For now in the time of my death comes to me rede unearthly, as I think.

There must be a strong hand who shall weld England into one--who shall bid our land forget that difference has ever been betwixt Angle and Saxon, Jute and Northumbrian, Mercian and Wessexman, Saxon and English and Dane.

And when that wonder is wrought, then shall come peace and a new life to the land, under one who will give them the laws that they need to bind them into one English race, strong and honest, and patient in all things." Then said Eadward, as the king ceased: "That is what those who love England would most hope for." But his voice was hushed, as in the presence of one who sees beyond this earth.
Thereat the king looked on him, and said: "Have patience, my son, and you shall see it; aye, and you shall have part and share therein." After that he spoke no more, and for a time we waited beside him.
Soon he seemed to sleep, and I rose at a sign from the queen and left his chamber.

Nor did I ever see Ethelred our king alive again.
For when the morning came he had laid his heavy burdens down and had passed to the rest that he longed for.

And the bells that rang merrily for St.George's mass ceased, and the toll for the dead went mournfully over the city.
"Eadmund is king, God help him," men said.
So it came to pass that even as they buried the king in the great Church of St.Paul the Danish armies were closing round the city, and when I went to Olaf to beg him to advise me concerning the flight of the queen, he answered: "You and I must part, my cousin.