It was never my custom to take to flight,
but I would rather die, if I must,
for my own land; and almighty God knoweth
that I will never turn aside from His worship,
nor from His true love, whether I die or live.
After these words he turned to the messenger
whom Hingwar had sent to him, and said to him undismayed:
'Verily thou wouldest now be worthy of death,
but I will not defile my clean hands
with thy foul blood, because I follow Christ,
who hath so given us an example, and I will blithely
be slain by you, if God hath so ordained.
Depart now very quickly, and say to thy cruel lord;
Edmund the king will never bow in life to Hingwar
the heathen leader, unless he will first bow,
in this land, to Jesus Christ with faith.'
Then went the messenger quickly away,
and met on the way the bloodthirsty Hingwar
with all his army hurrying to Edmund,
and told that wicked man how he was answered.
Hingwar then arrogantly commanded his troops
that they should, all of them, take the king alone,
who had despised his command, and instantly bind him.
Then Edmund the king, when Hingwar came,
stood within his hall mindful of the Saviour,
and threw away his weapons, desiring to imitate
Christ's example, who forbade Peter
