“I conceive thee,” answered Gurth, mournfully, “and the same thought of that one man makes my arm feel palsied.”
The King mused, and drew down the nasal bar of his helmet.
“Thegns,” said he suddenly, to the score of riders who grouped round him, “follow.” And shaking the rein of his horse, King Harold rode straight to that part of the hostile front from which rose, above the spears, the Northumbrian banner of Tostig. Wondering, but mute, the twenty thegns followed him. Before the grim array, and hard by Tostig’s banner, the King checked his steed and cried:
“Is Tostig, the son of Godwin and Githa, by the flag of the Northumbrian earldom?”
With his helmet raised, and his Norwegian mantle flowing over his mail, Earl Tostig rode forth at that voice, and came up to the speaker. [245]
“What wouldst thou with me, daring foe?”
The Saxon horseman paused, and his deep voice trembled tenderly, as he answered slowly:
“Thy brother, King Harold, sends to salute thee. Let not the sons from the same womb wage unnatural war in the soil of their fathers.”
“What will Harold the King give to his brother?” answered Tostig, “Northumbria already he hath bestowed on the son of his house’s foe.”
The Saxon hesitated, and a rider by his side took up the word.