.

THE GREAT LEVY.
It was not long before Eanulf made up his mind to action, and he was closeted with the bishop all that morning.

Then, after the midday meal, he called a council of all who were there, and we sat in the great hall to hear his plans.
Ealhstan came with him, and these two sat at the upper end of the hall, and we on the benches round the walls, for the long tables had been cleared.
When all was ready, Eanulf stood up and told the thanes, for some were men who had had no part in Osric's levy, all about the fighting, and how it had ended.

And having done that, he asked for the advice of such as would have aught to say.
Very soon an old thane rose up and said that he thought all would be well if forces were so posted as to prevent the Danes coming beyond the land they then held.
And several growled assent to that; and one said that Danes bided in one place no long time, but would take ship again and go elsewhere.
That, too, seemed to please most, and I saw Eanulf bite his lip, for he was a man who loved action.

And Wulfhere, too, shifted in his seat, as if impatient.
Then they went back to the first proposal, and began to name places where men might be posted to keep the Danes in Parret valley at least, till they went away.
Then at last Wulfhere grew angry, and rose up, looking very red.
"And what think you will Parret valley be like when they have done their will therein?
Does no man remember the going back to his place when these strangers had bided in it for a while, after they beat us in Dorset ?" There were two thanes who had lands in that part, and they flushed, so that one might easily know they remembered; but they said naught.
Then Eanulf spake, very plainly: "I am for raising the levy of Somerset again, and stronger, and driving them out; but I cannot do it without your help." Then there was silence, and the thanes looked at one another for so long that I waxed impatient, and being headstrong, maybe, got up and spoke: "Landless I am, and maybe not to be hearkened to, but nevertheless I will say what it seems to me that a man should say.