those amongst us who may die tomorrow? When you once get into the fight,
and your blood gets warm, you will be all right; it is only the first
battle that gives one all these fancies."

"No; it is not that. I am of a race of warriors, and I do not suppose
one of that race ever felt like this in his first battle. I have often
looked forward to mine with joy, but now my mind is full of gloomy
forebodings: I feel as if some terrible danger, not that of the fight,
were hanging over me and mine, and as if I should never meet those I did
love once, either in this world or the next."

"The next! all we know about that comes from the priestly pratings. I
think, of the two heavens, Valhalla,[xxviii] with its hunting or fighting
by day, its feasting by night, would suit me best. I don't know why we
should think ourselves wiser than our ancestors; they were most likely
right about the matter, if there be another world at all."

"I cannot disbelieve, if you can," replied poor Elfric, "I have tried
to, but I can't. Well, I daresay I shall know all about it by this time
tomorrow."

"Pshaw! let tomorrow take care of itself; 'tis our first fight, Elfric,
and we will have no cowardly forebodings; we shall live to laugh at them
all. What shall we do with Edgar, if we get him tomorrow? I suppose one
must not shed a brother's blood, even if he be a rebel?"

"Certainly not; no, no."

"Perhaps it will be shed for me, and a lucky thrust with sword or lance
may end all our trouble, and leave me sole king; but won't the holy fox