Alfgar the Dane or the Second Chronicle of Aescendune by A. D. (Augustine David) Crake
page 75 of 317 (23%)
page 75 of 317 (23%)
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"Commend me to the bad ones then. Do not speak to me of a religion
which makes men cowards and slaves. These English were warriors once, till the Pope and his bishops converted them, and now what are they? cruel and treacherous as ever, only without the courage of men." Alfgar felt the injustice of all this, and with the example of Bertric in his mind, he cared nor for the accusation of cowardice. "Here, then, my boy, on this spot where thou wert once cradled, renounce all these Christian follies and superstitions, and thou shalt go back with me to the camp of King Sweyn, where thou shalt be received as the descendant of warrior kings, and shalt forget that thou, the falcon, wert ever the inmate of the dovecote." There was a time when this temptation would have been almost irresistible, but that time was over, and after one earnest prayer for strength from above, Alfgar replied. "My father, if you claim my obedience, I must even go with you to your people, but it will be to my death. I have said I am a Christian." "And dost thou think I have found thee--thee, my only son--to part with thee again so easily? nay, thou art and shalt be mine, and, if not mine, then thou shalt be the grave's; for either thou shalt live as thy ancestors have lived, a warrior and a hero, or the earth shall cover thee and my disgrace together." "Father, I can die." "Thou dost not fear death then?" |
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