Why came back the Danes here?
Because after we were beaten before, we let them do their worst, and hindered them not; therefore come they back even now--aye, and if we drive them not from us, hither will they come yet again, till we may not call the land our own from year to year.

I say with the ealdorman, let us up and drive them out, showing them what Saxons are made of.
What?
Are we done fighting after they have scattered one hastily gathered levy?
Shame there is none to us in being so beaten once, but I hold it shame to let them so easily have the mastery." Then there was a murmur, but not all of assent; though I could see that many would side with us.

Whereon Wislac rose up slowly, and looking round, said: "I am a stranger, but having been present at the beating the other day, yonder, am minded to see if I may yet go home on the winning side.

And it would be shame, even as these two thanes have said, not to give a guest a chance to have his pleasure.

I pray you, thanes, pluck up spirit, and follow the ealdorman." Now, though Wislac's words seemed idle at the beginning, there was that in his last words which brought several of the younger thanes to their feet, looking angrily at him, and one asked if he meant to call that assembly "nidring".
"Not I," said Wislac, smiling peacefully, "seeing that you have done naught to deserve that foul name; but being a beaten man, as I said, I need a chance to prove that I am not 'nidring' myself, so please you." And they could not take offence at his tone, yet they saw well what he meant; and this in the end touched them very closely, for they were in the same case as he, but with more right, being of Somerset, to wipe out their defeat.