Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 224, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1912 — LAST OF THE SAXON KINGS [ARTICLE]

LAST OF THE SAXON KINGS

Death of Harold Left Norman Conquerors Free to Seize the Realm of England. On rush the Norman knights. But Harold is already in the breach', rallying around him hearts eager to replace the shattered breastworks. “Close shields! Hold fasj!” shouts his kingly voice. Before him were the 6teeds of Bruse and Grantmesnil. At his breast their spears; Haco holds over' the breast the shield. Swinging aloft with both hands his ax, the spear of Grantmesnil is shivered in twain by the king’s stroke. Cloven to the skull rolls the steed of Bruse. Knight and steed roll on the bloody sward. But a blow from the sword of De Lacy has broken down the guardian shield of Haco. The sword of Sweyn is stricken to his knee. With lifted blades and whirling maces the Norman knights charge through the breach. “Look up. look up, and guard thy head!” cries the f atal voice of Haco to the king.At that cry the king raises his flashing eyes. Why halts his pride? Why ’’drops the ax from hi# hand? As he raised his head, down came the hissing death shaft It smote the lifted lance; it crushed into the dauntless eyeball. He reeled, he staggered, he fell back several yards, at the foot of the .gorgeous standard. With desperate hand he broke the head of the shaft and left the barb, quivering in the. anguish. .. •; ; ' ... Gurth knelt over him. V, “Fight on!” gasped the king. “Conceal my death! Holy Cross. England to the rescue! Woe—woe!”' Rallying himself a moment, he to bis lent, clinched bis right hand, and fell cnce more—a corpse. —From Bulwer Lytfons "Harold.” *