Now some deal we have been harried and have suffered by these wretches
who have eaten into the bowels of this land; that is to say,
they have lifted our sheep, and slain some of us who withstood them:
but whereas our houses be uncostly and that we move about easily
from one hill-side to another, it is like that we should have deemed
it wisest to have borne this trouble, like others of wind and weather,
without seeking new remedy, but that there have been tokens on earth
and in the heavens, whereof it is too long to tell thee, lord, at present,
which have stirred up our scattered folk to meet together in arms.
Moreover, the blood of our young men is up, because the Burg-devils
have taken some of our women, and have mishandled them grievously
and shamefully, so that naught will keep point and edge from seeking
the war-clash. Furthermore, there is an old tale which hath now come
up again, That some time when our folk shall be in great need,
there shall come to our helping one from afar, whose home is anigh;
a stripling and a great man; a runaway, and the conqueror of many:
then, say they, shall the point and the edge bring the red water
down on the dear dales; whereby we understand that the blood
of men shall be shed there, and naught to our shame or dishonour.
Again I mind me of a rhyme concerning this which sayeth:
The Dry Tree shall be seen
On the green earth, and green
The Well-spring shall arise
For the hope of the wise.
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