Three days will I tarry in London for your gracious answer; on the fourth I depart.
May the saints guard your throne, and bring around it its best defence, the thegn-born satraps whose fathers fought with Alfred and Athelstan.
All went well with merrie England till the hoof of the Dane King broke the soil, and mushrooms sprung up where the oak-trees fell." When the son of Leofric had left the chamber, the King rose wearily and said in Norman French, to which language he always yearningly returned when with those who could speak it: "Beau frere and bien aime, in what trifles must a king pass his life! And, all this while, matters grave and urgent demand me.

Know that Eadmer, the cheapman, waits without, and hath brought me, dear and good man, the thumb of St.Jude! What thought of delight! And this unmannerly son of strife, with his jay's voice and wolf's eyes, screaming at me for earldoms!--oh the folly of man! Naught, naught, very naught!" "Sir and King," said Harold; "it ill becomes me to arraign your pious desires, but these relics are of vast cost; our coasts are ill defended, and the Dane yet lays claim to your kingdom.

Three thousand pounds of silver and more does it need to repair even the old wall of London and Southweorc." "Three thousand pounds!" cried the King; "thou art mad, Harold! I have scarce twice that sum in the treasury; and besides the thumb of St.Jude, I daily expect the tooth of St.Remigius--the tooth of St.Remigius!" Harold sighed.

"Vex not yourself, my lord, I will see to the defences of London.

For, thanks to your grace, my revenues are large, while my wants are simple.