He bethought him also that the
Shepherds, who had fallen on by the eastern road, valiant as they
were, were scarce so well armed or so well led as the others.
Therewithal he bethought him (and again it came like a picture into
his mind) of falling on the foemen by whom the southern battle was
beset, and then the twain of them meeting the Shepherds, and lastly,
all those three companies joined together clearing the Market-place,
and meeting the men under Folk-might in the midst thereof.
Therefore, scant had he been pondering these things in his mind for a
minute ere he cried out: 'Blow up horns, blow up! forward banners,
and follow me, O valiant men! to the helping of the Steer, the
Bridge, and the Bull; deep have they thrust into the Dusky Throng,
and belike are hard pressed. Hark how the clamour ariseth from their
besetters! On now, on!'
Therewith hung a star of sunlight on his sword as he raised it aloft,
and the Wolf-whoop rang out terribly in the Market-place, for now had
the Woodlanders also learned it, and the hearts of the foemen sank as
they heard the might and the mass thereof. Then the battle of the
Woodlanders swept round and fell upon the flank of them who were
besetting the kindreds, as an iron bar smiteth the soft fir-wood; and
they of the kindreds heard their cry, but faintly and confusedly, so
great was the turmoil of battle about them.
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