Айвенго

Chapter 21

           "Icouldhavepledgedhimwithallmysoul,"saidAthelstane,"formytonguecleavestomypalate."

           "Thebaffledenvoy,"continuedCedric,pursuingwithanimationhistale,thoughitinterestednotthelistener,"retreated,tocarrytoTostiandhisallytheominousanswerofhisinjuredbrother.ItwasthenthatthedistanttowersofYork,andthebloodystreamsoftheDerwent,beheldthatdirefulconflict,inwhich,afterdisplayingthemostundauntedvalour,theKingofNorway,andTosti,bothfell,withtenthousandoftheirbravestfollowers.Whowouldhavethoughtthatupontheprouddaywhenthisbattlewaswon,theverygalewhichwavedtheSaxonbannersintriumph,wasfillingtheNormansails,andimpellingthemtothefatalshoresofSussex?—WhowouldhavethoughtthatHarold,withinafewbriefdays,wouldhimselfpossessnomoreofhiskingdom,thanthesharewhichheallottedinhiswrathtotheNorwegianinvader?—Whowouldhavethoughtthatyou,nobleAthelstane—thatyou,descendedofHarold’sblood,andthatI,whosefatherwasnottheworstdefenderoftheSaxoncrown,shouldbeprisonerstoavileNorman,intheveryhallinwhichourancestorsheldsuchhighfestival?"

           "Itissadenough,"repliedAthelstane;"butItrusttheywillholdustoamoderateransom—Atanyrateitcannotbetheirpurposetostarveusoutright;andyet,althoughitishighnoon,Iseenopreparationsforservingdinner.Lookupatthewindow,nobleCedric,andjudgebythesunbeamsifitisnotonthevergeofnoon."

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