Now," he
said less gravely, in order to turn their thoughts from the sad scenes they
had witnessed, "what think you of the future, will the Northern earls head
a national movement against us?"
"They are foul traitors!" Beorn exclaimed passionately; "and I would that
Wulf and I could meet them in fair lists and fight them."
"They will do nothing," Wulf said more quietly. "They will hasten to make
the best terms they can for themselves, and will ask to be permitted to
hold their earldoms as his vassals. But they will not long enjoy their
treachery; they are ever intriguers, and as soon as they see their
opportunity will conspire against William as they conspired against Harold.
Thank heaven they will receive scantier mercy at his hands than they
received at the king's. As for the South and East, who is to lead them?
There is no one left to whom they can look for guidance; doubtless in some
places they will resist, but such resistance can only bring ruin upon those
who attempt it. Maybe some will take to the forests or the great eastern
marshes, and may perhaps hold out for months, or even years. But what can
it avail in the end? Had Harold escaped alive there would have been many a
battle as obstinate as that of yesterday to fight before England was
conquered. Had any of the greater thanes escaped men would have flocked to
them, but they are all gone, save the few that were found well-nigh
lifeless this morning.
Pages:
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456