Tale the Thirteenth

Siegfried, king of Moorland, called for all his men; Ships were soon made ready, wherever they were seen; Then with food and weapons to load them it was bidden, For war against King Herwic: from all but faithful friends his thoughts were hidden.

A score of wide, strong barges bade he to be made. I ween they liked it little to whom the king now said That forthwith unto Sealand to fight must they be faring; And he would thither hasten as soon as, winter o’er, springtide was nearing.

Eighty thousand warriors soon to him had come; Of fighting men in Alzabie none were left at home. Then swore the Moorland princes for war to make them ready; Some of these still lingered, others to follow with the king were speedy.

Then against the Sealands the threat of war he made. This roused the wrath of Herwic, who well might him upbraid; To earn the hate of Siegfried wrong had he done him never. His marches and his castles he bade his men to guard, now more than ever.

Then he said in sorrow to friends who came in haste That foes would burn his castles, and his lands lay waste: All he could give his liegemen, that he held but lightly. They took their wages gladly; that war would bring them riches, hoped they rightly.

About the gladsome May-time, there went across the sea Warriors out of Alzabie, and eke from Abakie. Onward came they proudly, as tho’ the world’s end seeking; Many now trod boldly who in the dust their rest would soon be taking.