Beorn and Wulf and the two monks lifted it;
Edith walked behind, followed by Lord de Burg and several other Norman
knights and barons who had known Harold in Normandy, and could admire and
appreciate the valour of the dead hero. The little procession went down to
the shore, where Norman soldiers had already dug a grave, and there by the
coast he had defended so well Harold was laid to rest, and over his body a
great cairn of stones was raised by order of the duke.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE LORD OF BRAMBER.
Edith stood by while the Norman soldiers piled the stones over the grave.
No tear had fallen from her eyes from the time that she had reached the
field of battle. Her face was as pale as marble, and looked almost as
rigid. When the last stone was placed on the top of the cairn she turned to
Wulf and Beorn:
"Farewell, Wulf! farewell, Beorn! I am glad you were here. I am glad that
beside me stood two of his most trusted thanes, and two of the monks from
the abbey he founded, and whose welfare was so dear to him. I go to Lewes,
and when the doors of the convent close on me I shall be dead to the world.
Would that I were lying beneath that cairn by the side of my dear lord. I
cannot weep for him now, the springs of my heart seem frozen, but I have
time for that. Farewell, thanes! I shall remember you in my prayers." So
saying she turned away, and walked back to the litter.
"Poor lady!" Beorn exclaimed as he watched the litter, escorted by the two
monks, carried along the road.
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