Page:Goldenlegendlive00jaco.djvu/180

 man's age that, one of them shall slay that other if he can. And Harold, which is the stronger, shall put that other out of his land. Then shall his brother Tosti come again with the king of Norway, and hold a battle against Harold his brother in England, in the which both the king of Norway and Tosti shall be slain, and all their host save a few that shall escape. And the same Harold shall give himself to penance for the death of his brother and so escape, or else he shall be put out of his kingdom and die wretchedly.'

The king was many time moved and displeased with Godwin, for he misused the king's power, and attempted the king in many things that were unlawful. And in all that he might, he laboured to bring out of conceit the king's cousins and friends that came to him out of Normandy, to the intent that he might have all the rule about the king as well secretly as outward. And the king, understanding his falseness, said but little. But in a time, as the king sat at his dinner with divers lords and gentles about him, one of his servants was almost overthrown as he smote that one foot with that other, and yet the sadder foot saved all, and kept him on his feet; which thing gave occasion to the king to talk to his lords, and the two feet were likened to two brethren, that if one were overcharged that other should help and succour him. Then said the king: ’So might my brother have been a help to me, and a supporter in time of need, if he had not been betrayed of Godwin.' Then Godwin, hearing these words of the king's mouth, was sore afeard,