—
The very same which, as his song's reward,
I had presented to the seeming Bard!
The eye of Guthrum flashed. “By mighty Thor,
And mighty Woden!” it was thus he swore—
Unmindful, or perhaps oblivious now,
Of his late Christian rite and solemn vow—
“If I had known thee! Past, alas, is past,—
But that achievement should have been thy last!”
The Monarch smiled the honest truth to hear,
Rough from a heart that never knew a fear.