William Morris

“ Now Hardcastle has Fiddle-bow bare in his fist, but Osberne takes Board-cleaver from his girdle and unwinds the peace-strings; then he stands still for a moment and looks toward his foeman, who cries out at him: Haste thee, lad, I were fain done with it. Then Osberne draws forth the blade, and it made a gleam of white in the grey day, and as the folk say who stood thereby, as Board-cleaver came forth bare there came a great humming sound all about. ”

“ Now thou warrior! and straightway Hardcastle comes leaping toward him; and Osberne abode him as he came on with uplifted sword, leapt lightly to one side, and thrust forth Board-cleaver and touched his side, so that all could see the blade had drunk a little blood. Fiercely and fast turned Hardcastle about on the lad, but therewith was he within the ruffler's stroke, and Board-cleaver's point was steady before Osberne's breast and met Hardcastle's side, and made a great wound with the point, and the warrior staggered back, and his sword-point was lowered. ”

“ Draw nigh, goodman and grandsire, and take again the house and lands of Wethermel, as ye had them aforetime before yesterday was a day. So the goodman came to him and kissed him, and thanked him kindly and humbly, and the women came and embraced him and hung about him. ”