We will even go back to the hill." We went back, and then I think that we knew the worst.

We were hemmed in upon it, for the half of the Danish force that had remained were barring our way inland, while from the river every other man of the Danish host was coming up to attack us from that side.
"Now it would seem that some of us will stay on this hill for good," said Eadmund; "but if we must lie here till the last day it is a place whence one can look out over the English land and sea and river for which we have died." And so he drew us up in the ring again there on the hilltop, which was wide enough, and we sat down and waited for the coming of the Danes.
"Lord king," I said, "let us make a wedge and cut through the Danes inland.

So shall we win back to the open country, and we can gather men afresh." He smiled wearily at me, and it seemed to me that at last he had given up hope.

And but for Streone's treachery that thing would never have been.

It had broken our king's spirit.
"Friend," he said, "I will die here if I can." "That shall not be while there is one to give his life for you," I answered, and the thanes around us murmured "Aye!" in that stern voice that means more than aught of clamour.
Then I saw some Wessex thanes speaking earnestly to one another, and presently they beckoned to me, and while Eadmund sat silent on his horse I went to them to hear what they would.
"We will get the king off this field if we can," they said.