ay, I saw him yonder even now, and I am content. When the time comes
that for the sake of Goldberga you will gather a host and cross the
'swan's path,' I will not hold back, if you will have me."

There was spoken the mind of all that company, and they were not
backward to say so. For in the heart of the Dane is ever the love of the
sea, and of the clash of arms on a far-off strand that comes after
battle with wind and wave.

Very bravely did Goldberga thank the chiefs for their love to her
husband and herself in a few words that were all that were needed to
bind the hearers to her, so well and truly were they chosen. And she
said that if the Anglian land was to be won it was for Havelok and not
for herself altogether, and she added, "Here we have spoken as if
already Hodulf was overthrown, and it is good that we are in such brave
heart. Yet this has been foretold to me, and I am sure that there will
be no mishap."

Then Sigurd said, "What gift do we give our queen, now that she has come
among us?"

But Goldberga replied, "If it is the custom that one shall be given, I
will mind you of the promise hereafter, when Anglia is won, and you and
I are Havelok's upholders on that throne. There is one thing that I will
ask then, that a wrong may be righted."

"Nay, but we will give you some gift now, and then you shall ask what
you will also."

"You have given me more than I dared hope," she said, "even the brave