THE VARANGIANS. 205 



himself free from this reproach, had of late nearly eradicated it from 

 his followers ; and the slight tendency to insubordination and mutiny 

 which had been created by the arts of the Norman spy, had been 

 entirely dissipated. Inferior in quality, but still resembling the 

 Varangians in many points, were the few Frank companies we have 

 before mentioned, whose fidelity had been more dangerously shaken 

 by the treacherous Montalto; but prompt and vigorous measures 

 had stopped the further progress of disaffection, and they might be 

 considered a trustworthy, and for their numbers a formidable body 

 of men. They were heavily armed, and carried shields ; their of- 

 fensive weapon was a long and ponderous sword. Some of the 

 light and Parthian-like Turkish cavalry had been obtained by inter- 

 cession from their powerful master, but their missile weapons were 

 fitter for harassing the march of an enemy, than for engaging in such 

 a contest as was now approaching ; nor were they very numerous. 

 The great bulk of the army was composed of the natives of the Em- 

 pire, and of these the people of Thrace, Epirus and Albania were 

 indisputably the most formidable portion. They were in fact by no 

 means deficient in courage or hardihood, but a numerous force of 

 their best men were already in garrison at Durazzo. The Greeks 

 and Asiatics were more effeminate alike in mind and body, and were 

 indeed but a feeble source of hope, although they were well pro- 

 vided with arms offensive and defensive, for close or for distant combat. 



It was sun-set when Redwald and Austin stood together a little 

 apart from the army on a small hill, which commanded a view of the 

 Norman camp. The former was in high spirits ; his eyes flashed, 

 and his countenance glowed with animation, as he looked on the 

 scene before him, and the " stem joy" of anticipated revenge filled 

 his bosom, as he beheld those foes whom he hated as men, whilst he 

 regarded them as antagonists ' e worthy of his steel." 



(l Behold ! my friend," said he, ( ' the moment we have so long 

 ardently desired is at hand. We behold the brethren of those 

 enemies who slew and despoiled our fathers, and now retain in 

 slavery and disgrace our unhappy country. Oh ! were that country 

 but half,so firmly united in purpose as is the small band of her sons 

 in arms in this plain, how surely were the fetters broken from their 

 limbs, and from their spirit, and their haughty tyrants trampled 

 bleeding beneath their feet, or hurled from the white cliffs of Albion 

 into the foaming tide ! Yet 'tis pity that we stand not here alone; 

 for though I am well assured the fortune of the coming day rests on 

 the English axes, and that where force and not craft is required our 

 womanish allies will not refuse us the work of battle, whilst in their 

 corrupt and luxurious capital, when danger is distant, they will 

 boast of their deeds of arms j yet will the world, will the Normans 

 themselves learn or confess to whom the glory of victory will be due 

 amongst these thousands ? But, no matter we at least shall possess 

 the proud consciousness of having humbled an enemy, and saved an 

 empire." Here glancing at his friend, he paused, in some surprise 

 and vexation, for Austin'stood with his arms folded, and his look indi- 

 cating gloom and abstraction, rather than martial or patriotic enthu- 

 siasm. 



