And the Thames bank to OwsenfoldIf Wessex goes to war.
"Guthrum sits strong on either bank, And you must press his linesInwards, and eastward drive him down;I doubt if you shall take the crownTill you have taken London town, For me, I have the vines."
"If each man on the Judgment Day Meet God on a plain alone,"Said Alfred, "I will speak for youAs for myself, and call it trueThat you brought all fighting folk you knew, Lined under Egbert's Stone.
"Though I be in the dust ere then I know where you will be."And, shouldering suddenly his spear,He faded like some elfin fear,Where the tall pines ran up, tier on tier, Tree over toppling tree.
He shouldered his spear at morning, And laughed to lay it on,But he leaned on his spear as on a staff,With might and little mood to laugh,Or ever he sighted chick or calf Of Colan of Caerleon.
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