Besides, I say that England is not lost. But there were
but two things to do: either to have sent to William at once, and offered
him the crown, if he would but guarantee the Danish laws and liberties to
all north of the Watling street; and if he would, fall on the Godwinssons
themselves, by fair means or foul, and send their heads to William."
"Or what?"
"Or have marched down after him, with every man they could muster, and
thrown themselves on the Frenchman's flank in the battle; or between him
and the sea, cutting him off from France; or--O that I had but been there,
what things could I have done! And now these two wretched boys have fooled
away their only chance--"
"Some say that they hoped for the crown themselves.
"Which?--not both? Vain babies!" And Hereward laughed bitterly. "I suppose
one will murder the other next, in order to make himself the stronger by
being the sole rival to the tanner. The midden cock, sole rival to the
eagle! Boy Waltheof will set up his claim next, I presume, as Siward's
son; and then Gospatrick, as Ethelred Evil-Counsel's great-grandson; and
so forth, and so forth, till they all eat each other up, and the tanner's
grandson eats the last. What care I? Tell me about the battle, my lady, if
you know aught. That is more to my way than their statecraft.
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