Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rudyard Kipling
‘“No matter how he was forced,” said Henry, “England was from the grave.
promised to my Father William by Edward the Confessor. Is ‘“Ah, now we see how the traitor himself was betrayed!”
it not so?” William of Exeter nodded. “Harold confirmed said William of Exeter, and looked for a smile from the King.
that promise to my Father on the bones of the Saints. After- ‘“I made thee Bishop to preach at my bidding,” said Henry;
wards he broke his oath and would have taken England by and turning to Harold, “Tell us here how thy people fought
the strong hand.” ‘“Oh! La! La!” Rahere rolled up his eyes like us?” said he. “Their sons serve me now against my Brother
a girl. “That ever England should be taken by the strong hand!” Robert!”
‘Seeing that Red William and Henry after him had each in ‘The old man shook his head cunningly. “Na—Na—Na!”
just that fashion snatched England from Robert of Normandy, he cried. “I know better. Every time I tell my tale men stone
we others knew not where to look. But De Aquila saved us me. But, Thanes, I will tell you a greater thing. Listen!” He
quickly. ‘“Promise kept or promise broken,” he said, “Harold told us how many paces it was from some Saxon Saint’s shrine
came near enough to breaking us Normans at Santlache. “ to another shrine, and how many more back to the Abbey of
“Was it so close a fight, then?” said Henry.
the Battle.
“A hair would have turned it either way,” De Aquila an- ‘“Ay,” said he. “I have trodden it too often to be out even ten
swered. “His house-carles stood like rocks against rain. Where paces. I move very swiftly. Harold of Norway knows that, and
wast thou, Hugh, in it?”
so does Tostig my brother. They lie at ease at Stamford Bridge,
‘“Among Godwin’s folk beneath the Golden Dragon till and from Stamford Bridge to the Battle Abbey it is—” he
your front gave back, and we broke our ranks to follow,” said muttered over many numbers and forgot us.
Hugh.
‘“Ay, “ said De Aquila, all in a muse. “That man broke
“But I bade you stand! I bade you stand! I knew it was all a Harold of Norway at Stamford Bridge, and came near to
deceit!” Harold had waked, and leaned forward as one crying breaking us at Santlache—all within one month.”
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