Them I asked how long it was since the bride had gone, and they stared at me in stupid wonder, making no answer.

Then I bade them fly, for the Danes were coming; and at that they laughed, looking at one another slyly, proud of their own fancied wisdom.

So I left them and rode on.
Even as I came to the hill down to the bridge my horse stumbled and almost fell, and when I gathered him up, not losing my seat, I knew he was beaten.

And now I halted for good, unslinging my axe, and waiting to fight and hinder the Danes from going further, as yet.
It was all I could do.
Hand over hand they came up to me, and now Hoxne bells rang out in merry peals as the bride and bridegroom left the church.

The service was over, and unless our king had warned them, they would be coming back over the bridge in a few minutes.