d there is ever sacrifice to the Asir when one
leads a host to battle, that luck may be on the right side; and now
I was to see a more wondrous thing than even that. I knew by this
time the meaning of what I saw, and there crept into my heart a
wish that I might take full part therein with Alfred, who had
taught me.

When all the ranks were ordered, and the deep columns were drawn up
on Iglea meadows in three sides of a square, there came a little
train of robed monks, at whose head was Bishop Sigehelm of
Sherborne, before whom went a tall gilded cross. Careworn and
anxious looked the good fathers, for there was not one of them who
had not a tale of Danish cruelty and destruction to tell, and more
than one had hardly escaped with his life; but now their faces were
brighter with new hope as they came into the open side of the armed
square and waited for a moment.

Alfred and we stood before them, and the bishop raised his hand. At
that we all knelt, with a strange clash and rattle of arms that
went round the great host and ceased suddenly, so that the
stillness was very great.

Then was only the voice of the bishop, who in a clear tone spoke
the words of peace to those who should pass hence in the coming
battle, that they might fight bravely, and even rejoice in death.

So he shrived the host, and at the end they said "Amen" in one
voice.

Thereafter the bishop prayed to the Lord of hosts--not such a
prayer as I had been wont to hear, but more wonderful, and with no
boasting therein, nor, as it were, any hate of the foe, but rather
the wish that the strife should make for peace, and even blessing
to them.

Then he lifted his hand and blessed all the host as they bared
their heads, and again the last word rolled deep and strong round
the ranks, and that was all; then Alfred cried cheerily to his men,
and we began our march that must needs end in battle.

There is a great road that climbs up the slope of the Polden Hills
from Glastonbury and then runs along their top to Edington and
beyond, and by this way we went, among pleasant woodlands.
Guthrum's own place was on the spur of Edington, because thence one
looks out on all the land that Alfred held, from the fort at Stane
hill to Bridgwater and Combwich and the sea beyond. That was only
eight miles from us, and was the point which we would win. Thence
to Bridgwater is five miles, and the town was now held in force by
the Danes; and where the road leaves the hil