Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/327

 It was  never  my  custom  to  take  to  flight,

but I  would  rather  die,  if  I  must,

for my  own  land;    and  almighty  God  knoweth

that I  will  never  turn  aside  from  His  worship,

nor from  His  true  love,  whether  I  die  or  live.

After these  words  he  turned  to  the  messenger

whom Hingwar  had  sent  to  him,  and  said  to  him  undismayed:

'Verily thou  wouldest  now  be  worthy  of  death,

but I  will  not  defile  my  clean  hands

with thy  foul  blood,  because  I  follow  Christ,

who hath  so  given  us  an  example,  and  I  will  blithely

be slain  by  you,  if  God  hath  so  ordained.

Depart now  very  quickly,  and  say  to  thy  cruel  lord;

Edmund the  king  will  never  bow  in  life  to  Hingwar

the heathen  leader,  unless  he  will  first  bow,

in this  land,  to  Jesus  Christ  with  faith.'

Then went  the  messenger  quickly  away,

and met  on  the  way  the  bloodthirsty  Hingwar

with all  his  army  hurrying  to  Edmund,

and told  that  wicked  man  how  he  was  answered.

Hingwar then  arrogantly  commanded  his  troops

that they  should,  all  of  them,  take  the  king  alone,

who had  despised  his  command,  and  instantly  bind  him.

Then Edmund  the  king,  when  Hingwar  came,

stood within  his  hall  mindful  of  the  Saviour,

and threw  away  his  weapons,  desiring  to  imitate

Christ's example,  who  forbade Peter