Scarcely was this speech said to the end, that they saw Hengest approach over the down.  With a numerous host they fiercely marched, together soon they came, and terribly they slew, there the stern men together rushed themselves, helms there gan resound, knights there fell, steel went against the bones, mischief there was rife; streams of blood flowed in the ways; the fields were dyed, and the grass changed colour!  When Hengest saw that his help failed him, then withdrew he from the fight, and fled aside, and his folk after speedily moved.  The Christians pursued after, and laid on them, and called Christ, God’s son, to be to them in aid; and the heathen people also called loud, “Our God Tervagant, why failest thou us now?” When Hengest saw the heathens recede, and the Christian men come upon them, then fled Hengest through and through, until he came to Coningsburgh; in the burgh he went, safety to obtain.  And the King Aurelie went after him anon, and called to his people with loud voice:  “Run ever forth and forth!  Hengest is gone northwards!” And they pursued after him until they came to the burgh.  When Hengest and his son saw all the host come after them, then said Hengest, of all knights wrathest, “Will I no more flee, but now I will fight, and my son Octa, and his wed-brother Ebissa!  And all my army, stir ye your weapons, and march we against them, and make we strong slaughter!  And if we fell them not, then be we dead, laid on the field, and deprived of friends!” Hengest marched on the weald, and left all his tents; and made his shield troop all of his heathen men.  Then came Aurelie the king, and many thousands with him, and began there another fight, that was exceeding strong; there was many great stroke dealt in the combat!  There were the Christians well nigh overcome.  Then approached there five thousand riders, that Aurelie had on horse to fight; they smote on the heathens, so that they down fell; there was fight most strong, combat full stern!

In the fight came the Earl Aldolf of Gloucester, and found Hengest, wickedest of knights, where he fought fiercely, and felled the Christians.  Aldolf drew his good sword, and upon Hengest smote; and Hengest cast the shield before him, and else were his life destroyed; and Aldolf smote on the shield, so that it was shivered in two.  And Hengest leapt to him, as if it were a lion, and smote upon Aldolf’s helm, so that it parted in two.  Then hewed they with swords—­the strokes were grim—­fire flew from the steel, oft and well frequent!  After a time, then leapt Aldolf to the ground, and saw by him Gorlois, who was a keen man full truly; of Cornwall he was earl, he was widely known.  Then was the baron Aldolf much the bolder, and heaved high his sword, and let it down swing, and smote Hengest on the hand, so that he let go his good brand; and in haste grasped him, with his grim looks, by the cuirasses hood that was on his head, and with great strength struck him down; and then he him up drew, as if he