And it reached the ears of the Danes who waited for us, and they broke out into their war song--the Heysaa--and thereat our men sprang up and shouted thrice, and then the sullen silence of the Saxon kin settled down on them, for we are not wont to speak much when work is meant.
Silently we crossed the heath between us and the yelling Danes, and I rode beside Eadmund in my old place, and my heart was light, and sword Foe's Bane rattled in the scabbard as if longing to be let loose.

And all the while I kept my eyes on Streone, who was riding among his Mercians twenty yards away to our right, and presently behind him I saw Thrand and Guthorm.
I thought that was ill for Streone, but I could not help it now--we were but a hundred yards from the foe.

The first arrow flight crossed as I saw them, and then Eadmund cried: "Forward--remember Sherston!" At that word the front ranks sprang like wolves to meet one another--and then came the shock of the meeting lines and the howl and cheer of Dane and Englishman--and under the arrow storm the spear and axe and sword were at work.
I kept my shield up and covering Eadmund's right side, and watched.
The time for us to take our part had not come yet.

And Eadmund looked on his foes to see what chance might be for a charge that would break them when arms grew weary.
Many were the brave deeds that I saw done in that little time, as the first lines fought man to man.

And presently I knew that over against us was Cnut the king, for I saw one who was little more than a boy, whose helm bore a golden crown.