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14034
Unknown Title
Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "What is it, Ranald? he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Witan is set now." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It seems impossible in frost and snow," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay; but there are proofs," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Forsworn and treacherous! he cried, in a thick voice that shook with passion." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hostages--chain them and bring them here. Their friends shall find somewhat waiting them here that shall make them wish they had kept their oaths!" }, ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Hear you this? the king said, in a terrible voice, when the noise ceased." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the deed of your own people your lives are forfeit. They have broken the peace, and even now are marching on us. Your leader, Osmund himself, has seen them." ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "What is this, lord king? Will you slay Osmund the jarl, who has kept his troth, even to coming back to what he knew would be his death? You cannot slay such a man for the oath breaking of others." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His friends slay him--not I," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "King Alfred, I said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have heard the bishop tell, in the great church here, of a king who slew the guiltless at Christmastide. There was nought too hard for any to say of that man. Moreover, I have heard strange and sweet words of peac...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Hear this, O ye Danes and foes of the Cross. For the love of Christ, and in His name, I bid you go in peace!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unbind them, my brother, and let them go--nay, see them safely to some strong house; for the poor folk may slay them in their b...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "First daughter and then father. We owe our lives to you." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nay, I answered," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Ride out with me, King Ranald, for we must count these Danes, and see that we are not overrating their number. After that we will join the king, who goes to Glastonbury." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "It is in my mind that Osmund, your friend, will fare ill among these Danes. They will hear how he rode back, and will hold that by his means the king escaped." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What can be done?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "The man is one...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here is a wise man, said Heregar." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He says that he swore to keep the peace with Alfred, and he will do it. He and the Lady Thora will go with us. There are one or two also of the other hostages who blame him for returning. He cannot stay...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Go rather to Rolf, your countryman, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There is great talk of his doings in Neustria {xii} beyond the Channel. It is your kindness only that holds you here, King Ranald, and there wait glory and wealth for you and your men." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "It shall not be said of me that I left King Alfred, who has been my good friend, in time of trouble; rather will I stay here and do what I can to help him out of it. Why, there are ships that I have put in frame for him in the western ports that the Danes will not reach yet, if ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Presently, he said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shall try to get back to Guthrum. While I am here I will be held as if I were no one--as a harmless ghost who walks the house, neither seeing nor hearing aught. If there were Welsh to be fought, I would fight besid...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Speak out, Dudda, said Heregar, who knew his ways;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, friends of ours sure enough; but are they the king's?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Most truly so. Have you news of him?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here is wizardry; or else what is the old dame about?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It is somewhat new to me," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "She is hammering the nail into her own footprint," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Peace, good mother, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mother, I have much skill in spells, but I know not what is wrought with hammer and nail and footprint. I would fain learn." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Little know you of spells if you know n...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Now, dame, know you of any thane in hiding hereabouts?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know nothing. Here be I, lamed, in the cottage all day." }, { "from": "human", "value": "There is a close friend of mine in hiding from the Danes somewhere here, I sai...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Mother, the scald said gravely," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why, so it should be." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nay, but you drive it into your own," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Man, she cried," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, so you have, said Harek;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I think she will shrivel up, said the old witch, with much content." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You are a great wizard, lord; ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "What is this?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "O my lord the king! she cried." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought that yon sad-faced man in Denewulf's house was our king maybe, so wondrous proud are his ways, and so strange things they hear him speak...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I know not the path, though I have heard of the cottage, Dudda said;" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Where is the king?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come with us, and we will take you to him, Ethered said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But supperless you must be tonight. We have nought in the house, and nothing can we catch." }, { "from": "g...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "How fares the king?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "His dark hour came on him after you went, Denewulf answered;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "It may be that our coming has been foretold him beforehand, said Heregar." }, { "from": "gpt", "va...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "O my king, said Heregar," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "First, because I must hide; lastly, because I would be hidden: but between these two reasons is one of which I repent--because I despaired." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nay, said Denewulf," }, ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here we have been pressed for food, friends, for the last few days, and I fear you must fast with us. The deer have fled from our daily hunting, and the wild fowl have sought open water. Unless our fishers have luck, which seems unlikely, we must do as well as we can on oaten br...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here is supper! he cried joyfully," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Deo gratias, he said under his breath, and then said aloud," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lo, this is the sign of which I spoke even now--that my fishers should return laden with spoil, ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Ranald, who brought to pass the sign, shall surely share in its bodings of good, he said, quickly and kindly." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think that he is highly favoured." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Now, he said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And if the plan fails, and the battle I look for goes against us, there remain Heregar's places yet. Petherton, Combwich, and Dowsborough are good places, where a king may die in a ring of foes, looking out over the land f...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "If the nobles build badly, there will be excuse for every churl to do the like hereafter. Therefore this must needs be the most handsomely-wrought fort in all Wessex." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Faith, brother king, now can I speak in comrade's wise to my churls as you speak to your seamen. Nor do I think that I shall be the worse ruler for that." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For many nights past I have seen watch fires yonder, he said;" }, { "from"...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "How shall we attack?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why, run through the camp in silence first and cut the tent lines, and then raise a war shout and come back on them. Then we may slay a few, and the rest will be scared badly enough." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "After we come through for the second time, we must take to this cover, and so get together at some place by the hill foot. There is a shed by a big tree that can be found easily." } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have to learn somewhat from the scald," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wizardry, my king?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nay, but song, he answered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I see not why I should not tell you who put the thought ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Have no fear, cousin; I will not go unless I am well prepared." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here you must meet this newcomer and drive him away, if it can be done, or if not, hinder him from coming further; or if that is impossible, do your best. I would have you remember that defeat here is not loss of all hope, for beyond Selwood lies our real gathering. But victory,...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "What news?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hubba will be here on the next tide--with early morning," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I would that I could make these two noble ladies seek refuge yonder, he said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "It is of no use, she said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, said Osmund," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "King Ranald, she said, after a little silence," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wonder if ever a maiden was in such sad doubt as I. I cannot wish that these dear ladies, who have made a friend of me, should see their folk beaten, and maybe slain; and cannot wish that...
14034
Unknown Title
Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Harder yet would it be if the jarl were in the battle against our friends. Then would the fear of his loss be a terror to you also." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is a strange business for the girl," }, { "from": "human", "value": "She seems almost a...
14034
Unknown Title
Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "She is glad I am honourably out of this business, and the trouble is not that. There are one or two, maybe, whom she would like to see as safe in the same way." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Also a wandering ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I am a poor sort of fairy prince, lady." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, she said;" }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am as good a fairy godmother, maybe. And perhaps I should have said nothing--at this time. But, Ranald, the maiden weeps for your dange...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "There is none in this land or in any other--of whom I think as I do of Thora, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that is well said, answered Etheldreda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "But you must ask it for yourself." }, { "from": "gpt"...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "She bids me give this to her king and warrior, Etheldreda said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did but tell her that you asked a token that she minded you." }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was well, I answered." }, { "from": "gpt", "value...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Do you care to know it, Ranald?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, with all my heart," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "There, she said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I would I had the tongue of Harek the scald, that I might thank you for gift and words, my fairy princess." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have half a mind to take it back for that fine saying," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "The Raven." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I thought you slain, friend," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would that I were! for my charge is lost; they have my banner," }, { "from": "human", "value": "That may be won back yet, I said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But there is no shame ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Thane, I said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Let us ride at once into the wood, and wait for them to pass us. Then, if we dare, we can surely dash through them." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here is more madness. But trust to Ranald's luck, thane." ...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "If we get it, I whispered to the thane, whose eyes were shining," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "It is good of Hubba to give us the chance of living a little longer, answered Odda;" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have a mind to send Osmund to Hubba, and ask him to let the women go hence. There is nought to eat today." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There is enough kept for them," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ay, he answered;" }, { "from": "gpt", "v...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Ah! he said, under his breath," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Skoal to the shield maiden!" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Skoal to the heroes!" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "What would you in this guise, my daughter?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think that I have come as Ranald thought--as a Valkyria to lead you to battle, she answered, speaking low, that she might not wake the tired warriors around her." }, { "from": "human"...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Once or twice has the Berserker fury come on me when my master has been in peril. Berserker again will you drive me, lady, so that I care not for six foemen against me or sixty." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What goes on yonder? Do they leave us?" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Now has our time come, even as Eahlstan foretold to me. In two hours or three none of that force can return, and we have but half as many again as ourselves left here for us to deal with." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Let me lead you on them," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Ealdorman, I said," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, king!" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go on, Berserker--axes must needs lead--we will do it." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "We shall not be foremost long, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ho! said Harek to me;" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "What if we advance towards the hill crest?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Slowly, then," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Raven" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "My fight, Ranald," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Axe against spear, said Harek;" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I thought you slain outright, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I cannot tell, he said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I believe I am sound in limb, but my wind is gone. It is ill for a stout man to have mail-clad Danes hurled on him by heavy-hande...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Raven." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ho, comrades! he cried joyfully," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have seen it many times before, said Heregar;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, said Odda." }, { "from": "human", "value": "...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "It was a good fight, Ranald, and well won," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "King Ranald, they say my warrior has fought well." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had been strange had I not, Thora," }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think I should have hated my own kin had you fallen," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, s...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "You are hurt, she said;" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "My lady, I said," } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe they will finish painting her, and we shall be able to launch her, when we go back, without more trouble, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Two of Hubba's ships, moreover, are worth having." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "When I know that the Danes have their eyes fixed on Quantock side again, I shall strike," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have been in Athelney, I answered," } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Nay, father, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I fear it, knowing what it is. Let me bide for a time till I am stronger in these deep things." } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "What ails you, my king?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I will tell you, cousin, he said." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Plainly has Neot shown me that all these troubles have come from my own pride and self will when first I was king. It is a long chain...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "The king has robbed you of your glory, Ranald. He has been into the Danish camp--even to the presence of Guthrum himself." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, he said, when he had greeted me and heard that the ships were almost ready," }, { "from": "human", ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "King Alfred makes some new move, I said to him," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some day it will end, he said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this at last will give a strong overlord to England," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ay, for the ...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have found the fairest land under the northern sun, I said;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I would not have had it otherwise, he said, kindly taking my arm." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have seen what was coming long before Etheldreda spoke. It ha...
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I do not know, however, said Osmund," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "If that is so, I shall go hence, I said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There are things that come before friendship." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, he answered," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet I should be loth to leave Alfred, I sa...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Father, I am Alfred the king, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Far have I ridden on this holy day. Now I would fain hear mass and have your blessing before we go on." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Amen" } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "This is the end, said Alfred, as the Danes came on." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Be ready, spearmen, when I give the word." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "These have given their lives not in vain, for they have helped to bring peace, and have died to set an English king over the English land." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Waeshael to Alfred the king!" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "Let every man who has any knowledge of care for the wounded, or who has known a wound of his own and the way it was cared for, go among these brave ones and help them." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Now is our work to be done, king. These Danes will take Hubba's ships and be gone down the river next. We must stop them in some way, for the king's plan is to starve them out, as it seems." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Thor's hammer smite them! he growled;" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is there a chain cable anywhere?" }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not one in the place, he said;" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I have it, he cried." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There is an old vessel that lies in a creek a mile down the river. A great buss {xvi} she is, and worth nothing; but she will float, and maybe will be afloat now. If we can sink her across the channel in a place tha...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Then will the Danes take our ship to sea, and we have lost her for good. It should not be said of us that we let her go without a blow struck to save her." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sink this hulk straightway, then," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "We should have bided in her and fought, growled Thord." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now in five minutes we shall see the bottom ripped out of our own ship by our own deed." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Falling out already?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not so, but a greater trouble than that, I said," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ay, I suppose you could patch up a quarrel for yourselves, she said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is t...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "One thing I must tell you, my Norseman, and that is that our thanes who know little of you will be jealous that you should have much dealing with any Dane as yet." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "One other thing there is, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If there is to be any brotherhood between us, it must be as between Christians. The ways of persecution must be forgotten and that cannot come to pass until the chiefs at least have accepted the faith....
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Once you brought a token of good to me, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that was all unknowing. Go now and take a message of good to Guthrum openly, and have no fear." }, { "from": "human", "value": "What shall I say?" }, { "from": "gp...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "I do not know that your errand is so hopeless as you seem to think, he said." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guthrum has harmed no Christians in East Anglia since he was king there." }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I answered," }, { "from": "...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Here have I been in England but six months or so, and I have more to sing of than ever I learned with Harald Fairhair," } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Two messages come to you today, Osmund said;" } ]
14034
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Unknown Author
[ { "from": "human", "value": "I think it right that I should stand in the presence of my king, but the son of King Vemund should not do so in any less presence than that of his overlord." }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have heard that Harald of Norway came to blows with his brother kings because...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Why has he not sent some priest to say this?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because he thought that a warrior would listen best to a brother warrior," }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ay, that is true, said the king." }, { "from": "gpt", "value...
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "What say you, as a stranger, Ranald?" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have known the ways of Harald of Norway, I answered." }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think that he would not have left a man of this host alive." } ]
14034
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[ { "from": "human", "value": "Let us be so with Guthrum," }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That will be fitting, he answered," } ]