Had it been my right arm I would
as lief have been killed at once, for what good is a man without his right
arm?"
"You would have learned to use your left in time, Osgod. Now if you can
walk, come down to the river, and I will see that you are among the first
attended to."
"I will lie down here," Osgod said, "for in truth I feel as if I need
sleep. For the last two days I have been scarce able to keep my eyes open,
and now that I have had a drink I feel that a few hours' rest will do me
more good than any monk."
Osgod's words came slowly and heavily, and as he ended he lay down on his
back. Wulf saw that it was best that he should sleep, and so left him. In
two hours a great number of lights were seen along the road, and soon a
crowd of men and women from York appeared and scattered themselves over the
battlefield, the monks pouring balm into wounds and bandaging them up,
while the men and women carried the wounded, as fast as they were attended
to, down to the river. The bodies of Tostig and of the King of Norway were
both found, and a guard placed over them, and in the morning that of Tostig
was carried to York for burial in the cathedral, while Harold Hardrada was
buried where he fell.
Harold sent messengers to the Norsemen's fleet offering mercy to them if
they would surrender, and their chiefs come to York and swear never again
to raise their swords against England--an offer which was thankfully
accepted, for the English fleet had entered the Humber, and their retreat
was cut off.
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