But maybe there would have been a quarrel if Eanulf had not spoken.
"Peace, thanes," he said.

"Heregar is right, and we must avenge our dead.

Wulfhere is right, and for the land's sake we must give these Danes a lesson to bide at home.

Wislac is right, and this defeat must be wiped out.

Now say if you will help me to raise the levy afresh ?" "Aye, we will," said the thanes, but there was not that heartiness in their tones that one might have looked for.
In truth, though, it was no want of courage, but the thought of the easier plan of waiting, that held them back.
Then Ealhstan the Bishop rose up and faced us all, with his eyes shining, and his right hand gripping his crosier so tightly that his knuckles shone white.
"What, my sons, shall it be said of you, as it is said of us Dorset folk, that you let the Danes bide in your land and work their worst on you and yours?
I tell you that since we went back and saw, as we still see, their track over our homes, our folk burn to take revenge on them; and I, being what I am, think no wrong of counselling revenge on heathen folk.