So presently men beheld them marching toward their place, cleaving
the throng of the women and children, a great company; for besides
that they had with them two score more of men under weapons than on
the day of the Weapon-show, all their little ones and women and
outworn elders were with them, some on foot, some riding on oxen and
asses. In their forefront went the two signs of the Battle-shaft and
the War-spear. But moreover, in front of all was borne a great staff
with the cloth of a banner wrapped round about it, and tied up with a
hempen yarn that it might not be seen.
Stark and mighty men they looked; tall and lean, broad-shouldered,
dark-faced. As they came amongst the throng the voice of their horn
died out, and for a few moments they fared on with no sound save the
tramp of their feet; then all at once the man who bare the hidden
banner lifted up one hand, and straightway they fell to singing, and
with that song they came to their place. And this is some of what
they sang:
O white, white Sun, what things of wonder
Hast thou beheld from thy wall of the sky!
All the Roofs of the Rich and the grief thereunder,
As the fear of the Earl-folk flitteth by!
Thou hast seen the Flame steal forth from the Forest
To slay the slumber of the lands,
As the Dusky Lord whom thou abhorrest
Clomb up to thy Burg unbuilt with hands.
Pages:
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445