(ll. 200-208) Then a sound of wailing arose in the camp, an
evening-song of woe. A great fear was upon them; the nets of
death encompassed them about. The fatal tidings flew abroad;
tumult arose. The foe were resolute, a horde in armour gleaming,
until the mighty angel who upheld that host scattered the proud
and hateful multitude, so that no more might one behold another's
face; but their journey was divided.
(ll. 209-220) All that long night the fugitives had respite,
though foes beset them upon either hand, on the one side that
great host, on the other side the sea. They had no way of escape
nor any hope of their inheritance, but halted on the hills in
shining armour with foreboding of ill. And all the band of
kinsmen watched and waited for the coming of the greater host
until the dawn, when Moses bade the earls with brazen trumpets
muster the folk, bade warriors rise and don their coats of mail,
bear shining arms, take thought on valour, and summon the
multitude with signal-beacons unto the sandy shore of the sea.
(ll. 220-232) The leaders bold obeyed the battle-signal; the host
made ready. The seamen heard the trumpet-summons, and struck
their tents upon the hills. The army was astir. They numbered
off twelve companies of valiant men to form the van of battle
against their foes' grim wrath.
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