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Quote by Bernard Cornwell

“Men do not relish the shield wall. They do not rush to death's embrace. You look ahead and see the overlapping shields, the helmets, the glint of axes and spears and swords, and you know you must go into the reach of those blades, into the place of death, and it takes time to summon the courage, to heat the blood, to let the madness overtake caution.”

Quote by Bernard Cornwell

Work

Death of Kings

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Author

Bernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell, born on February 23, 1944, is a renowned British historical novelist. His works, set in medieval England, are particularly known for their vivid depiction of warfare and knightly life, enjoying great popularity among readers. more

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“Thirty paces, twenty, and you can see the eyes of the men who will try to kill you, and see the spear-blades, and the instinct is to stop, to straighten the shields. We cringe from battle, fear claws at us, time seems to stop, there is silence though a thousand men shout, and at that moment, when terror savages the heart like a trapped beast, you must hurl yourself into the horror. Because the enemy feels the same. And you have come to kill him. You are the beast from his nightmares.”

“The very old lady in black looked up at a notice over the window: TO STOP THE TRAIN PULL DOWN THE CHAIN PENALTY FOR IMPROPER USE, FIVE POUNDS. She smiled the gentlest, sweetest smile. "All my life I have been afraid that one day the temptation would prove too much for me," she said. "Don't suppose there's anyone who doesn't feel like that, ma'am," said the soldier, grinning.”

“And at the end of the evening he and Dym had made plans, airy ambitious plans, of all that they would do after the war. Euphemia had laughed at the planners. “What boundless energy you have, Jacob!” she had said. Jacob had turned - Tony could see the dark, curly head and sparkling eyes quite plainly - and smiled at her. “Madam,” he had said, “if I had a thousand lives, I could fill them all.”

“The captain was amusing. He said that he himself couldn't draw and proved his words by drawing his own house for his prisoner to see. It was just such a house as the babies drew in the kindergarten: a square box with four square windows, a door and two chimneys, each with a neat curl of smoke. "That's best I can do," said the Captain, laughing. Max laughed with him for politeness' sake, though inwardly he was shocked that an important man like the Captain made a fool of himself. "Vater does not draw," he said kindly, "nor does Mutti; but they are both very keen on photography. Perhaps you are good at that?" "Not brilliant," said the Captain.”

“Hadn't we better turn it lower?" Tony whispered. "Eh, what? It's quiet enough, I think." Tony flung a hunted glance at the window. "You have let me listen in to Germany. If the police find out, there will be great trouble -" "There won't be any trouble at all," said Thomas. "You're in England, remember. You're free to tune in to any station you please.”