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.
"If the Northumbrians will receive thee again, Northumbria shalt thou have, and the King will bestow his late earldom of Wessex on Morcar; if the Northumbrians reject thee, thou shalt have all the lordships which King Harold hath promised to Gurth."
"This is well," answered Tostig; and he seemed to pause as in doubt;— when, made aware of this parley, King Harold Hardrada, on his coal- black steed, with his helm all shining with gold, rode from the lines, and came into hearing.
"Ha!" said Tostig, then turning round, as the giant form of the Norse
King threw its vast shadow over the ground.
"And if I take the offer, what will Harold son of Godwin give to my friend and ally Hardrada of Norway?"