When all was ready, Eanulf stood up and told the thanes, for some were men who had had no part in Osric’s levy, all about the fighting, and how it had ended.  And having done that, he asked for the advice of such as would have aught to say.

Very soon an old thane rose up and said that he thought all would be well if forces were so posted as to prevent the Danes coming beyond the land they then held.

And several growled assent to that; and one said that Danes bided in one place no long time, but would take ship again and go elsewhere.

That, too, seemed to please most, and I saw Eanulf bite his lip, for he was a man who loved action.  And Wulfhere, too, shifted in his seat, as if impatient.

Then they went back to the first proposal, and began to name places where men might be posted to keep the Danes in Parret valley at least, till they went away.

Then at last Wulfhere grew angry, and rose up, looking very red.

“And what think you will Parret valley be like when they have done their will therein?  Does no man remember the going back to his place when these strangers had bided in it for a while, after they beat us in Dorset?”

There were two thanes who had lands in that part, and they flushed, so that one might easily know they remembered; but they said naught.

Then Eanulf spake, very plainly: 

“I am for raising the levy of Somerset again, and stronger, and driving them out; but I cannot do it without your help.”

Then there was silence, and the thanes looked at one another for so long that I waxed impatient, and being headstrong, maybe, got up and spoke: 

“Landless I am, and maybe not to be hearkened to, but nevertheless I will say what it seems to me that a man should say.  Into this land of peace these men from over seas have come wantonly, slaying our friends, burning our houses, driving our cattle, making such as escape them take to the woods like hunted wild beasts.  Where is Edred the Thane?  Where is Matelgar?  Where twenty others you called friends?  Dead by Combwich, and none to bury them.  The Danes have their arms, the wolves their bodies.  Is no vengeance to be taken for this?  Or shall the Danes sail away laughing, saying that the hearts of the Saxons are as water?”

Then there rose an angry growl at that, and I was glad to hear it.  So was Eanulf, as it seemed.  And Wulfhere got up and stood beside me and spoke.

“This is good talk, and now I will add a word.  Why came back the Danes here?  Because after we were beaten before, we let them do their worst, and hindered them not; therefore come they back even now—­aye, and if we drive them not from us, hither will they come yet again, till we may not call the land our own from year to year.  I say with the ealdorman, let us up and drive them out, showing them what Saxons are made of.  What?  Are we done fighting after they have scattered one hastily gathered levy?  Shame there is none to us in being so beaten once, but I hold it shame to let them so easily have the mastery.”