"I know it," said Harold.

"It is rumoured that he has passed to our uncle Sweyn."

"I foresaw it," said the King.

"And that Sweyn will aid him to reconquer England for the Dane."

"My bode reached Sweyn, with letters from Githa, before Tostig; my
bode has returned this day. Sweyn has dismissed Tostig; Sweyn will
send fifty ships, armed with picked men, to the aid of England."

"Brother," cried Leofwine, admiringly, "thou providest against danger
ere we but surmise it."

"Tostig," continued the King, unheeding the compliment, "will be the
first assailant: him we must meet. His fast friend is Malcolm of
Scotland: him we must secure. Go thou, Leofwine, with these letters
to Malcolm.--The next fear is from the Welch. Go thou, Edwin of
Mercia, to the princes of Wales. On thy way, strengthen the forts and
deepen the dykes of the marches. These tablets hold thy instructions.
The Norman, as doubtless ye know, my thegns, hath sent to demand our
crown, and hath announced the coming of his war. With the dawn I
depart to our port at Sandwich [232], to muster our fleets. Thou with
me, Gurth."

"These preparations need much treasure," said an old thegn, "and thou
hast lessened the taxes at the hour of need."