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Updated: June 20, 2025
Vebba then strode briskly over the bridge; and Godrith, animated by the wine he had drunk, turned gaily on his heel to look amongst the crowded tables for some chance friend with whom to while away an hour or so at the games of hazard then in vogue.
Encouraged by the smile, Mallet seated himself on the corner of the long table that skirted the room, and with a debonnair gesture invited Vebba to do the same; then looking at him gravely, he resumed: "So frank and courteous thou art, Sir Envoy, that I yet intrude on thee my ignorant and curious questions." "Speak out, Norman." "How comes it, then, that you English so love this Earl Godwin?
The stout Vebba looked perplexed; but after stroking his beard thoughtfully, he answered thus: "Though of Kent, and therefore in his earldom, I am not one of Godwin's especial party; for that reason was I chosen his bode. Those who are under him doubtless love a chief liberal to give and strong to protect. The old age of a great leader gathers reverence, as an oak gathers moss.
Encouraged by the smile, Mallet seated himself on the corner of the long table that skirted the room, and with a debonnair gesture invited Vebba to do the same; then looking at him gravely, he resumed: "So frank and courteous thou art, Sir Envoy, that I yet intrude on thee my ignorant and curious questions." "Speak out, Norman." "How comes it, then, that you English so love this Earl Godwin?
"Yet is he a troublesome foe," said Godrith, who did not hear the sound Vebba had provoked, "and a thorn in the side both of the Earl and of England; and sorrowful for both England and Earl was it, that Harold refused to marry Aldyth, as it is said his father, wise Godwin, counselled and wished."
And fears so reasonable were not a little increased when Hilda, after leading the way up the steep ladder to the chamber in which Harold had dreamed his fearful dream, bade them all depart, and leave the wounded man to her care. "Not so," said Vebba, bluffly. "A life like this is not to be left in the hands of woman, or wicca. I shall go back to the great town, and summon the Earl's own leach.
"The oath, I have heard, was backed," said the knight drily, "by a present to Hardicanute, who after the death of King Harold resolved to avenge the black butchery; a present, I say, of a gilt ship, manned by fourscore warriors with gold-hilted swords, and gilt helms. But let this pass." "Let it pass," echoed Vebba with a sigh. "Bloody were those times, and unholy their secrets."
Holy Virgin!" cried Vebba, with his mouth full of the Phrygian attagen, "how came anything Moorish in our Christian island?" Godrith laughed outright. "Why, our cook here is Moorish; the best singers in London are Moors. Look yonder! see those grave comely Saracens!" "Comely, quotha, burnt and black as a charred pine-pole!" grunted Vebba; "well, who are they?"
"As you will, as you will, dear our King," cried Vebba, as spokesman for the soldiers. "Fear us not life and death, we are yours." "Life and death yours, and freedom's," cried the Kent men. Coming now towards the royal tent beside the standard, the discipline was more perfect, and the hush decorous.
"Hem," said the Kent man, a little perplexed, "certainly old manners are the best, and I suppose there is some good reason for this practice, which I, who never trouble myself about matters that concern me not, do not see." "Well, Vebba, and how likest thou the Atheling? he is of the old line," said Godrith.
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