.

ALFRED THE ATHELING.
Of our long ride to the king's place there is little to tell.

Only that everywhere the news seemed to have flown before us, and men knew who we were and what our errand, crowding round us to hear all about the fighting, and to be assured that the Danes had truly gone.

And great cheer made they for us everywhere, so that we were treated as princes almost.
Therefore, that was a merry ride and a pleasant in the early June weather, and we were ever cheerful, for it so happened, as may have been already seen, that no one of us had lost close friend or kin in the battles, but had the rather gained much.

Yet maybe we were the only ones of whom that might be said; for mixed with the joy was mourning over all the land.