human
What shall you do now--if one may ask?
gpt
I know not. When I sailed from Wareham, I thought to have seen more sea service with Alfred your king. But now his men are going home, and in a day or two, at this rate, there will be none left to man the ships.
human
We can call them up again when need is,
gpt
They should not go home till the king sends them, I said.
human
This is not the way in which Harald Fairhair made himself master of Norway. Once his men are called out they know that they must bide with him till he gives them rest and sends them home with rewards. It is his saying that one sets not down the hammer till the nail is driven home, and clinched moreover.
gpt
That is where the Danes are our masters, the Saxon said, very gravely.
human
Our levies fight and disperse. It was not so in the time of the great battles round Reading that brought us peace, for they never had time to do so. Then we won. Now the harvest wants gathering. Our people know they are needed at home and in the fields.
gpt
They must learn to know that home and fields will be better served by their biding in arms while there is a foe left in the land. What says Alfred the king?
human
Alfred sees this as well as you, or as any one but our freemen, he answered;
gpt
Your king can build a grand ship, but she is of no use without men in her day by day, till they know every plank of her.
human
Ay, said the Saxon;
gpt
Why, I said,
human
What then?
gpt
Pay the shipman to mind the sea, that is all. Make his ship his living, and the thing is done.
human
It seems to me, the thane said,
gpt
As you will, I answered;