"Return, brave and dear friend," he said to Vebba, "find out Siward the Earl; tell him that I, Godwin, his foe in the old time, place honour and life in his hands, and what he counsels that will we do .-- Go." The Kent man nodded, and regained his boat.

Then spoke Harold.
"Father, yonder are the forces of Edward; as yet without leaders, since the chiefs must still be in the halls of the King.

Some fiery Norman amongst them may provoke an encounter; and this city of London is not won, as it behoves us to win it, if one drop of English blood dye the sword of one English man.

Wherefore, with your leave, I will take boat, and land.

And unless I have lost in my absence all right here in the hearts of our countrymen, at the first shout from our troops which proclaims that Harold, son of Godwin, is on the soil of our fathers, half yon array of spears and helms pass at once to our side." "And if not, my vain brother ?" said Tostig, gnawing his lip with envy.
"And if not, I will ride alone into the midst of them, and ask what Englishmen are there who will aim shaft or spear at this breast, never mailed against England!" Godwin placed his hand on Harold's head, and the tears came to those close cold eyes.
"Thou knowest by nature what I have learned by art.