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HAROLD THE DAUNTLESS.
Canto I.
Three Earls came against him with all their train,
Two hath he taken, and one hath he slain:
Count Witikind left the Humber's rich strand,
And he wasted and warr'd in Northumberland.
But the Saxon King was a sire in age,
Weak in battle, in council sage;
Peace of that heathen leader he sought,
Gifts he gave, and quiet he bought;
And the Count took upon him the peaceable stile,
Of a vassal and liegeman of Britain's broad isle.
Two hath he taken, and one hath he slain:
Count Witikind left the Humber's rich strand,
And he wasted and warr'd in Northumberland.
But the Saxon King was a sire in age,
Weak in battle, in council sage;
Peace of that heathen leader he sought,
Gifts he gave, and quiet he bought;
And the Count took upon him the peaceable stile,
Of a vassal and liegeman of Britain's broad isle.
IV.
Time will rust the sharpest sword,
Time will consume the strongest cord;
Time will rust the sharpest sword,
Time will consume the strongest cord;