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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:14:38 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/265-0.txt b/265-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8334d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/265-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2911 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald + Anonymous Icelandic Epic, 1250-1300 A.D., Although Parts + may be Based on a now Lost 12th Century Saga + +Author: Unknown + +Translator: W.G. Collingwood and J. Stefansson + +Release Date: July 3, 2008 [EBook #265] +Last Updated: March 9, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + + + + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings + + + + + +LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC THE SKALD + +By Unknown Author + + +Originally written in Icelandic sometime between 1250 - 1300 A.D. +although parts may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. + +Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). + + + + + +CHAPTER ONE. Cormac's Fore-Elders. + +Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There was a +chief in the kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; one of the +Vik-folk by kindred, a great man of high birth. He was the mightiest of +champions, and had been with King Harald in many battles. + +He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy even as a +child; who when he was grown of age and come to his full strength, took +to sea-roving in summer and served in the king's household in winter. So +he earned for himself a good name and great riches. + +One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he fell in +with a man named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great champion and had +worsted many vikings and men of war. These two heard tell of one another +and challenges passed between them. They came together and fought. +Asmund had the greater following, but he withheld some of his men from +the battle: and so for the length of four days they fought, until many +of Asmund's people were fallen, and at last he himself fled. Ogmund won +the victory and came home again with wealth and worship. + +His father said that he could get no greater glory in war,--“And now,” + said he, “I will find thee a wife. What sayest thou to Helga, daughter +of Earl Frodi?” + +“So be it,” said Ogmund. + +Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed with all +honour. They made known their errand, and he took it kindly, although +he feared that the fight with Asmund was likely to bring trouble. +Nevertheless this match was made, and then they went their ways home. +A feast was got ready for the wedding and to that feast a very great +company came together. + +Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise woman, and +she went with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of this marriage, and set +out to meet Ogmund. He bade him fight, and Ogmund agreed. + +Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she did with +Ogmund before he set out from home, and told him that he would not be +hurt much. + +Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking laid +bare his side, but the sword would not bite upon it. Then Ogmund whirled +about his sword swiftly and shifted it from hand to hand, and hewed +Asmund's leg from under him: and three marks of gold he took to let him +go with his life. + + + + +CHAPTER TWO. How Cormac Was Born and Bred. + +About this time King Harald Fairhair died, and Eric Bloodaxe reigned in +his stead. Ogmund would have no friendship with Eric, nor with Gunnhild, +and made ready his ship for Iceland. + +Nor Ogmund and Helga had a son called Frodi: but when the ship was +nearly ready, Helga took a sickness and died; and so did their son +Frodi. + +After that, they sailed to sea. When they were near the land, Ogmund +cast overboard his high-seat-pillars; and where the high-seat-pillars +had already been washed ashore, there they cast anchor, and landed in +Midfiord. + +At this time Skeggi of Midfiord ruled the countryside. He came riding +toward them and bade them welcome into the firth, and gave them the +pick of the land: which Ogmund took, and began to mark out ground for +a house. Now it was a belief of theirs that as the measuring went, so +would the luck go: if the measuring-wand seemed to grow less when they +tried it again and again, so would that house's luck grow less: and if +it grew greater, so would the luck be. This time the measure always grew +less, though they tried it three times over. + +So Ogmund built him a house on the sandhills, and lived there ever +after. He married Dalla, the daughter of Onund the Seer, and their sons +were Thorgils and Cormac. Cormac was dark-haired, with a curly lock upon +his forehead: he was bright of blee and somewhat like his mother, big +and strong, and his mood was rash and hasty. Thorgils was quiet and easy +to deal with. + +When the brothers were grown up, Ogmund died; and Dalla kept house with +her sons. Thorgils worked the farm, under the eye of Midfiord-Skeggi. + + + + +CHAPTER THREE. How Cormac Fell In Love. + +There was a man named Thorkel lived at Tunga (Tongue). He was a wedded +man, and had a daughter called Steingerd who was fostered in Gnupsdal +(Knipedale). + +Now it was one autumn that a whale came ashore at Vatnsnes (Watsness), +and it belonged to the brothers, Dalla's sons. Thorgils asked Cormac +would he rather go shepherding on the fell, or work at the whale. He +chose to fare on the fell with the house-carles. + +Tosti, the foreman, it was should be master of the sheep-gathering: so +he and Cormac went together until they came to Gnupsdal. It was night: +there was a great hall, and fires for men to sit at. + +That evening Steingerd came out of her bower, and a maid with her. Said +the maid, “Steingerd mine, let us look at the guests.” + +“Nay,” she said, “no need”: and yet went to the door, and stepped on the +threshold, and spied across the gate. Now there was a space between the +wicker and the threshold, and her feet showed through. Cormac saw that, +and made this song:-- + + (1) + “At the door of my soul she is standing, + So sweet in the gleam of her garment: + Her footfall awakens a fury, + A fierceness of love that I knew not, + Those feet of a wench in her wimple, + Their weird is my sorrow and troubling, + --Or naught may my knowledge avail me-- + Both now and for aye to endure.” + +Then Steingerd knew she was seen. She turned aside into a corner +where the likeness of Hagbard was carved on the wall, and peeped under +Hagbard's beard. Then the firelight shone upon her face. + +“Cormac,” said Tosti, “seest eyes out yonder by that head of Hagbard?” + +Cormac answered in song:-- + + (2) + “There breaks on me, burning upon me, + A blaze from the cheeks of a maiden, + --I laugh not to look on the vision-- + In the light of the hall by the doorway. + So sweet and so slender I deem her, + Though I spy bug a glimpse of an ankle + By the threshold:--and through me there flashes + A thrill that shall age never more.” + +And then he made another song:-- + + (3) + “The moon of her brow, it is beaming + 'Neath the bright-litten heaven of her forehead: + So she gleams in her white robe, and gazes + With a glance that is keen as the falcon's. + But the star that is shining upon me + What spell shall it work by its witchcraft? + Ah, that moon of her brow shall be mighty + With mischief to her--and to me?” + +Said Tosti, “She is fairly staring at thee!”--And he answered:-- + + (4) + “She's a ring-bedight oak of the ale-cup, + And her eyes never left me unhaunted. + The strife in my heart I could hide not, + For I hold myself bound in her bondage. + O gay in her necklet, and gainer + In the game that wins hearts on her chessboard,-- + When she looked at me long from the doorway + Where the likeness of Hagbard is carved.” + +Then the girls went into the hall, and sat down. He heard what they said +about his looks,--the maid, that he was black and ugly, and Steingerd, +that he was handsome and everyway as best could be,--“There is only +one blemish,” said she, “his hair is tufted on his forehead:”--and he +said:-- + + (5) + “One flaw in my features she noted + --With the flame of the wave she was gleaming + All white in the wane of the twilight-- + And that one was no hideous blemish. + So highborn, so haughty a lady + --I should have such a dame to befriend me: + But she trows me uncouth for a trifle, + For a tuft in the hair on my brow!” + +Said the maid, “Black are his eyes, sister, and that becomes him not.” + Cormac heard her, and said in verse:-- + + (6) + “Yes, black are the eyes that I bring ye, + O brave in your jewels, and dainty. + But a draggle-tail, dirty-foot slattern + Would dub me ill-favoured and sallow. + Nay, many a maiden has loved me, + Thou may of the glittering armlet: + For I've tricks of the tongue to beguile them + And turn them from handsomer lads.” + +At this house they spent the night. In the morning when Cormac rose up, +he went to a trough and washed himself; then he went into the ladies' +bower and saw nobody there, but heard folk talking in the inner room, +and he turned and entered. There was Steingerd, and women with her. + +Said the maid to Steingerd, “There comes thy bonny man, Steingerd.” + +“Well, and a fine-looking lad he is,” said she. + +Now she was combing her hair, and Cormac asked her, “Wilt thou give me +leave?” + +She reached out her comb for him to handle it. She had the finest hair +of any woman. Said the maid, “Ye would give a deal for a wife with hair +like Steingerd's, or such eyes!” + +He answered:-- + + (7) + “One eye of the far of the ale-horn + Looking out of a form so bewitching, + Would a bridegroom count money to buy it + He must bring for it ransom three hundred. + The curls that she combs of a morning, + White-clothed in fair linen and spotless, + They enhance the bright hoard of her value,-- + Five hundred might barely redeem them!” + +Said the maid, “It's give and take with the two of ye! But thou'lt put a +big price upon the whole of her!” He answered:-- + + (8) + “The tree of my treasure and longing, + It would take this whole Iceland to win her: + She is dearer than far-away Denmark, + And the doughty domain of the Hun-folk. + With the gold she is combing, I count her + More costly than England could ransom: + So witty, so wealthy, my lady + Is worth them,--and Ireland beside!” + +Then Tosti came in, and called Cormac out to some work or other; but he +said:-- + + (9) + “Take my swift-footed steel for thy tiding, + Ay, and stint not the lash to him, Tosti: + On the desolate downs ye may wander + And drive him along till he weary. + I care not o'er mountain and moorland + The murrey-brown weathers to follow,-- + Far liefer, I'd linger the morning + In long, cosy chatter with Steingerd.” + +Tosti said he would find it a merrier game, and went off; so Cormac sat +down to chess, and right gay he was. Steingerd said he talked better +than folk told of; and he sat there all the day; and then he made this +song:-- + + (10) + “'Tis the dart that adorneth her tresses, + The deep, dewy grass of her forehead. + So kind to my keeping she gave it, + That good comb I shall ever remember! + A stranger was I when I sought her + --Sweet stem with the dragon's hoard shining--” + With gold like the sea-dazzle gleaming-- + The girl I shall never forget.” + +Tosti came off the fell and they fared home. After that Cormac used to +go to Gnupsdal often to see Steingerd: and he asked his mother to make +him good clothes, so that Steingerd might like him the most that could +be. Dalla said there was a mighty great difference betwixt them, and it +was far from certain to end happily if Thorkel at Tunga got to know. + + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. How Cormac Liked Black-Puddings. + +Well Thorkel soon heard what was going forward, and thought it would +turn out to his own shame and his daughter's if Cormac would not pledge +himself to take her or leave her. So he sent for Steingerd, and she went +home. + +Thorkel had a man called Narfi, a noisy, foolish fellow, boastful, and +yet of little account. Said he to Thorkel, “If Cormac's coming likes +thee not, I can soon settle it.” + +“Very well,” says Thorkel. + +Now, in the autumn, Narfi's work it was to slaughter the sheep. Once, +when Cormac came to Tunga, he saw Steingerd in the kitchen. Narfi stood +by the kettle, and when they had finished the boiling, he took up a +black-pudding and thrust it under Cormac's nose, crying:-- + + (11) + “Cormac, how would ye relish one? + Kettle-worms I call them.” + +To which he answered:-- + + (12) + “Black-puddings boiled, quoth Ogmund's son, + Are a dainty,--fair befall them!” + +And in the evening when Cormac made ready to go home he saw Narfi, and +bethought him of those churlish words. “I think, Narfi,” said he, “I am +more like to knock thee down, than thou to rule my coming and going.” + And with that struck him an axe-hammer-blow, saying:-- + + (13) + “Why foul with thy clowning and folly, + The food that is dressed for thy betters? + Thou blundering archer, what ails thee + To be aiming thy insults at me?” + +And he made another song about:-- + + (14) + “He asked me, the clavering cowherd + If I cared for--what was it he called them?-- + The worms of the kettle. I warrant + He'll be wiping his eyes by the hearth-stone. + I deem that yon knave of the dunghill + Who dabbles the muck on the meadow + --Yon rook in his mud-spattered raiment-- + Got a rap for his noise--like a dog.” + + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. They Waylay Cormac: And The Witch Curses Him. + +There was a woman named Thorveig, and she knew a deal too much. She +lived at Steins-stadir (Stonestead) in Midfiord, and had two sons; the +elder was Odd, and the younger Gudmund. They were great braggarts both +of them. + +This Odd often came to see Thorkel at Tunga, and used to sit and +talk with Steingerd. Thorkel made a great show of friendship with the +brothers, and egged them on to waylay Cormac. Odd said it was no more +than he could do. + +So one day when Cormac came to Tunga, Steingerd was in the parlour and +sat on the dais. Thorveig's sons sat in the room, ready to fall upon him +when he came in; and Thorkel had put a drawn sword on one side of the +door, and on the other side Narfi had put a scythe in its shaft. When +Cormac came to the hall-door the scythe fell down and met the sword, and +broke a great notch in it. Out came Thorkel and began to upbraid Cormac +for a rascal, and got fairly wild with his talk: then flung into the +parlour and bade Steingerd out of it. Forth they went by another door, +and he locked her into an outhouse, saying that Cormac and she would +never meet again. + +Cormac went in: and he came quicker than folk thought for, and they were +taken aback. He looked about, and no Steingerd: but he saw the brothers +whetting their weapons: so he turned on his heel and went, saying:-- + + (14) + “The weapon that mows in the meadow + It met with the gay painted buckler, + When I came to encounter a goddess + Who carries the beaker of wine. + Beware! for I warn you of evil + When warriors threaten me mischief. + It shall not be for nought that I pour ye + The newly mixed mead of the gods.” + +And when he could find Steingerd nowhere, he made this song:-- + + (15) + “She has gone, with the glitter of ocean + Agleam on her wrist and her bosom, + And my heart follows hard on her footsteps, + For the hall is in darkness without her. + I have gazed, but my glances can pierce not + The gloom of the desolate dwelling; + And fierce is my longing to find her, + The fair one who only can heal me.” + +After a while he came to the outhouse where Steingerd was, and burst it +open and had talk with her. + +“This is madness,” cried she, “to come talking with me; for Thorveig's +sons are meant to have thy head.” + +But he answered:-- + + (16) + “There wait they within that would snare me; + There whet they their swords for my slaying. + My bane they shall be not, the cowards, + The brood of the churl and the carline. + Let the twain of them find me and fight me + In the field, without shelter to shield them, + And ewes of the sheep should be surer + To shorten the days of the wolf.” + +So he sat there all day. By that time Thorkel saw that the plan he had +made was come to nothing; and he bade the sons of Thorveig waylay Cormac +in a dale near his garth. “Narfi shall go with ye two,” said he; “but I +will stay at home, and bring you help if need be.” + +In the evening Cormac set out, and when he came to the dale, he saw +three men, and said in verse:-- + + (17) + “There sit they in hiding to stay me + From the sight of my queen of the jewels: + But rude will their task be to reave me + From the roof of my bounteous lady. + The fainer the hatred they harbour + For him that is free of her doorway, + The fainer my love and my longing + For the lass that is sweeter than samphire.” + +Then leaped up Thorveig's sons, and fought Cormac for a time: Narfi the +while skulked and dodged behind them. Thorkel saw from his house that +they were getting but slowly forward, and he took his weapons. In that +nick of time Steingerd came out and saw what her father meant. She laid +hold on his hands, and he got no nearer to help the brothers. In the end +Odd fell, and Gudmund was so wounded that he died afterwards. Thorkel +saw to them, and Cormac went home. + +A little after this Cormac went to Thorveig and said he would have her +no longer live there at the firth. “Thou shalt flit and go thy way at +such a time,” said he, “and I will give no blood-money for thy sons.” + +Thorveig answered, “It is like enough ye can hunt me out of the +countryside, and leave my sons unatoned. But this way I'll reward thee. +Never shalt thou have Steingerd.” + +Said Cormac, “That's not for thee to make or to mar, thou wicked old +hag!” + + + + +CHAPTER SIX. Cormac Wins His Bride and Loses Her. + +After this, Cormac went to see Steingerd the same as ever: and once when +they talked over these doings she said no ill of them: whereupon he made +this song:-- + + (18) + “There sat they in hiding to slay me + From the sight of my bride and my darling: + But weak were the feet of my foemen + When we fought on the island of weapons. + And the rush of the mightiest rivers + Shall race from the shore to the mountains + Or ever I leave thee, my lady, + And the love that I feast on to-day!” + +“Say no such big words about it,” answered she; “Many a thing may stand +in the road.” + +Upon which he said:-- + + (19) + “O sweet in the sheen of thy raiment, + The sight of thy beauty is gladdening! + What man that goes marching to battle, + What mate wouldst thou choose to be thine?” + +And she answered:-- + + (20) + “O giver of gold, O ring-breaker, + If the gods and the high fates befriend me, + I'd pledge me to Frodi's blithe brother + And bind him that he should be mine.” + +Then she told him to make friends with her father and get her in +marriage. So for her sake Cormac gave Thorkel good gifts. Afterwards +many people had their say in the matter; but in the end it came to +this,--that he asked for her, and she was pledged to him, and the +wedding was fixed: and so all was quiet for a while. + +Then they had words. There was some falling-out about settlements. It +came to such a pass that after everything was ready, Cormac began to +cool off. But the real reason was, that Thorveig had bewitched him so +that they should never have one another. + +Thorkel at Tunga had a grown-up son, called Thorkel and by-named +Tooth-gnasher. He had been abroad some time, but this summer he came +home and stayed with his father. + +Cormac never came to the wedding at the time it was fixed, and the hour +passed by. This the kinsfolk of Steingerd thought a slight, deeming that +he had broken off the match; and they had much talk about it. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. How Steingerd Was Married To Somebody Else. + +Bersi lived in the land of Saurbae, a rich man and a good fellow: he was +well to the fore, a fighter, and a champion at the holmgang. He had been +married to Finna the Fair: but she was dead: Asmund was their son, +young in years and early ripe. Helga was the sister of Bersi: she was +unmarried, but a fine woman and a pushing one, and she kept house for +Bersi after Finna died. + +At the farm called Muli (the Mull) lived Thord Arndisarson: he was +wedded to Thordis, sister of Bork the Stout. They had two sons who were +both younger than Asmund the son of Bersi. + +There was also a man with Vali. His farm was named Vali's stead, and it +stood on the way to Hrutafiord. + +Now Thorveig the spaewife went to see Holmgang Bersi and told him her +trouble. She said that Cormac forbade her staying in Midfiord: so Bersi +bought land for her west of the firth, and she lived there for a long +time afterwards. + +Once when Thorkel at Tunga and his son were talking about Cormac's +breach of faith and deemed that it should be avenged, Narfi said, “I see +a plan that will do. Let us go to the west-country with plenty of goods +and gear, and come to Bersi in Saurbae. He is wifeless. Let us entangle +him in the matter. He would be a great help to us.” + +That counsel they took. They journeyed to Saurbae, and Bersi welcomed +them. In the evening they talked of nothing but weddings. Narfi up and +said there was no match so good as Steingerd,--“And a deal of folk say, +Bersi, that she would suit thee.” + +“I have heard tell,” he answered, “that there will be a rift in the +road, though the match is a good one.” + +“If it's Cormac men fear,” cried Narfi, “there is no need; for he is +clean out of the way.” + +When Bersi heard that, he opened the matter to Thorkel Toothgnasher, and +asked for Steingerd. Thorkel made a good answer, and pledged his sister +to him. + +So they rode north, eighteen in all, for the wedding. There was a man +named Vigi lived at Holm, a big man and strong of his hands, a warlock, +and Bersi's kinsman. He went with them, and they thought he would be +a good helper. Thord Arndisarson too went north with Bersi, and many +others, all picked men. + +When they came to Thorkel's, they set about the wedding at once, so that +no news of it might get out through the countryside: but all this was +sore against Steingerd's will. + +Now Vigi the warlock knew every man's affairs who came to the steading +or left it. He sat outmost in the chamber, and slept by the hall door. + +Steingerd sent for Narfi, and when they met she said,--“I wish thee, +kinsman, to tell Cormac the business they are about: I wish thee to take +this message to him.” + +So he set out secretly; but when he was a gone a little way Vigi came +after, and bade him creep home and hatch no plots. They went back +together, and so the night passed. + +Next morning Narfi started forth again; but before he had gone so far as +on the evening, Vigi beset him, and drove him back without mercy. + +When the wedding was ended they made ready for their journey. Steingerd +took her gold and jewels, and they rode towards Hrutafiord, going rather +slowly. When they were off, Narfi set out and came to Mel. Cormac was +building a wall, and hammering it with a mallet. Narfi rode up, with his +shield and sword, and carried on strangely, rolling his eyes about like +a hunted beast. Some men were up on the wall with Cormac when he came, +and his horse shied at them. Said Cormac,--“What news, Narfi? What folk +were with you last night?” + +“Small tidings, but we had guests enough,” answered he. + +“Who were the guests?” + +“There was Holmgang Bersi, with seventeen more to sit at his wedding.” + +“Who was the bride?” + +“Bersi wed Steingerd Thorkel's daughter,” said Narfi. “When they were +gone she sent me here to tell thee the news.” + +“Thou hast never a word but ill,” said Cormac, and leapt upon him and +struck at the shield: and as it slipped aside he was smitten on the +breast and fell from his horse; and the horse ran away with the shield +(hanging to it). + +Cormac's brother Thorgils said this was too much. “It serves him right,” + cried Cormac. And when Narfi woke out of his swoon they got speech of +him. + +Thorgils asked, “What manner of men were at the wedding?” + +Narfi told him. + +“Did Steingerd know this before?” + +“Not till the very evening they came,” answered he; and then told of his +dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it easier to whistle +on Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand than to fight Bersi. +Then said Cormac:-- + + (21) + “Now see to thy safety henceforward, + And stick to thy horse and thy buckler; + Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee, + Will meet with thine ear of a surety. + Now say no more stories of feasting, + Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of, + Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan, + Thou that breakest the howes of the dead. + +Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. Her +kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble about that +business, however it might turn out; but her father and brother would be +answerable for the wedding. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride. + +Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear. + +“What now, brother?” asked Thorgils. + +He answered:-- + + (22) + “My bride, my betrothed has been stolen, + And Bersi the raider has robbed me. + I who offer the song-cup of Odin-- + Who else?--should be riding beside her. + She loved me--no lord of them better: + I have lost her--for me she is weeping: + The dear, dainty darling that kissed me, + For day upon day of delight.” + +Said Thorgils, “A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home before +you catch him. And yet I will go with thee.” + +Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his horse +forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made haste to +gather men,--they were eighteen in all,--and came up with Cormac on the +hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had foundered his horse. So they +turned to Thorveig the spaewife's farmsteading, and found that Bersi was +gone aboard her boat. + +She had said to Bersi, “I wish thee to take a little gift from me, and +good luck follow it.” + +This was a target bound with iron; and she said she reckoned Bersi would +hardly be hurt if he carried it to shield him,--“but it is little worth +beside this steading thou hast given me.” He thanked her for the gift, +and so they parted. Then she got men to scuttle all the boats on the +shore, because she knew beforehand that Cormac and his folk were coming. + +When they came and asked her for a boat, she said she would do them no +kindness without payment;--“Here is a rotten boat in the boathouse which +I would lend for half a mark.” + +Thorgils said it would be in reason if she asked two ounces of silver. +Such matters, said Cormac, should not stand in the way; but Thorgils +said he would sooner ride all round the water-head. Nevertheless Cormac +had his will, and they started in the boat; but they had scarcely put +off from shore when it filled, and they had hard work to get back to the +same spot. + +“Thou shouldst pay dearly for this, thou wicked old hag,” said Cormac, +“and never be paid at all.” + +That was no mighty trick to play them, she said; and so Thorgils paid +her the silver; about which Cormac made this song:-- + + (23) + “I'm a tree that is tricked out in war-gear, + She, the trim rosy elf of the shuttle: + And I break into singing about her + Like the bat at the well, never ceasing. + With the dew-drops of Draupnir the golden + Full dearly folk buy them their blessings; + Then lay down three ounces and leave them + For the leaky old boat that we borrowed.” + +Bersi got hastily to horse, and rode homewards; and when Cormac saw that +he must be left behind, he made this song:-- + + (24) + “I tell you, the goddess who glitters + With gold on the perch of the falcon, + The bride that I trusted, by beauty, + From the bield of my hand has been taken. + On the boat she makes glad in its gliding + She is gone from me, reft from me, ravished! + O shame, that we linger to save her, + Too sweet for the prey of the raven! + +They took their horses and rode round the head of the firth. They met +Vali and asked about Bersi; he said that Bersi had come to Muli and +gathered men to him,--“A many men.” + +“Then we are too late,” said Cormac, “if they have got men together.” + +Thorgils begged Cormac to let them turn back, saying there was little +honour to be got; but Cormac said he must see Steingerd. + +So Vali went with them and they came to Muli where Bersi was and many +men with him. They spoke together. Cormac said that Bersi had betrayed +him in carrying off Steingerd, “But now we would take the lady with us, +and make him amends for his honour.” + +To this said Thord Arndisarson, “We will offer terms to Cormac, but the +lady is in Bersi's hands.” + +“There is no hope that Steingerd will go with you,” said Bersi; “but +I offer my sister to Cormac in marriage, and I reckon he will be well +wedded if take Helga.” + +“This is a good offer,” said Thorgils; “let us think of it, brother.” + +But Cormac started back like a restive horse. + + + + +CHAPTER NINE. Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords. + +There was a woman called Thordis--and a shrew she was--who lived at +Spakonufell (Spaequean's-fell), in Skagastrand. She, having foresight of +Cormac's goings, came that very day to Muli, and answered this matter on +his behalf, saying, “Never give him yon false woman. She is a fool, and +not fit for any pretty man. Woe will his mother be at such a fate for +her lad!” + +“Aroint thee, foul witch!” cried Thord. They should see, said he, that +Helga would turn out fine. But Cormac answered, “Said it may be, for +sooth it may be: I will never think of her.” + +“Woe to us, then,” said Thorgils, “for listening to the words of yon +fiend, and slighting this offer!” + +Then spoke Cormac, “I bid thee, Bersi, to the holmgang within half a +month, at Leidholm, in Middal.” + +Bersi said he would come, but Cormac should be the worse for his choice. + +After this Cormac went about the steading to look for Steingerd. When he +found her he said she had betrayed him in marrying another man. + +“It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac,” said she, “for this +was none of my doing.” + +Then said he in verse:-- + + (25) + “Thou sayest my faith has been forfeit, + O fair in thy glittering raiment; + But I wearied my steed and outwore it, + And for what but the love that bare thee? + O fainer by far was I, lady, + To founder my horse in the hunting-- + Nay, I spared not the jade when I spurred it-- + Than to see thee the bride of my foe.” + +After this Cormac and his men went home. When he told his mother how +things had gone, “Little good,” she said, “will thy luck do us. Ye have +slighted a fine offer, and you have no chance against Bersi, for he is a +great fighter and he has good weapons.” + +Now, Bersi owned the sword they call Whitting; a sharp sword it was, +with a life-stone to it; and that sword he had carried in many a fray. + +“Whether wilt thou have weapons to meet Whitting?” she asked. Cormac +said he would have an axe both great and keen. + +Dalla said he should see Skeggi of Midfiord and ask for the loan of his +sword, Skofnung. So Cormac went to Reykir and told Skeggi how matters +stood, asking him to lend Skofnung. Skeggi said he had no mind to lend +it. Skofnung and Cormac, said he, would never agree: “It is cold and +slow, and thou art hot and hasty.” + +Cormac rode away and liked it ill. He came home to Mel and told +his mother that Skeggi would not lend the sword. Now Skeggi had the +oversight of Dalla's affairs, and they were great friends; so she said, +“He will lend the sword, though not all at once.” + +That was not what he wanted, answered Cormac,--“If he withhold it not +from thee, while he does withhold it from me.” Upon which she answered +that he was a thwart lad. + +A few days afterwards Dalla told him to go to Reykir. “He will lend thee +the sword now,” said she. So he sought Skeggi and asked for Skofnung. + +“Hard wilt thou find it to handle,” said Skeggi. “There is a pouch to +it, and that thou shalt let be. Sun must not shine on the pommel of the +hilt. Thou shalt not wear it until fighting is forward, and when ye come +to the field, sit all alone and then draw it. Hold the edge toward thee, +and blow on it. Then will a little worm creep from under the hilt. Then +slope thou the sword over, and make it easy for that worm to creep back +beneath the hilt.” + +“Here's a tale of tricks, thou warlock!” cried Cormac + +“Nevertheless,” answered Skeggi, “it will stand thee in good stead to +know them.” + +So Cormac rode home and told his mother, saying that her will was of +great avail with Skeggi. He showed the sword, and tried to draw it, but +it would not leave the sheath. + +“Thou are over wilful, my son,” said she. + +Then he set his feet against the hilts, and pulled until he tore the +pouch off, at which Skofnung creaked and groaned, but never came out of +the scabbard. + +Well, the time wore on, and the day came. He rode away with fifteen men; +Bersi also rode to the holm with as many. Cormac came there first, and +told Thorgils that he would sit apart by himself. So he sat down and +ungirt the sword. + +Now, he never heeded whether the sun shone upon the hilt, for he had +girt the sword on him outside his clothes. And when he tried to draw it +he could not, until he set his feet upon the hilts. Then the little worm +came, and was not rightly done by; and so the sword came groaning and +creaking out of the scabbard, and the good luck of it was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER TEN. The Fight On Leidarholm. + +After that Cormac went to his men. Bersi and his party had come by that +time, and many more to see the fight. + +Cormac took up Bersi's target and cut at it, and sparks flew out. + +Then a hide was taken and spread for them to stand on. Bersi spoke and +said, “Thou, Cormac, hast challenged me to the holmgang; instead of +that, I offer thee to fight in simple sword-play. Thou art a young man +and little tried; the holmgang needs craft and cunning, but sword-play, +man to man, is an easy game.” + +Cormac answered, “I should fight no better even so. I will run the risk, +and stand on equal footing with thee, every way.” + +“As thou wilt,” said Bersi. + +It was the law of the holmgang that the hide should be five ells long, +with loops at its corners. Into these should be driven certain pins with +heads to them, called tjosnur. He who made it ready should go to the +pins in such a manner that he could see sky between his legs, holding +the lobes of his ears and speaking the forewords used in the rite called +“The Sacrifice of the tjosnur.” Three squares should be marked round +the hide, each one foot broad. At the outermost corners of the squares +should be four poles, called hazels; when this is done, it is a hazelled +field. Each man should have three shields, and when they were cut up +he must get upon the hide if he had given way from it before, and guard +himself with his weapons alone thereafter. He who had been challenged +should strike the first stroke. If one was wounded so that blood fell +upon the hide, he should fight no longer. If either set one foot outside +the hazel poles “he went on his heel,” they said; but he “ran” if both +feet were outside. His own man was to hold the shield before each of the +fighters. The one who was wounded should pay three marks of silver to be +set free. + +So the hide was taken and spread under their feet. Thorgils held his +brother's shield, and Thord Arndisarson that of Bersi. Bersi struck the +first blow, and cleft Cormac's shield; Cormac struck at Bersi to the +like peril. Each of them cut up and spoilt three shields of the +other's. Then it was Cormac's turn. He struck at Bersi, who parried with +Whitting. Skofnung cut the point off Whitting in front of the ridge. The +sword-point flew upon Cormac's hand, and he was wounded in the thumb. +The joint was cleft, and blood dropped upon the hide. Thereupon folk +went between them and stayed the fight. + +Then said Cormac, “This is a mean victory that Bersi has gained; it is +only from my bad luck; and yet we must part.” + +He flung down his sword, and it met Bersi's target. A shard was broken +out of Skofnung, and fire flew out of Thorveig's gift. + +Bersi asked the money for release, Cormac said it would be paid; and so +they parted. + + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. The Songs That Were Made About The Fight. + +Steinar was the name of a man who was the son of Onund the Seer, and +brother of Dalla, Cormac's mother. He was an unpeaceful man, and lived +at Ellidi. + +Thither rode Cormac from the holme, to see his kinsman, and told him +of the fight, at which he was but ill pleased. Cormac said he meant to +leave the country,--“And I want thee to take the money to Bersi.” + +“Thou art no bold man,” said Steinar, “but the money shall be paid if +need be.” + +Cormac was there some nights; his hand swelled much, for it was not +dressed. + +After that meeting, Holmgang Bersi went to see his brother. Folk asked +how the holmgang had gone, and when he told them they said that two bold +men had struck small blows, and he had gained the victory only through +Cormac's mishap. When Bersi met Steingerd, and she asked how it went, he +made this verse:-- + + (26) + “They call him, and truly they tell it, + A tree of the helmet right noble: + But the master of manhood must bring me + Three marks for his ransom and rescue. + Though stout in the storm of the bucklers + In the stress of the Valkyrie's tempest + He will bid me no more to the battle, + For the best of the struggle was ours.” + +Steinar and Cormac rode from Ellidi and passed through Saurbae. They saw +men riding towards them, and yonder came Bersi. He greeted Cormac and +asked how the wound was getting on. Cormac said it needed little to be +healed. + +“Wilt thou let me heal thee?” said Bersi; “though from me thou didst get +it: and then it will be soon over.” + +Cormac said nay, for he meant to be his lifelong foe. Then answered +Bersi:-- + + (27) + “Thou wilt mind thee for many a season + How we met in the high voice of Hilda. + Right fain I go forth to the spear-mote + Being fitted for every encounter. + There Cormac's gay shield from his clutches + I clave with the bane of the bucklers, + For he scorned in the battle to seek me + If we set not the lists of the holmgang.” + +Thus they parted; and then Cormac went home to Mel and saw his mother. +She healed his hand; it had become ugly and healed badly. The notch in +Skofnung they whetted, but the more they whetted the bigger it was. +So he went to Reykir, and flung Skofnung at Skeggi's feet, with this +verse:-- + + (28) + “I bring thee, thus broken and edgeless, + The blade that thou gavest me, Skeggi! + I warrant thy weapon could bite not: + I won not the fight by its witchcraft. + No gain of its virtue nor glory + I got in the strife of the weapons, + When we met for to mingle the sword-storm + For the maiden my singing adorns.” + +Said Skeggi, “It went as I warned thee.” Cormac flung forth and went +home to Mel: and when he met with Dalla he made this song:-- + + (29) + “To the field went I forth, O my mother + The flame of the armlet who guardest,-- + To dare the cave-dweller, my foeman + And I deemed I should smite him in battle. + But the brand that is bruited in story + It brake in my hand as I held it; + And this that should thrust men to slaughter + Is thwarted and let of its might. + + (30) + For I borrowed to bear in the fighting + No blunt-edged weapon of Skeggi: + There is strength in the serpent that quivers + By the side of the land of the girdle. + But vain was the virtue of Skofnung + When he vanquished the sharpness of Whitting; + And a shard have I shorn, to my sorrow, + From the shearer of ringleted mail. + + (31) + Yon tusker, my foe, wrought me trouble + When targe upon targe I had carven: + For the thin wand of slaughter was shattered + And it sundered the ground of my handgrip. + Loud bellowed the bear of the sea-king + When he brake from his lair in the scabbard, + At the hest of the singer, who seeketh + The sweet hidden draught of the gods. + + (32) + Afar must I fare, O my mother, + And a fate points the pathway before me, + For that white-wreathen tree may woo not + --Two wearisome morrows her outcast. + And it slays me, at home to be sitting, + So set is my heart on its goddess, + As a lawn with fair linen made lovely + --I can linger no third morrow's morn.” + +After that, Cormac went one day to Reykir and talked with Skeggi, who +said the holmgang had been brought to scorn. Then answered Cormac:-- + + (33) + “Forget it, O Frey of the helmet, + --Lo, I frame thee a song in atonement-- + That the bringer of blood, even Skofnung, + I bare thee so strangely belated. + For by stirrers of storm was I wounded; + They smote me where perches the falcon: + But the blade that I borrowed, O Skeggi, + Was borne in the clashing of edges. + + (34) + I had deemed, O thou Grey of fighting, + Of the fierce song of Odin,--my neighbour, + I had deemed that a brand meet for bloodshed + I bare to the crossways of slaughter. + Nay,--thy glaive, it would gape not nor ravin + Against him, the rover who robbed me: + And on her, as the surge on the shingle, + My soul beats and breaks evermore.” + + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. Bersi's Bad Luck At The Thor's-Ness Thing. + +In the winter, sports were held at Saurbae. Bersi's lad, Asmund, was +there, and likewise the sons of Thord; but they were younger than he, +and nothing like so sturdy. When they wrestled Asmund took no heed +to stint his strength, and the sons of Thord often came home blue and +bleeding. Their mother Thordis was ill pleased, and asked her husband +would he give Bersi a hint to make it up on behalf of his son. Nay, +Thord answered, he was loath to do that. + +“Then I'll find my brother Bork,” said she, “and it will be just as bad +in the end.” + +Thord bade her do no such thing. “I would rather talk it over with him,” + said he; and so, at her wish, he met Bersi, and hinted that some amends +were owing. + +Said Bersi, “Thou art far too greedy of getting, nowadays. This kind of +thing will end in losing thee thy good name. Thou wilt never want while +anything is to be got here.” + +Thord went home, and there was a coolness between them while that winter +lasted. + +Spring slipped by, until it was time for the meeting at Thor's-ness. +By then, Bersi thought he saw through this claim of Thord's, and found +Thordis at the bottom of it. For all that, he made ready to go to the +Thing. By old use and wont these two neighbours should have gone riding +together; so Bersi set out and came to Muli, but when he got there Thord +was gone. + +“Well,” said he, “Thord has broken old use and wont in awaiting me no +longer.” + +“If breach there be,” answered Thordis, “it is thy doing. This is +nothing to what we owe thee, and I doubt there will be more to follow.” + +They had words. Bersi said that harm would come of her evil counsel; and +so they parted. + +When he left the house he said to his men, “Let us turn aside to the +shore and take a boat; it is a long way to ride round the waterhead.” So +they took a boat--it was one of Thord's--and went their way. + +They came to the meeting when most other folks were already there, and +went to the tent of Olaf Peacock of Hjardarholt (Herdholt), for he was +Bersi's chief. It was crowded inside, and Bersi found no seat. He used +to sit next Thord, but that place was filled. In it there sat a big and +strong-looking man, with a bear-skin coat, and a hood that shaded his +face. Bersi stood a while before him, but the seat was not given up. He +asked the man for his name, and was told he might call him Bruin, or +he might call him Hoodie--which-ever he liked; whereupon he said in +verse:-- + + (35) + “Who sits in the seat of the warriors, + With the skin of the bear wrapped around him, + So wild in his look?--Ye have welcomed + A wolf to your table, good kinsfolk! + Ah, now may I know him, I reckon! + Doth he name himself Bruin, or Hoodie?-- + We shall meet once again in the morning, + And maybe he'll prove to be--Steinar.” + +“And it's no use for thee to hide thy name, thou in the bearskin,” said +he. + +“No more it is,” he answered. “Steinar I am, and I have brought money +to pay thee for Cormac, if so be it is needed. But first I bid thee to +fight. It will have to be seen whether thou get the two marks of silver, +or whether thou lose them both.” + +Upon which quoth Bersi:-- + + (36) + “They that waken the storm of the spear-points-- + For slaughter and strife they are famous-- + To the island they bid me for battle, + Nor bitter I think it nor woeful; + For long in that craft am I learned + To loosen the Valkyrie's tempest + In the lists, and I fear not to fight them-- + Unflinching in battle am I. + +“Well I wot, though,” said he, “that ye and your gang mean to make away +with me. But I would let you know that I too have something to say about +it--something that will set down your swagger, maybe.” + +“It is not thy death we are seeking,” answered Steinar; “all we want is +to teach thee thy true place.” + +Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and took up +his abode there. + +Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea. Said Steinar to +Bersi, “Wilt try a race with me, Bersi?” + +“I have given over swimming,” said he, “and yet I'll try.” + +Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out with +all his might. In so doing he showed a charm he wore round his neck. +Steinar swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with the bag it was in, +and threw them both into the water, saying in verse:-- + + (37) + “Long I've lived, + And I've let the gods guide me; + Brown hose I never wore + To bring the luck beside me. + I've never knit + All to keep me thriving + Round my neck a bag of worts, + --And lo! I'm living!” + +Upon that they struck out to land. + +But this turn that Steinar played was Thord's trick to make Bersi lose +his luck in the fight. And Thord went along the shore at low water and +found the luck-stone, and hid it away. + +Now Steinar had a sword that was called after Skrymir the giant: it was +never fouled, and no mishap followed it. On the day fixed, Thord and +Steinar went out of the tent, and Cormac also came to the meeting to +hold the shield of Steinar. Olaf Peacock got men to help Bersi at the +fight, for Thord had been used to hold his shield, but this time failed +him. So Bersi went to the trysting-place with a shield-bearer who is not +named in the story, and with the round target that once had belonged to +Thorveig. + +Each man was allowed three shields. Bersi cut up two, and then Cormac +took the third. Bersi hacked away, but Whitting his sword stuck fast +in the iron border of Steinar's shield. Cormac whirled it up just when +Steinar was striking out. He struck the shield-edge, and the sword +glanced off, slit Bersi's buttock, sliced his thigh down to the +knee-joint, and stuck in the bone. And so Bersi fell. + +“There!” cried Steinar, “Cormac's fine is paid.” + +But Bersi leapt up, slashed at him, and clove his shield. The +sword-point was at Steinar's breast when Thord rushed forth and dragged +him away, out of reach. + +“There!” cried Thord to Bersi, “I have paid thee for the mauling of my +sons.” + +So Bersi was carried to the tent, and his wound was dressed. After a +while, Thord came in; and when Bersi saw him he said:-- + + (38) + “When the wolf of the war-god was howling + Erstwhile in the north, thou didst aid me: + When it gaped in my hand, and it girded + At the Valkyries' gate for to enter. + But now wilt thou never, O warrior, + At need in the storm-cloud of Odin + Give me help in the tempest of targes + --Untrusty, unfaithful art thou. + + (39) + “For when I was a stripling I showed me + To the stems of the lightning of battle + Right meet for the mist of the war-maids; + --Ah me! that was said long ago. + But now, and I may not deny it + My neighbours in earth must entomb me, + At the spot I have sought for grave-mound + Where Saurbae lies level and green.” + +Said Thord, “I have no wish for thy death; but I own it is no sorrow to +see thee down for once.” + +To which Bersi answered in song:-- + + (40) + “The friend that I trusted has failed me + In the fight, and my hope is departed: + I speak what I know of; and note it, + Ye nobles,--I tell ye no leasing. + Lo, the raven is ready for carnage, + But rare are the friends who should succour. + Yet still let them scorn me and threaten, + I shrink not, I am not dismayed.” + +After this, Bersi was taken home to Saurbae, and lay long in his wounds. + +But when he was carried into the tent, at that very moment Steinar spoke +thus to Cormac:-- + + (41) + “Of the reapers in harvest of Hilda + --Thou hast heard of it--four men and eight men + With the edges of Skrymir to aid me + I have urged to their flight from the battle. + Now the singer, the steward of Odin, + Hath smitten at last even Bersi + With the flame of the weapon that feedeth + The flocks of the carrion crows.” + +“I would have thee keep Skrymir now for thy own, Cormac,” said he, +“because I mean this fight to be my last.” + +After that, they parted in friendly wise: Steinar went home, and Cormac +fared to Mel. + + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Steingerd Leaves Bersi. + +Next it is told of Bersi. His wound healed but slowly. Once on a time a +many folk were met to talk about that meeting and what came of it, and +Bersi made this song:-- + + (42) + “Thou didst leave me forlorn to the sword-stroke, + Strong lord of the field of the serpent! + And needy and fallen ye find me, + Since my foeman ye shielded from danger. + Thus cunning and counsel are victors, + When the craft of the spear-shaft avails not; + But this, as I think, is the ending, + O Thord, of our friendship for ever!” + +A while later Thord came to his bedside and brought back the luck-stone; +and with it he healed Bersi, and they took to their friendship again and +held it unbroken ever after. + +Because of these happenings, Steingerd fell into loathing of Bersi and +made up her mind to part with him; and when she had got everything +ready for going away she went to him and said:--“First ye were called +Eygla's-Bersi, and then Holmgang-Bersi, but now your right name will be +Breech-Bersi!” and spoke her divorce from him. + +She went north to her kinsfolk, and meeting with her brother Thorkel she +bade him seek her goods again from Bersi--her pin-money and her dowry, +saying that she would not own him now that he was maimed. Thorkel +Toothgnasher never blamed her for that, and agreed to undertake her +errand; but the winter slipped by and his going was put off. + + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The Bane Of Thorkel Toothgnasher. + +Afterwards, in the spring, Thorkel Toothgnasher set out to find Bersi +and to seek Steingerd's goods again. Bersi said that his burden was +heavy enough to bear, even though both together underwent the weight of +it. “And I shall not pay the money!” said he. + +Said Thorkel, “I bid thee to the holmgang at Orrestholm beside Tjaldanes +(Tentness).” + +“That ye will think hardly worth while,” said Bersi, “such a champion as +you are; and yet I undertake for to come.” + +So they came to the holme and fell to the holmgang. Thord carried the +shield before Bersi, and Vali was Thorkel's shield-bearer. When two +shields had been hacked to splinters, Bersi bade Thorkel take the third; +but he would not. Bersi still had a shield, and a sword that was long +and sharp. + +Said Thorkel, “The sword ye have, Bersi, is longer than lawful.” + +“That shall not be,” cried Bersi; and took up his other sword, Whitting, +two-handed, and smote Thorkel his deathblow. Then sang he:-- + + (43) + “I have smitten Toothgnasher and slain him, + And I smile at the pride of his boasting. + One more to my thirty I muster, + And, men! say ye this of the battle:-- + In the world not a lustier liveth + Among lords of the steed of the oar-bench; + Though by eld of my strength am I stinted + To stain the black wound-bird with blood.” + +After these things Vali bade Bersi to the holmgang, but he answered in +this song:-- + + (44) + “They that waken the war of the mail-coats, + For warfare and manslaying famous, + To the lists they have bid me to battle, + Nor bitter I think it not woeful. + It is sport for yon swordsmen who goad me + To strive in the Valkyries' tempest + On the holme; but I fear not to fight them-- + Unflinching in battle am I!” + +The were even about to begin fighting, when Thord came and spoke to them +saying:--“Woeful waste of life I call it, if brave men shall be smitten +down for the sake of any such matters. I am ready to make it up between +ye two.” + +To this they agreed, and he said:--“Vali, this methinks is the most +likely way of bringing you together. Let Bersi take thy sister Thordis +to wife. It is a match that may well be to thy worship.” + +Bersi agreed to this, and it was settled that the land of Brekka should +go along with her as a dowry; and so this troth was plighted between +them. Bersi afterwards had a strong stone wall built around his +homestead, and sat there for many winters in peace. + + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. The Rescue Of Steinvor Slim-ankles. + +There was a man named Thorarin Alfsson, who lived in the north at +Thambardal; that is a dale which goes up from the fiord called Bitra. +He was a big man and mighty, and he was by-named Thorarin the Strong. He +had spent much of his time in seafaring (as a chapman) and so lucky was +he that he always made the harbour he aimed at. + +He had three sons; one was named Alf, the next Loft, and the third +Skofti. Thorarin was a most overbearing man, and his sons took after +him. They were rough, noisy fellows. + +Not far away, at Tunga (Tongue) in Bitra, lived a man called Odd. His +daughter was named Steinvor, a pretty girl and well set up; her by-name +was Slim-ankles. Living with Odd were many fisherman; among them, +staying there for the fishing-season, was one Glum, an ill-tempered +carle and bad to deal with. + +Now once upon a time these two, Odd and Glum, were in talk together +which were the greatest men in the countryside. Glum reckoned Thorarin +to be foremost, but Odd said Holmgang Bersi was better than he in every +way. + +“How can ye make that out?” asked Glum. + +“Is there any likeness whatever,” said Odd, “between the bravery of +Bersi and the knavery of Thorarin?” + +So they talked about this until they fell out, and laid a wager upon it. + +Then Glum wend and told Thorarin. He grew very angry and made many a +threat against Odd. And in a while he went and carried off Steinvor +from Tunga, all to spite her father; and he gave out that if Odd +said anything against it, the worse for him: and so took her home to +Thambardal. + +Things went on so for a while, and then Odd went to see Holmgang Bersi, +and told him what had happened. He asked him for help to get Steinvor +back and to wreak vengeance for that shame. Bersi answered that such +words had been better unsaid, and bade him go home and take no share in +the business. “But yet,” added he, “I promise that I will see to it.” + +No sooner was Odd gone than Bersi made ready to go from home. He rode +fully armed, with Whitting at his belt, and three spears; he came to +Thambardal when the day was far spent and the women were coming out +of the bower. Steinvor saw him and turning to meet him told of her +unhappiness. + +“Make ready to go with me,” said he; and that she did. + +He would not go to Thambardal for nothing, he said; and so he turned to +the door where men were sitting by long fires. He knocked at the door, +and out there came a man--his name was Thorleif. But Thorarin knew +Bersi's voice, and rushed forth with a great carving-knife and laid on +to him. Bersi was aware of it, and drew Whitting, and struck him his +death-blow. + +Then he leapt on horseback and set Steinvor on his knee and took his +spears which she had kept for him. He rode some way into the wood, where +in a hidden spot he left his horse and Steinvor, bidding her await him. +Then he went to a narrow gap through which the high-road ran, and there +made ready to stand against his foes. + +In Thambardal there was anything but peace. Thorleif ran to tell the +sons of Thorarin that he lay dead in the doorway. They asked who had +done the deed. He told them. Then they went after Bersi and steered the +shortest way to the gap, meaning to get there first; but by that time he +was already first at the gap. + +When they came near him, Bersi hurled a spear at Alf, and it went right +through him. Then Loft cast at Bersi, but he caught the spear on his +target and it dropped off. Then Bersi threw at Loft and killed him, and +so he did by Skofti. + +When all was over, the house-carles of the brothers came up. Thorleif +turned back to meet them, and they all went home together. + +After that Bersi went to find Steinvor, and mounted his horse. He came +home before men were out of bed. They asked him about his journey and +he told them. When Odd met him he asked about the fight and how it had +passed, and Bersi answered in this verse:-- + + (45) + “There was one fed the wolves has encountered + His weird in the dale of the Bowstring-- + Thorarin the Strong, 'neath the slayer + Lay slain by the might of my weapon. + And loss of their lives men abided + When Loft fell, and Alf fell, and Skofti. + They were four, yonder kinsmen, and fated-- + They were fey--and I met them, alone!” + +After that Odd went home, but Steinvor was with Bersi, though it +misliked Thordis, his wife. By this time his stone wall was some-what +broken down, but he had it built up again; and it is said that no +blood-money was ever paid for Thorarin and his sons. So the time went +on. + + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. How Vali Fell Before An Old Man And A Boy. + +Once on a day when Thordis and Bersi were talking together, said he, +“I have been thinking I might ask Olaf Peacock for a child of his to +foster.” + +“Nay,” said she, “I think little of that. It seems to me a great +trouble, and I doubt if folk will reckon more of us for it.” + +“It means that I should have a sure friend,” answered he. “I have many +foes, and I am growing heavy with age.” + +So he went to see Olaf, and asked for a child to foster. Olaf took it +with thanks, and Bersi carried Halldor home with him and got Steinvor to +be nurse. This too misliked Thordis, and she laid hands on every penny +she could get (for fear it should go to Steinvor and the foster-child). + +At last Bersi took to ageing much. There was one time when men riding to +the Thing stayed at his house. He sat all by himself, and his food was +brought him before the rest were served. He had porridge while other +folk had cheese and curds. Then he made this verse:-- + + (46) + “To batten the black-feathered wound-bird + With the blade of my axe have I stricken + Full thirty and five of my foemen; + I am famed for the slaughter of warriors. + May the fiends have my soul if I stain not + My sharp-edged falchion once over! + And then let the breaker of broadswords + Be borne--and with speed--to the grave!” + +“What?” said Halldor; “hast thou a mind to kill another man, then?” + +Answered Bersi, “I see the man it would rightly serve!” + +Now Thordis let her brother Vali feed his herds on the land of Brekka. +Bersi bade his house-carles work at home, and have no dealings with +Vali; but still Halldor thought it a hardship that Bersi had not his own +will with his own wealth. One day Bersi made this verse:-- + + (47) + “Here we lie, + Both on one settle-- + Halldor and I, + Men of no mettle. + Youth ails thee, + But thou'lt win through it; + Age ails me, + And I must rue it!” + +“I do hate Vali,” said Halldor; and Bersi answered thus in verse:-- + + (48) + “Yon Vali, so wight as he would be, + Well wot I our pasture he grazes; + Right fain yonder fierce helmet-wearer + Under foot my dead body would trample! + But often my wrongs have I wreaked + In wrath on the mail-coated warrior-- + On the stems of the sun of the ocean + I have stained the wound-serpent for less!” + +And again he said:-- + + (49) + “With eld I am listless and lamed-- + I, the lord of the gold of the armlet: + I sit, and am still under many + A slight from the warders of spear-meads. + Though shield-bearers shape for the singer + To shiver alone in the grave-mound, + Yet once in the war would I redden + The wand that hews helms ere I fail.” + +“Thy heart is not growing old, foster-father mine!” cried Halldor. + +Upon that Bersi fell into talk with Steinvor, and said to her “I am +laying a plot, and I need thee to help me.” + +She said she would if she could. + +“Pick a quarrel,” said he, “with Thordis about the milk-kettle, and do +thou hold on to it until you whelm it over between you. Then I will come +in and take her part and give thee nought but bad words. Then go to Vali +and tell him how ill we treat thee.” + +Everything turned out as he had planned. She went to Vali and told him +that things were no way smooth for her; would he take her over the gap +(to Bitra to her father's:) and so he did. + +But when he was on the way back again, out came Bersi and Halldor to +meet him. Bersi had a halberd in one hand and a staff in the other, and +Halldor had Whitting. As soon as Vali saw them he turned and hewed +at Bersi. Halldor came at his back and fleshed Whitting in his +hough-sinews. Thereupon he turned sharply and fell upon Halldor. +Then Bersi set the halberd-point betwixt his shoulders. That was his +death-wound. + +Then they set his shield at his feet and his sword at his head, and +spread his cloak over him; and after that got on horseback and rode to +five homesteads to make known the deed they had done and then rode home. +Men went and buried Vali, and the place where he fell has ever since +been called Vali's fall. + +Halldor was twelve winters old when these doings came to pass. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. How Steingerd Was Married Again. + +Now there was a man named Thorvald, the son of Eystein, bynamed +the Tinker: he was a wealthy man, a smith, and a skald; but he was +mean-spirited for all that. His brother Thorvard lived in the north +country at Fliot (Fleet); and they had many kinsmen,-- the Skidings they +were called,--but little luck or liking. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker asked Steingerd to wife. Her folk were for it, +and she said nothing against it; and so she was wed to him in the very +same summer in which she left Bersi. + +When Cormac heard the news he made as though he knew nothing whatever +about the matter; for a little earlier he had taken his goods aboard +ship, meaning to go away with his brother. But one morning early he rode +from the ship and went to see Steingerd; and when he got talk with her, +he asked would she make him a shirt. To which she answered that he had +no business to pay her visits; neither Thorvald nor his kinsmen would +abide it, she said, but have their revenge. + +Thereupon he made his voice:-- + + (50) + “Nay, think it or thole it I cannot, + That thou, a young fir of the forest + Enwreathed in the gold that thou guardest, + Shouldst be given to a tinkering tinsmith. + Nay, scarce can I smile, O thou glittering + In silk like the goddess of Baldur, + Since thy father handfasted and pledged thee, + So famed as thou art, to a coward.” + +“In such words,” answered Steingerd, “an ill will is plain to hear. I +shall tell Thorvald of this ribaldry: no man would sit still under such +insults.” + +Then sang Cormac:-- + + (51) + “What gain is to get if he threatens, + White goddess in raiment of beauty, + The scorn that the Skidings may bear me? + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme you the roystering caitiffs + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for them if they loosen + The line of their fate that I ravel!” + +Thereupon they parted with no blitheness, and Cormac went to his ship. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Cormac's Voyage To Norway. + +The two brothers had but left the roadstead, when close beside their +ship, uprose a walrus. Cormac hurled at it a pole-staff, which struck +the beast, so that it sank again: but the men aboard thought that they +knew its eyes for the eyes of Thorveig the witch. That walrus came up +no more, but of Thorveig it was heard that she lay sick to death; and +indeed folk say that this was the end of her. + +Then they sailed out to sea, and at last came to Norway, where at that +time Hakon, the foster-son of Athelstan, was king. He made them welcome, +and so they stayed there the winter long with all honour. + +Next summer they set out to the wars, and did many great deeds. Along +with them went a man called Siegfried, a German of good birth; and they +made raids both far and wide. One day as they were gone up the country +eleven men together came against the two brothers, and set upon them; +but this business ended in their overcoming the whole eleven, and so +after a while back to their ship. The vikings had given them up for +lost, and fain were their folk when they came back with victory and +wealth. + +In this voyage the brothers got great renown: and late in the summer, +when winter was coming on, they made up their minds to steer for Norway. +They met with cold winds; the sail was behung with icicles, but the +brothers were always to the fore. It was on his voyage that Cormac made +the song:-- + + (52) + “O shake me yon rime from the awning; + Your singer's a-cold in his berth; + For the hills are all hooded, dear Skardi, + In the hoary white veil of the firth. + There's one they call Wielder of Thunder + I would were as chill and as cold; + But he leaves not the side of his lady + As the lindworm forsakes not its gold.” + +“Always talking of her now!” said Thorgils; “and yet thou wouldst not +have her when thou couldst.” + +“That was more the fault of witchcraft,” answered Cormac, “that any want +of faith in me.” + +Not long after they were sailing hard among crags, and shortened sail in +great danger. + +“It is a pity Thorvald Tinker is not with us here!” said Cormac. + +Said Thorgils with a smile, “Most likely he is better off than we, +to-day!” + +But before long they came to land in Norway. + + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home To +Iceland; And How He Met Steingerd Again. + +While they were abroad there had been a change of kings; Hakon was dead, +and Harald Greyfell reigned in his stead. They offered friendship to the +king, and he took their suit kindly; so they went with him to Ireland, +and fought battles there. + +Once upon a time when they had gone ashore with the king, a great host +came against him, and as the armies met, Cormac made this song:-- + + (53) + “I dread not a death from the foemen, + Though we dash at them, buckler to buckler, + While our prince in the power of his warriors + Is proud of me foremost in battle. + But the glimpse of a glory comes o'er me + Like the gleam of the moon on the skerry, + And I faint and I fail for my longing, + For the fair one at home in the North.” + +“Ye never get into danger,” said Thorgils, “but ye think of Steingerd!” + +“Nay,” answered Cormac, “but it's not often I forget her.” + +Well: this was a great battle, and king Harald won a glorious victory. +While his men drove the rout before him, the brothers were shoulder to +shoulder; and they fell upon nine men at once and fought them. And while +they were at it, Cormac sang:-- + + (54) + “Fight on, arrow-driver, undaunted, + And down with the foemen of Harald! + What are nine? they are nought! Thou and I, lad, + Are enough;--they are ours!--we have won them! + But--at home,--in the arms of an outlaw + That all the gods loathe for a monster, + So white and so winsome she nestles + --Yet once she was loving to me!” + +“It always comes down to that!” said Thorgils. When the fight was over, +the brothers had got the victory, and the nine men had fallen before +them; for which they won great praise from the king, and many honours +beside. + +But while they were ever with the king in his warfarings, Thorgils was +aware that Cormac was used to sleep but little; and he asked why this +might be. This was the song Cormac made in answer:-- + + (55) + “Surf on a rock-bound shore of the sea-king's blue domain-- + Look how it lashes the crags, hark how it thunders again! + But all the din of the isles that the Delver heaves in foam + In the draught of the undertow glides out to the sea-gods' + home. + Now, which of us two should test? Is it thou, with thy + heart at ease, + Or I that am surf on the shore in the tumult of angry seas? + --Drawn, if I sleep, to her that shines with the ocean- + gleam, + --Dashed, when I wake, to woe, for the want of my + glittering dream.” + +“And now let me tell you this, brother,” he went on. “Hereby I give out +that I am going back to Iceland.” + +Said Thorgils, “There is many a snare set for thy feet, brother, to drag +thee down, I know not whither.” + +But when the king heard of his longing to begone, he sent for Cormac, +and said that he did unwisely, and would hinder him from his journey. +But all this availed nothing, and aboard ship he went. + +At the outset they met with foul winds, so that they shipped great seas, +and the yard broke. Then Cormac sang:-- + + (56) + “I take it not ill, like the Tinker + If a trickster had foundered his muck-sled; + For he loves not rough travelling, the losel, + And loath would he be of this uproar. + I flinch not,--nay, hear it, ye fearless + Who flee not when arrows are raining,-- + Though the steeds of the ocean be storm-bound + And stayed in the harbour of Solund.” + +So they pushed out to sea, and hard weather they tholed. Once on a time +when the waves broke over the deck and drenched them all, Cormac made +this song:-- + + (57) + “O the Tinker's a lout and a lubber, + And the life of a sailor he dares not, + When the snow-crested surges caress us + And sweep us away with their kisses, + He bides in a berth that is warmer, + Embraced in the arms of his lady; + And lightly she lulls him to slumber, + --But long she has reft me of rest!” + +They had a very rough voyage, but landed at last in Midfiord, and +anchored off shore. Looking landward they beheld where a lady was riding +by; and Cormac knew at once that it was Steingerd. He bade his men +launch a boat, and rowed ashore. He went quickly from the boat, and got +a horse, and rode to meet her. When they met, he leapt from horseback +and helped her to alight, making a seat for her beside him on the +ground. + +Their horses wandered away: the day passed on, and it began to grow +dark. At last Steingerd said, “It is time to look for our horses.” + +Little search would be needed, said Cormac; but when he looked about, +they were nowhere in sight. As it happened, they were hidden in a gill +not far from where the two were sitting. + +So, as night was hard at hand, they set out to walk, and came to a +little farm, where they were taken in and treated well, even as they +needed. That night they slept each on either side of the carven wainscot +that parted bed from bed: and Cormac made this song:-- + + (58) + “We rest, O my beauty, my brightest, + But a barrier lies ever between us. + So fierce are the fates and so mighty + --I feel it--that rule to their rede. + Ah, nearer I would be, and nigher, + Till nought should be left to dispart us, + --The wielder of Skofnung the wonder, + And the wearer of sheen from the deep.” + +“It was better thus,” said Steingerd: but he sang:-- + + (59) + “We have slept 'neath one roof-tree--slept softly, + O sweet one, O queen of the mead-horn, + O glory of sea-dazzle gleaming, + These grim hours,--these five nights, I count them. + And here in the kettle-prow cabined + While the crow's day drags on in the darkness, + How loathly me seems to be lying, + How lonely,--so near and so far!” + +“That,” said she, “is all over and done with; name it no more.” But he +sang:-- + + (60) + “The hot stone shall float,--ay, the hearth-stone + Like a husk of the corn on the water, + --Ah, woe for the wight that she loves not!-- + And the world,--ah, she loathes me!--shall perish, + And the fells that are famed for their hugeness + Shall fail and be drowned in the ocean, + Or ever so gracious a goddess + Shall grow into beauty like Steingerd.” + +Then Steingerd cried out that she would not have him make songs upon +her: but he went on:-- + + (61) + “I have known it and noted it clearly, + O neckleted fair one, in visions, + --Is it doom for my hopes,--is it daring + To dream?--O so oft have I seen it!-- + Even this,--that the boughs of thy beauty, + O braceleted fair one, shall twine them + Round the hill where the hawk loves to settle, + The hand of thy lover, at last.” + +“That,” said she, “never shall be, if I can help it. Thou didst let me +go, once for all; and there is no more hope for thee.” + +So then they slept the night long; and in the morning, when Cormac was +making ready to be gone, he found Steingerd, and took the ring off his +finger to give her. + +“Fiend take thee and thy gold together!” she cried. And this is what he +answered:-- + + (62) + “To a dame in her broideries dainty + This drift of the furnace I tendered; + O day of ill luck, for a lover + So lured, and so heartlessly cheated! + Too blithe in the pride of her beauty-- + The bliss that I crave she denies me; + So rich that no boon can I render, + --And my ring she would hurl to the fiends!” + +So Cormac rode forth, being somewhat angry with Steingerd, but still +more so with the Tinker. He rode home to Mel, and stayed there all the +winter, taking lodgings for his chapmen near the ship. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. Of A Spiteful Song That Cormac Never Made; And How Angry +Steingerd Was. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker lived in the north-country at Svinadal +(Swindale), but his brother Thorvard at Fliot. In the winter Cormac took +his way northward to see Steingerd; and coming to Svinadal he dismounted +and went into the chamber. She was sitting on the dais, and he took his +seat beside her; Thorvald sat on the bench, and Narfi by him. + +Then said Narfi to Thorvald, “How canst thou sit down, with Cormac here? +It is no time, this, for sitting still!” + +But Thorvald answered, “I am content; there is no harm done it seems to +me, though they do talk together.” + +“That is ill,” said Narfi. + +Not long afterwards Thorvald met his brother Thorvard and told him about +Cormac's coming to his house. + +“Is it right, think you,” said Thorvard, “to sit still while such things +happen?” + +He answered that there was no harm done as yet, but that Cormac's coming +pleased him not. + +“I'll mend that,” cried Thorvard, “if you dare not. The shame of it +touches us all.” + +So this was the next thing,--that Thorvard came to Svinadal, and the +Skiding brothers and Narfi paid a gangrel beggar-man to sing a song in +the hearing of Steingerd, and to say that Cormac had made it,--which was +a lie. They said that Cormac had taught this song to one called Eylaug, +a kinswoman of his; and these were the words:-- + + (63) + “I wish an old witch that I know of, + So wealthy and proud of her havings, + Were turned to a steed in the stable + --Called Steingerd--and I were the rider! + I'd bit her, and bridle, and saddle, + I'd back her and drive her and tame her; + So many she owns for her masters, + But mine she will never become!” + +Then Steingerd grew exceedingly angry, so that she would not so much as +hear Cormac named. When he heard that, he went to see her. Long time +he tried in vain to get speech with her; but at last she gave this +answer,--that she misliked his holding her up to shame,--“And now it is +all over the country-side!” + +Cormac said it was not true; but she answered, “Thou mightest flatly +deny it, if I had not heard it.” + +“Who sang it in thy hearing?” asked he. + +She told him who sang it,--“And thou needest not hope for speech with me +if this prove true.” + +He rode away to look for the rascal, and when he found him the truth +was forced out at last. Cormac was very angry, and set on Narfi and slew +him. That same onset was meant for Thorvald, but he hid himself in the +shadow and skulked, until men came between then and parted them. Said +Cormac:-- + + (64) + “There, hide in the house like a coward, + And hope not hereafter to scare me + With the scorn of thy brethren the Skidings,-- + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme on the swaggering rascals + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for you if ye loosen + The line of your fate that I ravel!” + +This went all over the country-side and the feud grew fiercer between +them. The brothers Thorvald and Thorvard used big words, and Cormac was +wroth when he heard them. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. How Thorvard Would Not Fight, But Tried To Get The +Law Of Cormac. + +After this Thorvard sent word from Fliot that he was fain to fight +Cormac, and he fixed time and place, saying that he would now take +revenge for that song of shame and all other slights. + +To this Cormac agreed; and when the day came he went to the spot that +was named, but Thorvard was not there, nor any of his men. Cormac met a +woman from the farm hard by, who greeted him, and they asked each other +for news. + +“What is your errand?” said she; “and why are you waiting here?” + +Then he answered with this song:-- + + (65) + “Too slow for the struggle I find him, + That spender of fire from the ocean, + Who flung me a challenge to fight him + From Fleet in the land of the North. + That half-witted hero should get him + A heart made of clay for his carcase, + Though the mate of the may with the necklace + Is more of a fool than his fere!” + +“Now,” said Cormac, “I bid Thorvard anew to the holmgang, if he can +be called in his right mind. Let him be every man's nithing if he come +not!” and then he made this song:-- + + (66) + “The nithing shall silence me never, + Though now for their shame they attack me, + But the wit of the Skald is my weapon, + And the wine of the gods will uphold me. + And this they shall feel in its fulness; + Here my fame has its birth and beginning; + And the stout spears of battle shall see it, + If I 'scape from their hands with my life.” + +Then the brothers set on foot a law-suit against him for libel. Cormac's +kinsmen backed him up to answer it, and he would let no terms be made, +saying that they deserved the shame put upon them, and no honour; he was +not unready to meet them, unless they played him false. Thorvard had +not come to the holmgang when he had been challenged, and therefore the +shame had fallen of itself upon him and his, and they must put up with +it. + +So time passed until the Huna-water Thing. Thorvard and Cormac both went +to the meeting, and once they came together. + +“Much enmity we owe thee,” said Thorvard, “and in many ways. Now +therefore I challenge thee to the holmgang, here at the Thing.” + +Said Cormac, “Wilt thou be fitter than before? Thou hast drawn back time +after time.” + +“Nevertheless,” said Thorvard, “I will risk it. We can abide thy spite +no longer.” + +“Well,” said Cormac, “I'll not stand in the way;” and went home to Mel. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. What The Witch Did For Them In Their Fights. + +At Spakonufell (Spae-wife's-fell) lived Thordis the spae-wife, of whom +we have told before, with her husband Thorolf. They were both at the +Thing, and many a man thought her good-will was of much avail. So +Thorvard sought her out, to ask her help against Cormac, and gave her a +fee; and she made him ready for the holmgang according to her craft. + +Now Cormac told his mother what was forward, and she asked if he thought +good would come of it. + +“Why not?” said he. + +“That will not be enough for thee,” said Dalla. “Thorvard will never +make bold to fight without witchcraft to help him. I think it wise for +thee to see Thordis the spae-wife, for there is going to be foul play in +this affair.” + +“It is little to my mind,” said he; and yet went to see Thordis, and +asked her help. + +“Too late ye have come,” said she. “No weapon will bite on him now. And +yet I would not refuse thee. Bide here to-night, and seek thy good luck. +Anyway, I can manage so that iron bite thee no more than him.” + +So Cormac stayed there for the night; and, awaking, found that some one +was groping round the coverlet at his head. “Who is there?” he asked, +but whoever it was made off, and out at the house-door, and Cormac +after. And then he saw it was Thordis, and she was going to the place +where the fight was to be, carrying a goose under her arm. + +He asked what it all meant, and she set down the goose, saying, “Why +couldn't ye keep quiet?” + +So he lay down again, but held himself awake, for he wanted to know what +she would be doing. Three times she came, and every time he tried to +find out what she was after. The third time, just as he came out, she +had killed two geese and let the blood run into a bowl, and she had +taken up the third goose to kill it. + +“What means this business, foster-mother?” said he. + +“True it will prove, Cormac, that you are a hard one to help,” said she. +“I was going to break the spell Thorveig laid on thee and Steingerd. Ye +could have loved one another been happy if I had killed the third goose +and no one seen it.” + +“I believe nought of such things,” cried he; and this song he made about +it:-- + + (67) + “I gave her an ore at the ayre, + That the arts of my foe should not prosper; + And twice she has taken the knife, + And twice she has offered the offering; + But the blood is the blood of a goose-- + What boots it if two should be slaughtered?-- + Never sacrifice geese for a Skald + Who sings for the glory of Odin!” + +So they went to the holmgang: but Thorvald gave the spae-wife a still +greater fee, and offered the sacrifice of geese; and Cormac said:-- + + (68) + “Trust never another man's mistress! + For I know, on this woman who weareth + The fire of the field of the sea-king + The fiends have been riding to revel. + The witch with her hoarse cry is working + For woe when we go to the holmgang, + And if bale be the end of the battle + The blame, be assured, will be hers.” + +“Well,” she said, “I can manage so that none shall know thee.” Then +Cormac began to upbraid her, saying she did nought but ill, and wanting +to drag her out to the door to look at her eyes in the sunshine. His +brother Thorgils made him leave that:--“What good will it do thee?” said +he. + +Now Steingerd gave out that she had a mind to see the fight; and so she +did. When Cormac saw her he made this song:-- + + (69) + “I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the wimple! + And twice for thy sake have I striven; + What stays me as now from thy favour? + This twice have I gotten thee glory, + O goddess of ocean! and surely + To my dainty delight, to my darling + I am dearer by far than her mate.” + +So then they set to. Cormac's sword bit not at all, and for a long while +they smote strokes one upon the other, but neither sword bit. At last +Cormac smote upon Thorvard's side so great a blow that his ribs gave +way and were broken; he could fight no more, and thereupon they parted. +Cormac looked and saw where a bull was standing, which he slew for a +sacrifice; and being heated, he doffed his helmet from his head, saying +this song:-- + + (70) + “I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the bracelet! + Even three times for thee have I striven, + And this thou canst never deny me. + But the reed of the fight would not redden, + Though it rang on the shield-bearer's harness; + For the spells of a spae-wife had blunted + My sword that was eager for blood.” + +He wiped the sweat from him on the corner of Steingerd's mantle; and +said:-- + + (71) + “So oft, being wounded and weary, + I must wipe my sad brow on thy mantle. + What pangs for thy sake are my portion, + O pine-tree with red gold enwreathed! + Yet beside thee he snugs on the settle + As thou seamest thy broidery,--that rhymester! + And the shame of it whelms me in sorrow, + O Steingerd!--that rascal unslain!” + +And then Cormac prayed Steingerd that she would go with him: but Nay, +she said; she would have her own way about men. So they parted, and both +were ill pleased. + +Thorvard was taken home, and she bound his wounds. Cormac was now always +meeting with Steingerd. Thorvard healed but slowly; and when he could +get on his feet he went to see Thordis, and asked her what was best to +help his healing. + +“A hill there is,” answered she, “not far away from here, where elves +have their haunt. Now get you the bull that Cormac killed, and redden +the outer side of the hill with its blood, and make a feast for the +elves with its flesh. Then thou wilt be healed.” + +So they sent word to Cormac that they would buy the bull. He answered +that he would sell it, but then he must have the ring that was +Steingerd's. So they brought the ring, took the bull, and did with it as +Thordis bade them do. On which Cormac made a song:-- + + (72) + “When the workers of wounds are returning, + And with them the sacrifice reddened, + Then a lady in raiment of linen, + Who loved me, time was,--she will ask:-- + My ring,--have ye robbed me?--where is it? + --I have wrought them no little displeasure: + For the swain that is swarthy has won it, + The son of old Ogmund, the skald.” + +It fell out as he guessed. Steingerd was very angry because they had +sold her ring. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again. + +After that, Thorvard was soon healed, and when he thought he was strong +again, he rode to Mel and challenged Cormac to the holmgang. + +“It takes thee long to tire of it,” said Cormac: “but I'll not say thee +nay.” + +So they went to the fight, and Thordis met Thorvard now as before, but +Cormac sought no help from her. She blunted Cormac's sword, so that +it would not bite, but yet he struck so great a stroke on Thorvard's +shoulder that the collarbone was broken and his hand was good for +nothing. Being so maimed he could fight no longer, and had to pay +another ring for his ransom. + +Then Thorolf of Spakonufell set upon Cormac and struck at him. He warded +off the blow and sang this song:-- + + (73) + “This reddener of shields, feebly wrathful, + His rusty old sword waved against me, + Who am singer and sacred to Odin! + Go, snuffle, most wretched of men, thou! + A thrust of thy sword is as thewless + As thou, silly stirrer of battle. + What danger to me from thy daring, + Thou doited old witch-woman's carle?” + +Then he killed a bull in sacrifice according to use and wont, saying, +“Ill we brook your overbearing and the witchcraft of Thordis:” and he +made this song:-- + + (74) + “The witch in the wave of the offering + Has wasted the flame of the buckler, + Lest its bite on his back should be deadly + At the bringing together of weapons. + My sword was not sharp for the onset + When I sought the helm-wearer in battle; + But the cur got enough to cry craven, + With a clout that will mind him of me!” + +After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased with these +doings. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. How They All Went Out To Norway. + +Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in +Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the +brothers made up their minds for the voyage. When they were ready to +start, Cormac went to see Steingerd: and before they two parted he +kissed her twice, and his kisses were not at all hasty. The Tinker would +not have it; and so friends on both sides came in, and it was settled +that Cormac should pay for this that he had done. + +“How much?” asked he. + +“The two rings that I parted with,” said Thorvard. Then Cormac made a +song:-- + + (75) + “Here is gold of the other's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,-- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses,-- + For the dream of my bliss is betrayed.” + +And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another song:-- + + (76) + “One song from my heart would I send her + Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her, + That dainty one, decked in her jewels + Who dwells in the valley of Swindale. + And each word that I utter shall enter + The ears of that lady of bounty, + Saying--Bright one, my beauty, I love thee, + Ah, better by far than my life!” + +So Cormac went abroad and his brother Thorgils went with him; and when +they came to the king's court they were made welcome. + +Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that they +also should abroad together. He answered that it was mere folly, but +nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off on their voyage: and +as they made their way across the sea, they were attacked by vikings who +fell on them to rob them and to carry away Steingerd. But it so happened +that Cormac heard of it; and he made after them and gave good help, so +that they saved everything that belonged to them, and came safely at +last to the court of the king of Norway. + +One day Cormac was walking in the street, and spied Steingerd sitting +within doors. So he went into the house and sat down beside her, and +they had a talk together which ended in his kissing her four kisses. But +Thorvald was on the watch. He drew his sword, but the women-folk rushed +in to part them, and word was sent to King Harald. He said they were +very troublesome people to keep in order.--“But let me settle this +matter between you,” said he; and they agreed. + +Then spake the king:--“One kiss shall be atoned for by this, that Cormac +helped you to get safely to land. The next kiss is Cormac's, because he +saved Steingerd. For the other two he shall pay two ounces of gold.” + +Upon which Cormac sang the same song that he had made before:-- + + (77) + “Here is gold of the otter's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,-- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses-- + And the dream of my bliss is betrayed.” + +Another day he was walking in the street and met Steingerd again. He +turned to her and prayed her to walk with him. She would not; whereupon +he laid hand on her, to lead her along. She cried out for help; and as +it happened, the king was standing not far off, and went up to them. +He thought this behaviour most unseemly, and took her away, speaking +sharply to Cormac. King Harald made himself very angry over this affair; +but Cormac was one of his courtiers, and it was not long before he got +into favour again, and then things went fair and softly for the rest of +the winter. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. How They Cruised With The King's Fleet, And +Quarrelled, And Made It Up. + +In the following spring King Harald set forth to the land of Permia with +a great host. Cormac was one of the captains in that warfaring, and in +another ship was Thorvald: the other captains of ships are not named in +our story. + +Now as they were all sailing in close order through a narrow sound, +Cormac swung his steering-oar and hit Thorvald a clout on the ear, so +that he fell from his place at the helm in a swoon; and Cormac's ship +hove to, when she lost her rudder. Steingerd had been sitting beside +Thorvald; she laid hold of the tiller, and ran Cormac down. When he saw +what she was doing, he sang:-- + + (78) + “There is one that is nearer and nigher + To the noblest of dames than her lover: + With the haft of the helm is he smitten + On the hat-block--and fairly amidships! + The false heir of Eystein--he falters-- + He falls in the poop of his galley! + Nay! steer not upon me, O Steingerd, + Though stoutly ye carry the day!” + +So Cormac's ship capsized under him; but his crew were saved without +loss of time, for there were plenty of people round about. Thorvald soon +came round again, and they all went on their way. The king offered +to settle the matter between them; and when they both agreed, he gave +judgment that Thorvald's hurt was atoned for by Cormac's upset. + +In the evening they went ashore; and the king and his men sat down to +supper. Cormac was sitting outside the door of a tent, drinking out of +the same cup with Steingerd. While they were busy at it, a young fellow +for mere sport and mockery stole the brooch out of Cormac's fur cloak, +which he had doffed and laid aside; and when he came to take his cloak +again, the brooch was gone. He sprang up and rushed after the young +fellow, with the spear that he called Vigr (the spear) and shot at him, +but missed. This was the song he made about it:-- + + (79) + “The youngster has pilfered my pin, + As I pledged the gay dame in the beaker; + And now must we brawl for a brooch + Like boys when they wrangle and tussle. + Right well have I shafted my spear, + Though I shot nothing more than the gravel: + But sure, if I missed at my man, + The moss has been prettily slaughtered!” + +After this they went on their way to the land of Permia, and after that +they went home again to Norway. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. How Cormac Saved Steingerd Once More From Pirates; +And How They Parted For Good And All. + +Thorvald the Tinker fitted out his ship for a cruise to Denmark, and +Steingerd sailed with him. A little afterwards the brothers set out on +the same voyage, and late one evening they made the Brenneyjar. + +There they saw Thorvald's ship riding, and found him aboard with part of +his crew; but they had been robbed of all their goods, and Steingerd +had been carried off by Vikings. Now the leader of those Vikings was +Thorstein, the son of that Asmund Ashenside, the old enemy of Ogmund, +the father of Cormac and Thorgils. + +So Thorvald and Cormac met, and Cormac asked how came it that his voyage +had been so unlucky. + +“Things have not turned out for the best, indeed,” said he. + +“What is the matter?” asked Cormac. “Is Steingerd missing?” + +“She is gone,” said Thorvald, “and all our goods.” + +“Why don't you go after her?” asked Cormac. + +“We are not strong enough,” said Thorvald. + +“Do you mean to say you can't?” said Cormac. + +“We have not the means to fight Thorstein,” said Thorvald. “But if thou +hast, go in and fight for thy own hand.” + +“I will,” said Cormac. + +So at nightfall the brothers went in a boat and rowed to the Viking +fleet, and boarded Thorstein's ship. Steingerd was in the cabin on the +poop; she had been allotted to one of the Vikings; but most of the crew +were ashore round the cooking-fires. Cormac got the story out of the men +who were cooking, and they told all the brothers wanted to know. They +clambered on board by the ladder; Thorgils dragged the bridegroom out to +the gunwale, and Cormac cut him down then and there. Then he dived into +the sea with Steingerd and swam ashore; but when he was nearing the land +a swarm of eels twisted round his hands and feet, so that he was dragged +under. On which he made this song:-- + + (80) + “They came at me yonder in crowds, + O kemp of the shield-serpents' wrangle! + When I fared on my way through the flood, + That flock of the wights of the water. + And ne'er to the gate of the gods + Had I got me, if there had I perished; + Yet once and again have I won, + Little woman, thy safety in peril!” + +So he swam ashore and brought Steingerd back to her husband. + +Thorvald bade Steingerd to go, at last, along with Cormac, for he had +fairly won her, and manfully. That was what he, too, desired, said +Cormac; but “Nay,” said Steingerd, “she would not change knives.” + +“Well,” said Cormac, “it was plain that this was not to be. Evil +beings,” he said, “ill luck, had parted them long ago.” And he made this +song:-- + + (81) + “Nay, count not the comfort had brought me, + Fair queen of the ring, thy embrace! + Go, mate with the man of thy choosing, + Scant mirth will he get of thy grace! + Be dearer henceforth to thy dastard, + False dame of the coif, than to me;-- + I have spoken the word; I have sung it;-- + I have said my last farewell to thee.” + +And so he bade her begone with her husband. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. The Swan-Songs of Cormac. + +After these things the brothers turned back to Norway, and Thorvald the +Tinker made his way to Iceland. But the brothers went warfaring round +about Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland, and they were reckoned to +be the most famous of men. It was they who first built the castle of +Scarborough; they made raids into Scotland, and achieved many great +feats, and led a mighty host; and in all that host none was like Cormac +in strength and courage. + +Once upon a time, after a battle, Cormac was driving the flying foe +before him while the rest of his host had gone back aboard ship. Out of +the woods there rushed against him one as monstrous big as an idol--a +Scot; and a fierce struggle began. Cormac felt for his sword, but it +had slipped out of the sheath; he was over-matched, for the giant was +possessed; but yet he reached out, caught his sword, and struck the +giant his death-blow. Then the giant cast his hands about Cormac, and +gripped his sides so hard that the ribs cracked, and he fell over, and +the dead giant on top of him, so that he could not stir. Far and wide +his folk were looking for him, but at last they found him and carried +him aboard ship. Then he made this song:-- + + (82) + “When my manhood was matched in embraces + With the might of yon horror, the strangler, + Far other I found it than folding + That fair one ye know in my arms! + On the high-seat of heroes with Odin + From the horn of the gods I were drinking + O'er soon--let me speak it to warriors-- + If Skrymir had failed of his aid.” + +Then his wounds were looked to; they found that his ribs were broken on +both sides. He said it was no use trying to heal him, and lay there in +his wounds for a time, while his men grieved that he should have been so +unwary of his life. + +He answered them in song:-- + + (83) + “Of yore never once did I ween it, + When I wielded the cleaver of targets, + That sickness was fated to foil me-- + A fighter so hardy as I. + But I shrink not, for others must share it, + Stout shafts of the spear though they deem them, + --O hard at my heart is the death-pang,-- + Thus hopeless the bravest may die.” + +And this song also:-- + + (84) + “He came not with me in the morning, + Thy mate, O thou fairest of women, + When we reddened for booty the broadsword, + So brave to the hand-grip, in Ireland: + When the sword from its scabbard was loosened + And sang round my cheeks in the battle + For the feast of the Fury, and blood-drops + Fell hot on the neb of the raven.” + +And then he began to fail. + +This was his last song:-- + + (85) + “There was dew from the wound smitten deeply + That drained from the stroke of the sword-edge; + There was red on the weapon I wielded + In the war with the glorious and gallant: + Yet not where the broadsword,--the blood wand,-- + Was borne by the lords of the falchion, + But low in the straw like a laggard, + O my lady, dishonoured I die!” + +He said that his will was to give Thorgils his brother all he had,--the +goods he owned and the host he led; for he would like best, he said, +that his brother should have the use of them. + +So then Cormac died. Thorgils became captain over the host, and was long +time in viking. + +And so ends the story. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + +***** This file should be named 265-0.txt or 265-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/265/ + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/265-0.zip b/265-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e3f5cc5 --- /dev/null +++ b/265-0.zip diff --git a/265-h.zip b/265-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c8c050 --- /dev/null +++ b/265-h.zip diff --git a/265-h/265-h.htm b/265-h/265-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5289204 --- /dev/null +++ b/265-h/265-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3592 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown Author + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-family: times new rorman; font-style: italic; font-size: 100%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald + Anonymous Icelandic Epic, 1250-1300 A.D., Although Parts + may be Based on a now Lost 12th Century Saga + +Author: Unknown + +Translator: W.G. Collingwood and J. Stefansson + +Release Date: July 3, 2008 [EBook #265] +Last Updated: March 9, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + + + + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC THE SKALD + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Unknown Author + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Originally written in Icelandic sometime between 1250 - 1300 A.D.<br /> + although parts may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER ONE. </a> Cormac's + Fore-Elders. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER TWO. </a> How + Cormac Was Born and Bred. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER + THREE. </a> How Cormac Fell In Love. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER FOUR. </a> How Cormac Liked + Black-Puddings. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER FIVE. </a> They + Waylay Cormac: And The Witch Curses Him. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER SIX. </a> Cormac Wins His Bride + and Loses Her. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER SEVEN. </a> How + Steingerd Was Married To Somebody Else. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER EIGHT. </a> How Cormac Chased + Bersi And His Bride. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER NINE. + </a> Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER TEN. </a> The Fight On + Leidarholm. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER ELEVEN. </a> The + Songs That Were Made About The Fight. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER TWELVE. </a> Bersi's Bad Luck At The Thor's-Ness + Thing. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER THIRTEEN. </a> Steingerd + Leaves Bersi. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER FOURTEEN. </a> The + Bane Of Thorkel Toothgnasher. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> + CHAPTER FIFTEEN. </a> The Rescue Of Steinvor Slim-ankles. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER SIXTEEN. </a> How + Vali Fell Before An Old Man And A Boy. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> + CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. </a> How Steingerd Was Married Again. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. </a> Cormac's + Voyage To Norway. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER NINETEEN. + </a> How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER TWENTY. </a> Of A Spiteful + Song That Cormac Never Made <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER + TWENTY-ONE. </a> How Thorvard Would Not Fight <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. </a> What The Witch + Did For Them In Their Fights. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> + CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. </a> How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. </a> How + They All Went Out To Norway. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER + TWENTY-FIVE. </a> How They Cruised With The King's Fleet + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. </a> How + Cormac Saved Steingerd Once More From Pirates <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. </a> The + Swan-Songs of Cormac. <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER ONE. Cormac's Fore-Elders. + </h2> + <p> + Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There was a + chief in the kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; one of the + Vik-folk by kindred, a great man of high birth. He was the mightiest of + champions, and had been with King Harald in many battles. + </p> + <p> + He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy even as a + child; who when he was grown of age and come to his full strength, took to + sea-roving in summer and served in the king's household in winter. So he + earned for himself a good name and great riches. + </p> + <p> + One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he fell in + with a man named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great champion and had + worsted many vikings and men of war. These two heard tell of one another + and challenges passed between them. They came together and fought. Asmund + had the greater following, but he withheld some of his men from the + battle: and so for the length of four days they fought, until many of + Asmund's people were fallen, and at last he himself fled. Ogmund won the + victory and came home again with wealth and worship. + </p> + <p> + His father said that he could get no greater glory in war,—“And + now,” said he, “I will find thee a wife. What sayest thou to Helga, + daughter of Earl Frodi?” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Ogmund. + </p> + <p> + Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed with all + honour. They made known their errand, and he took it kindly, although he + feared that the fight with Asmund was likely to bring trouble. + Nevertheless this match was made, and then they went their ways home. A + feast was got ready for the wedding and to that feast a very great company + came together. + </p> + <p> + Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise woman, and + she went with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of this marriage, and set + out to meet Ogmund. He bade him fight, and Ogmund agreed. + </p> + <p> + Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she did with + Ogmund before he set out from home, and told him that he would not be hurt + much. + </p> + <p> + Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking laid bare + his side, but the sword would not bite upon it. Then Ogmund whirled about + his sword swiftly and shifted it from hand to hand, and hewed Asmund's leg + from under him: and three marks of gold he took to let him go with his + life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWO. How Cormac Was Born and Bred. + </h2> + <p> + About this time King Harald Fairhair died, and Eric Bloodaxe reigned in + his stead. Ogmund would have no friendship with Eric, nor with Gunnhild, + and made ready his ship for Iceland. + </p> + <p> + Nor Ogmund and Helga had a son called Frodi: but when the ship was nearly + ready, Helga took a sickness and died; and so did their son Frodi. + </p> + <p> + After that, they sailed to sea. When they were near the land, Ogmund cast + overboard his high-seat-pillars; and where the high-seat-pillars had + already been washed ashore, there they cast anchor, and landed in + Midfiord. + </p> + <p> + At this time Skeggi of Midfiord ruled the countryside. He came riding + toward them and bade them welcome into the firth, and gave them the pick + of the land: which Ogmund took, and began to mark out ground for a house. + Now it was a belief of theirs that as the measuring went, so would the + luck go: if the measuring-wand seemed to grow less when they tried it + again and again, so would that house's luck grow less: and if it grew + greater, so would the luck be. This time the measure always grew less, + though they tried it three times over. + </p> + <p> + So Ogmund built him a house on the sandhills, and lived there ever after. + He married Dalla, the daughter of Onund the Seer, and their sons were + Thorgils and Cormac. Cormac was dark-haired, with a curly lock upon his + forehead: he was bright of blee and somewhat like his mother, big and + strong, and his mood was rash and hasty. Thorgils was quiet and easy to + deal with. + </p> + <p> + When the brothers were grown up, Ogmund died; and Dalla kept house with + her sons. Thorgils worked the farm, under the eye of Midfiord-Skeggi. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER THREE. How Cormac Fell In Love. + </h2> + <p> + There was a man named Thorkel lived at Tunga (Tongue). He was a wedded + man, and had a daughter called Steingerd who was fostered in Gnupsdal + (Knipedale). + </p> + <p> + Now it was one autumn that a whale came ashore at Vatnsnes (Watsness), and + it belonged to the brothers, Dalla's sons. Thorgils asked Cormac would he + rather go shepherding on the fell, or work at the whale. He chose to fare + on the fell with the house-carles. + </p> + <p> + Tosti, the foreman, it was should be master of the sheep-gathering: so he + and Cormac went together until they came to Gnupsdal. It was night: there + was a great hall, and fires for men to sit at. + </p> + <p> + That evening Steingerd came out of her bower, and a maid with her. Said + the maid, “Steingerd mine, let us look at the guests.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” she said, “no need”: and yet went to the door, and stepped on the + threshold, and spied across the gate. Now there was a space between the + wicker and the threshold, and her feet showed through. Cormac saw that, + and made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) + “At the door of my soul she is standing, + So sweet in the gleam of her garment: + Her footfall awakens a fury, + A fierceness of love that I knew not, + Those feet of a wench in her wimple, + Their weird is my sorrow and troubling, + —Or naught may my knowledge avail me— + Both now and for aye to endure.” + </pre> + <p> + Then Steingerd knew she was seen. She turned aside into a corner where the + likeness of Hagbard was carved on the wall, and peeped under Hagbard's + beard. Then the firelight shone upon her face. + </p> + <p> + “Cormac,” said Tosti, “seest eyes out yonder by that head of Hagbard?” + </p> + <p> + Cormac answered in song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) + “There breaks on me, burning upon me, + A blaze from the cheeks of a maiden, + —I laugh not to look on the vision— + In the light of the hall by the doorway. + So sweet and so slender I deem her, + Though I spy bug a glimpse of an ankle + By the threshold:—and through me there flashes + A thrill that shall age never more.” + </pre> + <p> + And then he made another song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) + “The moon of her brow, it is beaming + 'Neath the bright-litten heaven of her forehead: + So she gleams in her white robe, and gazes + With a glance that is keen as the falcon's. + But the star that is shining upon me + What spell shall it work by its witchcraft? + Ah, that moon of her brow shall be mighty + With mischief to her—and to me?” + </pre> + <p> + Said Tosti, “She is fairly staring at thee!”—And he answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) + “She's a ring-bedight oak of the ale-cup, + And her eyes never left me unhaunted. + The strife in my heart I could hide not, + For I hold myself bound in her bondage. + O gay in her necklet, and gainer + In the game that wins hearts on her chessboard,— + When she looked at me long from the doorway + Where the likeness of Hagbard is carved.” + </pre> + <p> + Then the girls went into the hall, and sat down. He heard what they said + about his looks,—the maid, that he was black and ugly, and + Steingerd, that he was handsome and everyway as best could be,—“There + is only one blemish,” said she, “his hair is tufted on his forehead:”—and + he said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) + “One flaw in my features she noted + —With the flame of the wave she was gleaming + All white in the wane of the twilight— + And that one was no hideous blemish. + So highborn, so haughty a lady + —I should have such a dame to befriend me: + But she trows me uncouth for a trifle, + For a tuft in the hair on my brow!” + </pre> + <p> + Said the maid, “Black are his eyes, sister, and that becomes him not.” + Cormac heard her, and said in verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (6) + “Yes, black are the eyes that I bring ye, + O brave in your jewels, and dainty. + But a draggle-tail, dirty-foot slattern + Would dub me ill-favoured and sallow. + Nay, many a maiden has loved me, + Thou may of the glittering armlet: + For I've tricks of the tongue to beguile them + And turn them from handsomer lads.” + </pre> + <p> + At this house they spent the night. In the morning when Cormac rose up, he + went to a trough and washed himself; then he went into the ladies' bower + and saw nobody there, but heard folk talking in the inner room, and he + turned and entered. There was Steingerd, and women with her. + </p> + <p> + Said the maid to Steingerd, “There comes thy bonny man, Steingerd.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and a fine-looking lad he is,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Now she was combing her hair, and Cormac asked her, “Wilt thou give me + leave?” + </p> + <p> + She reached out her comb for him to handle it. She had the finest hair of + any woman. Said the maid, “Ye would give a deal for a wife with hair like + Steingerd's, or such eyes!” + </p> + <p> + He answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) + “One eye of the far of the ale-horn + Looking out of a form so bewitching, + Would a bridegroom count money to buy it + He must bring for it ransom three hundred. + The curls that she combs of a morning, + White-clothed in fair linen and spotless, + They enhance the bright hoard of her value,— + Five hundred might barely redeem them!” + </pre> + <p> + Said the maid, “It's give and take with the two of ye! But thou'lt put a + big price upon the whole of her!” He answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) + “The tree of my treasure and longing, + It would take this whole Iceland to win her: + She is dearer than far-away Denmark, + And the doughty domain of the Hun-folk. + With the gold she is combing, I count her + More costly than England could ransom: + So witty, so wealthy, my lady + Is worth them,—and Ireland beside!” + </pre> + <p> + Then Tosti came in, and called Cormac out to some work or other; but he + said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) + “Take my swift-footed steel for thy tiding, + Ay, and stint not the lash to him, Tosti: + On the desolate downs ye may wander + And drive him along till he weary. + I care not o'er mountain and moorland + The murrey-brown weathers to follow,— + Far liefer, I'd linger the morning + In long, cosy chatter with Steingerd.” + </pre> + <p> + Tosti said he would find it a merrier game, and went off; so Cormac sat + down to chess, and right gay he was. Steingerd said he talked better than + folk told of; and he sat there all the day; and then he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) + “'Tis the dart that adorneth her tresses, + The deep, dewy grass of her forehead. + So kind to my keeping she gave it, + That good comb I shall ever remember! + A stranger was I when I sought her + —Sweet stem with the dragon's hoard shining—” + With gold like the sea-dazzle gleaming— + The girl I shall never forget.” + </pre> + <p> + Tosti came off the fell and they fared home. After that Cormac used to go + to Gnupsdal often to see Steingerd: and he asked his mother to make him + good clothes, so that Steingerd might like him the most that could be. + Dalla said there was a mighty great difference betwixt them, and it was + far from certain to end happily if Thorkel at Tunga got to know. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FOUR. How Cormac Liked Black-Puddings. + </h2> + <p> + Well Thorkel soon heard what was going forward, and thought it would turn + out to his own shame and his daughter's if Cormac would not pledge himself + to take her or leave her. So he sent for Steingerd, and she went home. + </p> + <p> + Thorkel had a man called Narfi, a noisy, foolish fellow, boastful, and yet + of little account. Said he to Thorkel, “If Cormac's coming likes thee not, + I can soon settle it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” says Thorkel. + </p> + <p> + Now, in the autumn, Narfi's work it was to slaughter the sheep. Once, when + Cormac came to Tunga, he saw Steingerd in the kitchen. Narfi stood by the + kettle, and when they had finished the boiling, he took up a black-pudding + and thrust it under Cormac's nose, crying:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) + “Cormac, how would ye relish one? + Kettle-worms I call them.” + </pre> + <p> + To which he answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) + “Black-puddings boiled, quoth Ogmund's son, + Are a dainty,—fair befall them!” + </pre> + <p> + And in the evening when Cormac made ready to go home he saw Narfi, and + bethought him of those churlish words. “I think, Narfi,” said he, “I am + more like to knock thee down, than thou to rule my coming and going.” And + with that struck him an axe-hammer-blow, saying:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) + “Why foul with thy clowning and folly, + The food that is dressed for thy betters? + Thou blundering archer, what ails thee + To be aiming thy insults at me?” + </pre> + <p> + And he made another song about:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) + “He asked me, the clavering cowherd + If I cared for—what was it he called them?— + The worms of the kettle. I warrant + He'll be wiping his eyes by the hearth-stone. + I deem that yon knave of the dunghill + Who dabbles the muck on the meadow + —Yon rook in his mud-spattered raiment— + Got a rap for his noise—like a dog.” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FIVE. They Waylay Cormac: And The Witch Curses Him. + </h2> + <p> + There was a woman named Thorveig, and she knew a deal too much. She lived + at Steins-stadir (Stonestead) in Midfiord, and had two sons; the elder was + Odd, and the younger Gudmund. They were great braggarts both of them. + </p> + <p> + This Odd often came to see Thorkel at Tunga, and used to sit and talk with + Steingerd. Thorkel made a great show of friendship with the brothers, and + egged them on to waylay Cormac. Odd said it was no more than he could do. + </p> + <p> + So one day when Cormac came to Tunga, Steingerd was in the parlour and sat + on the dais. Thorveig's sons sat in the room, ready to fall upon him when + he came in; and Thorkel had put a drawn sword on one side of the door, and + on the other side Narfi had put a scythe in its shaft. When Cormac came to + the hall-door the scythe fell down and met the sword, and broke a great + notch in it. Out came Thorkel and began to upbraid Cormac for a rascal, + and got fairly wild with his talk: then flung into the parlour and bade + Steingerd out of it. Forth they went by another door, and he locked her + into an outhouse, saying that Cormac and she would never meet again. + </p> + <p> + Cormac went in: and he came quicker than folk thought for, and they were + taken aback. He looked about, and no Steingerd: but he saw the brothers + whetting their weapons: so he turned on his heel and went, saying:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) + “The weapon that mows in the meadow + It met with the gay painted buckler, + When I came to encounter a goddess + Who carries the beaker of wine. + Beware! for I warn you of evil + When warriors threaten me mischief. + It shall not be for nought that I pour ye + The newly mixed mead of the gods.” + </pre> + <p> + And when he could find Steingerd nowhere, he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) + “She has gone, with the glitter of ocean + Agleam on her wrist and her bosom, + And my heart follows hard on her footsteps, + For the hall is in darkness without her. + I have gazed, but my glances can pierce not + The gloom of the desolate dwelling; + And fierce is my longing to find her, + The fair one who only can heal me.” + </pre> + <p> + After a while he came to the outhouse where Steingerd was, and burst it + open and had talk with her. + </p> + <p> + “This is madness,” cried she, “to come talking with me; for Thorveig's + sons are meant to have thy head.” + </p> + <p> + But he answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) + “There wait they within that would snare me; + There whet they their swords for my slaying. + My bane they shall be not, the cowards, + The brood of the churl and the carline. + Let the twain of them find me and fight me + In the field, without shelter to shield them, + And ewes of the sheep should be surer + To shorten the days of the wolf.” + </pre> + <p> + So he sat there all day. By that time Thorkel saw that the plan he had + made was come to nothing; and he bade the sons of Thorveig waylay Cormac + in a dale near his garth. “Narfi shall go with ye two,” said he; “but I + will stay at home, and bring you help if need be.” + </p> + <p> + In the evening Cormac set out, and when he came to the dale, he saw three + men, and said in verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (17) + “There sit they in hiding to stay me + From the sight of my queen of the jewels: + But rude will their task be to reave me + From the roof of my bounteous lady. + The fainer the hatred they harbour + For him that is free of her doorway, + The fainer my love and my longing + For the lass that is sweeter than samphire.” + </pre> + <p> + Then leaped up Thorveig's sons, and fought Cormac for a time: Narfi the + while skulked and dodged behind them. Thorkel saw from his house that they + were getting but slowly forward, and he took his weapons. In that nick of + time Steingerd came out and saw what her father meant. She laid hold on + his hands, and he got no nearer to help the brothers. In the end Odd fell, + and Gudmund was so wounded that he died afterwards. Thorkel saw to them, + and Cormac went home. + </p> + <p> + A little after this Cormac went to Thorveig and said he would have her no + longer live there at the firth. “Thou shalt flit and go thy way at such a + time,” said he, “and I will give no blood-money for thy sons.” + </p> + <p> + Thorveig answered, “It is like enough ye can hunt me out of the + countryside, and leave my sons unatoned. But this way I'll reward thee. + Never shalt thou have Steingerd.” + </p> + <p> + Said Cormac, “That's not for thee to make or to mar, thou wicked old hag!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SIX. Cormac Wins His Bride and Loses Her. + </h2> + <p> + After this, Cormac went to see Steingerd the same as ever: and once when + they talked over these doings she said no ill of them: whereupon he made + this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (18) + “There sat they in hiding to slay me + From the sight of my bride and my darling: + But weak were the feet of my foemen + When we fought on the island of weapons. + And the rush of the mightiest rivers + Shall race from the shore to the mountains + Or ever I leave thee, my lady, + And the love that I feast on to-day!” + </pre> + <p> + “Say no such big words about it,” answered she; “Many a thing may stand in + the road.” + </p> + <p> + Upon which he said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) + “O sweet in the sheen of thy raiment, + The sight of thy beauty is gladdening! + What man that goes marching to battle, + What mate wouldst thou choose to be thine?” + </pre> + <p> + And she answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) + “O giver of gold, O ring-breaker, + If the gods and the high fates befriend me, + I'd pledge me to Frodi's blithe brother + And bind him that he should be mine.” + </pre> + <p> + Then she told him to make friends with her father and get her in marriage. + So for her sake Cormac gave Thorkel good gifts. Afterwards many people had + their say in the matter; but in the end it came to this,—that he + asked for her, and she was pledged to him, and the wedding was fixed: and + so all was quiet for a while. + </p> + <p> + Then they had words. There was some falling-out about settlements. It came + to such a pass that after everything was ready, Cormac began to cool off. + But the real reason was, that Thorveig had bewitched him so that they + should never have one another. + </p> + <p> + Thorkel at Tunga had a grown-up son, called Thorkel and by-named + Tooth-gnasher. He had been abroad some time, but this summer he came home + and stayed with his father. + </p> + <p> + Cormac never came to the wedding at the time it was fixed, and the hour + passed by. This the kinsfolk of Steingerd thought a slight, deeming that + he had broken off the match; and they had much talk about it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SEVEN. How Steingerd Was Married To Somebody Else. + </h2> + <p> + Bersi lived in the land of Saurbae, a rich man and a good fellow: he was + well to the fore, a fighter, and a champion at the holmgang. He had been + married to Finna the Fair: but she was dead: Asmund was their son, young + in years and early ripe. Helga was the sister of Bersi: she was unmarried, + but a fine woman and a pushing one, and she kept house for Bersi after + Finna died. + </p> + <p> + At the farm called Muli (the Mull) lived Thord Arndisarson: he was wedded + to Thordis, sister of Bork the Stout. They had two sons who were both + younger than Asmund the son of Bersi. + </p> + <p> + There was also a man with Vali. His farm was named Vali's stead, and it + stood on the way to Hrutafiord. + </p> + <p> + Now Thorveig the spaewife went to see Holmgang Bersi and told him her + trouble. She said that Cormac forbade her staying in Midfiord: so Bersi + bought land for her west of the firth, and she lived there for a long time + afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Once when Thorkel at Tunga and his son were talking about Cormac's breach + of faith and deemed that it should be avenged, Narfi said, “I see a plan + that will do. Let us go to the west-country with plenty of goods and gear, + and come to Bersi in Saurbae. He is wifeless. Let us entangle him in the + matter. He would be a great help to us.” + </p> + <p> + That counsel they took. They journeyed to Saurbae, and Bersi welcomed + them. In the evening they talked of nothing but weddings. Narfi up and + said there was no match so good as Steingerd,—“And a deal of folk + say, Bersi, that she would suit thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard tell,” he answered, “that there will be a rift in the road, + though the match is a good one.” + </p> + <p> + “If it's Cormac men fear,” cried Narfi, “there is no need; for he is clean + out of the way.” + </p> + <p> + When Bersi heard that, he opened the matter to Thorkel Toothgnasher, and + asked for Steingerd. Thorkel made a good answer, and pledged his sister to + him. + </p> + <p> + So they rode north, eighteen in all, for the wedding. There was a man + named Vigi lived at Holm, a big man and strong of his hands, a warlock, + and Bersi's kinsman. He went with them, and they thought he would be a + good helper. Thord Arndisarson too went north with Bersi, and many others, + all picked men. + </p> + <p> + When they came to Thorkel's, they set about the wedding at once, so that + no news of it might get out through the countryside: but all this was sore + against Steingerd's will. + </p> + <p> + Now Vigi the warlock knew every man's affairs who came to the steading or + left it. He sat outmost in the chamber, and slept by the hall door. + </p> + <p> + Steingerd sent for Narfi, and when they met she said,—“I wish thee, + kinsman, to tell Cormac the business they are about: I wish thee to take + this message to him.” + </p> + <p> + So he set out secretly; but when he was a gone a little way Vigi came + after, and bade him creep home and hatch no plots. They went back + together, and so the night passed. + </p> + <p> + Next morning Narfi started forth again; but before he had gone so far as + on the evening, Vigi beset him, and drove him back without mercy. + </p> + <p> + When the wedding was ended they made ready for their journey. Steingerd + took her gold and jewels, and they rode towards Hrutafiord, going rather + slowly. When they were off, Narfi set out and came to Mel. Cormac was + building a wall, and hammering it with a mallet. Narfi rode up, with his + shield and sword, and carried on strangely, rolling his eyes about like a + hunted beast. Some men were up on the wall with Cormac when he came, and + his horse shied at them. Said Cormac,—“What news, Narfi? What folk + were with you last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Small tidings, but we had guests enough,” answered he. + </p> + <p> + “Who were the guests?” + </p> + <p> + “There was Holmgang Bersi, with seventeen more to sit at his wedding.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was the bride?” + </p> + <p> + “Bersi wed Steingerd Thorkel's daughter,” said Narfi. “When they were gone + she sent me here to tell thee the news.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast never a word but ill,” said Cormac, and leapt upon him and + struck at the shield: and as it slipped aside he was smitten on the breast + and fell from his horse; and the horse ran away with the shield (hanging + to it). + </p> + <p> + Cormac's brother Thorgils said this was too much. “It serves him right,” + cried Cormac. And when Narfi woke out of his swoon they got speech of him. + </p> + <p> + Thorgils asked, “What manner of men were at the wedding?” + </p> + <p> + Narfi told him. + </p> + <p> + “Did Steingerd know this before?” + </p> + <p> + “Not till the very evening they came,” answered he; and then told of his + dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it easier to whistle on + Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand than to fight Bersi. Then + said Cormac:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) + “Now see to thy safety henceforward, + And stick to thy horse and thy buckler; + Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee, + Will meet with thine ear of a surety. + Now say no more stories of feasting, + Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of, + Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan, + Thou that breakest the howes of the dead. +</pre> + <p> + Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. Her + kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble about that + business, however it might turn out; but her father and brother would be + answerable for the wedding. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER EIGHT. How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride. + </h2> + <h3> + Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear. + </h3> + <p> + “What now, brother?” asked Thorgils. + </p> + <p> + He answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) + “My bride, my betrothed has been stolen, + And Bersi the raider has robbed me. + I who offer the song-cup of Odin— + Who else?—should be riding beside her. + She loved me—no lord of them better: + I have lost her—for me she is weeping: + The dear, dainty darling that kissed me, + For day upon day of delight.” + </pre> + <p> + Said Thorgils, “A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home before you + catch him. And yet I will go with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his horse + forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made haste to gather + men,—they were eighteen in all,—and came up with Cormac on the + hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had foundered his horse. So they + turned to Thorveig the spaewife's farmsteading, and found that Bersi was + gone aboard her boat. + </p> + <p> + She had said to Bersi, “I wish thee to take a little gift from me, and + good luck follow it.” + </p> + <p> + This was a target bound with iron; and she said she reckoned Bersi would + hardly be hurt if he carried it to shield him,—“but it is little + worth beside this steading thou hast given me.” He thanked her for the + gift, and so they parted. Then she got men to scuttle all the boats on the + shore, because she knew beforehand that Cormac and his folk were coming. + </p> + <p> + When they came and asked her for a boat, she said she would do them no + kindness without payment;—“Here is a rotten boat in the boathouse + which I would lend for half a mark.” + </p> + <p> + Thorgils said it would be in reason if she asked two ounces of silver. + Such matters, said Cormac, should not stand in the way; but Thorgils said + he would sooner ride all round the water-head. Nevertheless Cormac had his + will, and they started in the boat; but they had scarcely put off from + shore when it filled, and they had hard work to get back to the same spot. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shouldst pay dearly for this, thou wicked old hag,” said Cormac, + “and never be paid at all.” + </p> + <p> + That was no mighty trick to play them, she said; and so Thorgils paid her + the silver; about which Cormac made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) + “I'm a tree that is tricked out in war-gear, + She, the trim rosy elf of the shuttle: + And I break into singing about her + Like the bat at the well, never ceasing. + With the dew-drops of Draupnir the golden + Full dearly folk buy them their blessings; + Then lay down three ounces and leave them + For the leaky old boat that we borrowed.” + </pre> + <p> + Bersi got hastily to horse, and rode homewards; and when Cormac saw that + he must be left behind, he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (24) + “I tell you, the goddess who glitters + With gold on the perch of the falcon, + The bride that I trusted, by beauty, + From the bield of my hand has been taken. + On the boat she makes glad in its gliding + She is gone from me, reft from me, ravished! + O shame, that we linger to save her, + Too sweet for the prey of the raven! +</pre> + <p> + They took their horses and rode round the head of the firth. They met Vali + and asked about Bersi; he said that Bersi had come to Muli and gathered + men to him,—“A many men.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we are too late,” said Cormac, “if they have got men together.” + </p> + <p> + Thorgils begged Cormac to let them turn back, saying there was little + honour to be got; but Cormac said he must see Steingerd. + </p> + <p> + So Vali went with them and they came to Muli where Bersi was and many men + with him. They spoke together. Cormac said that Bersi had betrayed him in + carrying off Steingerd, “But now we would take the lady with us, and make + him amends for his honour.” + </p> + <p> + To this said Thord Arndisarson, “We will offer terms to Cormac, but the + lady is in Bersi's hands.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no hope that Steingerd will go with you,” said Bersi; “but I + offer my sister to Cormac in marriage, and I reckon he will be well wedded + if take Helga.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a good offer,” said Thorgils; “let us think of it, brother.” + </p> + <p> + But Cormac started back like a restive horse. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER NINE. Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords. + </h2> + <p> + There was a woman called Thordis—and a shrew she was—who lived + at Spakonufell (Spaequean's-fell), in Skagastrand. She, having foresight + of Cormac's goings, came that very day to Muli, and answered this matter + on his behalf, saying, “Never give him yon false woman. She is a fool, and + not fit for any pretty man. Woe will his mother be at such a fate for her + lad!” + </p> + <p> + “Aroint thee, foul witch!” cried Thord. They should see, said he, that + Helga would turn out fine. But Cormac answered, “Said it may be, for sooth + it may be: I will never think of her.” + </p> + <p> + “Woe to us, then,” said Thorgils, “for listening to the words of yon + fiend, and slighting this offer!” + </p> + <p> + Then spoke Cormac, “I bid thee, Bersi, to the holmgang within half a + month, at Leidholm, in Middal.” + </p> + <p> + Bersi said he would come, but Cormac should be the worse for his choice. + </p> + <p> + After this Cormac went about the steading to look for Steingerd. When he + found her he said she had betrayed him in marrying another man. + </p> + <p> + “It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac,” said she, “for this was + none of my doing.” + </p> + <p> + Then said he in verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) + “Thou sayest my faith has been forfeit, + O fair in thy glittering raiment; + But I wearied my steed and outwore it, + And for what but the love that bare thee? + O fainer by far was I, lady, + To founder my horse in the hunting— + Nay, I spared not the jade when I spurred it— + Than to see thee the bride of my foe.” + </pre> + <p> + After this Cormac and his men went home. When he told his mother how + things had gone, “Little good,” she said, “will thy luck do us. Ye have + slighted a fine offer, and you have no chance against Bersi, for he is a + great fighter and he has good weapons.” + </p> + <p> + Now, Bersi owned the sword they call Whitting; a sharp sword it was, with + a life-stone to it; and that sword he had carried in many a fray. + </p> + <p> + “Whether wilt thou have weapons to meet Whitting?” she asked. Cormac said + he would have an axe both great and keen. + </p> + <p> + Dalla said he should see Skeggi of Midfiord and ask for the loan of his + sword, Skofnung. So Cormac went to Reykir and told Skeggi how matters + stood, asking him to lend Skofnung. Skeggi said he had no mind to lend it. + Skofnung and Cormac, said he, would never agree: “It is cold and slow, and + thou art hot and hasty.” + </p> + <p> + Cormac rode away and liked it ill. He came home to Mel and told his mother + that Skeggi would not lend the sword. Now Skeggi had the oversight of + Dalla's affairs, and they were great friends; so she said, “He will lend + the sword, though not all at once.” + </p> + <p> + That was not what he wanted, answered Cormac,—“If he withhold it not + from thee, while he does withhold it from me.” Upon which she answered + that he was a thwart lad. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards Dalla told him to go to Reykir. “He will lend thee + the sword now,” said she. So he sought Skeggi and asked for Skofnung. + </p> + <p> + “Hard wilt thou find it to handle,” said Skeggi. “There is a pouch to it, + and that thou shalt let be. Sun must not shine on the pommel of the hilt. + Thou shalt not wear it until fighting is forward, and when ye come to the + field, sit all alone and then draw it. Hold the edge toward thee, and blow + on it. Then will a little worm creep from under the hilt. Then slope thou + the sword over, and make it easy for that worm to creep back beneath the + hilt.” + </p> + <p> + “Here's a tale of tricks, thou warlock!” cried Cormac + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” answered Skeggi, “it will stand thee in good stead to know + them.” + </p> + <p> + So Cormac rode home and told his mother, saying that her will was of great + avail with Skeggi. He showed the sword, and tried to draw it, but it would + not leave the sheath. + </p> + <p> + “Thou are over wilful, my son,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Then he set his feet against the hilts, and pulled until he tore the pouch + off, at which Skofnung creaked and groaned, but never came out of the + scabbard. + </p> + <p> + Well, the time wore on, and the day came. He rode away with fifteen men; + Bersi also rode to the holm with as many. Cormac came there first, and + told Thorgils that he would sit apart by himself. So he sat down and + ungirt the sword. + </p> + <p> + Now, he never heeded whether the sun shone upon the hilt, for he had girt + the sword on him outside his clothes. And when he tried to draw it he + could not, until he set his feet upon the hilts. Then the little worm + came, and was not rightly done by; and so the sword came groaning and + creaking out of the scabbard, and the good luck of it was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TEN. The Fight On Leidarholm. + </h2> + <p> + After that Cormac went to his men. Bersi and his party had come by that + time, and many more to see the fight. + </p> + <p> + Cormac took up Bersi's target and cut at it, and sparks flew out. + </p> + <p> + Then a hide was taken and spread for them to stand on. Bersi spoke and + said, “Thou, Cormac, hast challenged me to the holmgang; instead of that, + I offer thee to fight in simple sword-play. Thou art a young man and + little tried; the holmgang needs craft and cunning, but sword-play, man to + man, is an easy game.” + </p> + <p> + Cormac answered, “I should fight no better even so. I will run the risk, + and stand on equal footing with thee, every way.” + </p> + <p> + “As thou wilt,” said Bersi. + </p> + <p> + It was the law of the holmgang that the hide should be five ells long, + with loops at its corners. Into these should be driven certain pins with + heads to them, called tjosnur. He who made it ready should go to the pins + in such a manner that he could see sky between his legs, holding the lobes + of his ears and speaking the forewords used in the rite called “The + Sacrifice of the tjosnur.” Three squares should be marked round the hide, + each one foot broad. At the outermost corners of the squares should be + four poles, called hazels; when this is done, it is a hazelled field. Each + man should have three shields, and when they were cut up he must get upon + the hide if he had given way from it before, and guard himself with his + weapons alone thereafter. He who had been challenged should strike the + first stroke. If one was wounded so that blood fell upon the hide, he + should fight no longer. If either set one foot outside the hazel poles “he + went on his heel,” they said; but he “ran” if both feet were outside. His + own man was to hold the shield before each of the fighters. The one who + was wounded should pay three marks of silver to be set free. + </p> + <p> + So the hide was taken and spread under their feet. Thorgils held his + brother's shield, and Thord Arndisarson that of Bersi. Bersi struck the + first blow, and cleft Cormac's shield; Cormac struck at Bersi to the like + peril. Each of them cut up and spoilt three shields of the other's. Then + it was Cormac's turn. He struck at Bersi, who parried with Whitting. + Skofnung cut the point off Whitting in front of the ridge. The sword-point + flew upon Cormac's hand, and he was wounded in the thumb. The joint was + cleft, and blood dropped upon the hide. Thereupon folk went between them + and stayed the fight. + </p> + <p> + Then said Cormac, “This is a mean victory that Bersi has gained; it is + only from my bad luck; and yet we must part.” + </p> + <p> + He flung down his sword, and it met Bersi's target. A shard was broken out + of Skofnung, and fire flew out of Thorveig's gift. + </p> + <p> + Bersi asked the money for release, Cormac said it would be paid; and so + they parted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER ELEVEN. The Songs That Were Made About The Fight. + </h2> + <p> + Steinar was the name of a man who was the son of Onund the Seer, and + brother of Dalla, Cormac's mother. He was an unpeaceful man, and lived at + Ellidi. + </p> + <p> + Thither rode Cormac from the holme, to see his kinsman, and told him of + the fight, at which he was but ill pleased. Cormac said he meant to leave + the country,—“And I want thee to take the money to Bersi.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art no bold man,” said Steinar, “but the money shall be paid if need + be.” + </p> + <p> + Cormac was there some nights; his hand swelled much, for it was not + dressed. + </p> + <p> + After that meeting, Holmgang Bersi went to see his brother. Folk asked how + the holmgang had gone, and when he told them they said that two bold men + had struck small blows, and he had gained the victory only through + Cormac's mishap. When Bersi met Steingerd, and she asked how it went, he + made this verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) + “They call him, and truly they tell it, + A tree of the helmet right noble: + But the master of manhood must bring me + Three marks for his ransom and rescue. + Though stout in the storm of the bucklers + In the stress of the Valkyrie's tempest + He will bid me no more to the battle, + For the best of the struggle was ours.” + </pre> + <p> + Steinar and Cormac rode from Ellidi and passed through Saurbae. They saw + men riding towards them, and yonder came Bersi. He greeted Cormac and + asked how the wound was getting on. Cormac said it needed little to be + healed. + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou let me heal thee?” said Bersi; “though from me thou didst get + it: and then it will be soon over.” + </p> + <p> + Cormac said nay, for he meant to be his lifelong foe. Then answered Bersi:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) + “Thou wilt mind thee for many a season + How we met in the high voice of Hilda. + Right fain I go forth to the spear-mote + Being fitted for every encounter. + There Cormac's gay shield from his clutches + I clave with the bane of the bucklers, + For he scorned in the battle to seek me + If we set not the lists of the holmgang.” + </pre> + <p> + Thus they parted; and then Cormac went home to Mel and saw his mother. She + healed his hand; it had become ugly and healed badly. The notch in + Skofnung they whetted, but the more they whetted the bigger it was. So he + went to Reykir, and flung Skofnung at Skeggi's feet, with this verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) + “I bring thee, thus broken and edgeless, + The blade that thou gavest me, Skeggi! + I warrant thy weapon could bite not: + I won not the fight by its witchcraft. + No gain of its virtue nor glory + I got in the strife of the weapons, + When we met for to mingle the sword-storm + For the maiden my singing adorns.” + </pre> + <p> + Said Skeggi, “It went as I warned thee.” Cormac flung forth and went home + to Mel: and when he met with Dalla he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (29) + “To the field went I forth, O my mother + The flame of the armlet who guardest,— + To dare the cave-dweller, my foeman + And I deemed I should smite him in battle. + But the brand that is bruited in story + It brake in my hand as I held it; + And this that should thrust men to slaughter + Is thwarted and let of its might. + + (30) + For I borrowed to bear in the fighting + No blunt-edged weapon of Skeggi: + There is strength in the serpent that quivers + By the side of the land of the girdle. + But vain was the virtue of Skofnung + When he vanquished the sharpness of Whitting; + And a shard have I shorn, to my sorrow, + From the shearer of ringleted mail. + + (31) + Yon tusker, my foe, wrought me trouble + When targe upon targe I had carven: + For the thin wand of slaughter was shattered + And it sundered the ground of my handgrip. + Loud bellowed the bear of the sea-king + When he brake from his lair in the scabbard, + At the hest of the singer, who seeketh + The sweet hidden draught of the gods. + + (32) + Afar must I fare, O my mother, + And a fate points the pathway before me, + For that white-wreathen tree may woo not + —Two wearisome morrows her outcast. + And it slays me, at home to be sitting, + So set is my heart on its goddess, + As a lawn with fair linen made lovely + —I can linger no third morrow's morn.” + </pre> + <p> + After that, Cormac went one day to Reykir and talked with Skeggi, who said + the holmgang had been brought to scorn. Then answered Cormac:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (33) + “Forget it, O Frey of the helmet, + —Lo, I frame thee a song in atonement— + That the bringer of blood, even Skofnung, + I bare thee so strangely belated. + For by stirrers of storm was I wounded; + They smote me where perches the falcon: + But the blade that I borrowed, O Skeggi, + Was borne in the clashing of edges. + + (34) + I had deemed, O thou Grey of fighting, + Of the fierce song of Odin,—my neighbour, + I had deemed that a brand meet for bloodshed + I bare to the crossways of slaughter. + Nay,—thy glaive, it would gape not nor ravin + Against him, the rover who robbed me: + And on her, as the surge on the shingle, + My soul beats and breaks evermore.” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWELVE. Bersi's Bad Luck At The Thor's-Ness Thing. + </h2> + <p> + In the winter, sports were held at Saurbae. Bersi's lad, Asmund, was + there, and likewise the sons of Thord; but they were younger than he, and + nothing like so sturdy. When they wrestled Asmund took no heed to stint + his strength, and the sons of Thord often came home blue and bleeding. + Their mother Thordis was ill pleased, and asked her husband would he give + Bersi a hint to make it up on behalf of his son. Nay, Thord answered, he + was loath to do that. + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll find my brother Bork,” said she, “and it will be just as bad in + the end.” + </p> + <p> + Thord bade her do no such thing. “I would rather talk it over with him,” + said he; and so, at her wish, he met Bersi, and hinted that some amends + were owing. + </p> + <p> + Said Bersi, “Thou art far too greedy of getting, nowadays. This kind of + thing will end in losing thee thy good name. Thou wilt never want while + anything is to be got here.” + </p> + <p> + Thord went home, and there was a coolness between them while that winter + lasted. + </p> + <p> + Spring slipped by, until it was time for the meeting at Thor's-ness. By + then, Bersi thought he saw through this claim of Thord's, and found + Thordis at the bottom of it. For all that, he made ready to go to the + Thing. By old use and wont these two neighbours should have gone riding + together; so Bersi set out and came to Muli, but when he got there Thord + was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “Thord has broken old use and wont in awaiting me no + longer.” + </p> + <p> + “If breach there be,” answered Thordis, “it is thy doing. This is nothing + to what we owe thee, and I doubt there will be more to follow.” + </p> + <p> + They had words. Bersi said that harm would come of her evil counsel; and + so they parted. + </p> + <p> + When he left the house he said to his men, “Let us turn aside to the shore + and take a boat; it is a long way to ride round the waterhead.” So they + took a boat—it was one of Thord's—and went their way. + </p> + <p> + They came to the meeting when most other folks were already there, and + went to the tent of Olaf Peacock of Hjardarholt (Herdholt), for he was + Bersi's chief. It was crowded inside, and Bersi found no seat. He used to + sit next Thord, but that place was filled. In it there sat a big and + strong-looking man, with a bear-skin coat, and a hood that shaded his + face. Bersi stood a while before him, but the seat was not given up. He + asked the man for his name, and was told he might call him Bruin, or he + might call him Hoodie—which-ever he liked; whereupon he said in + verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) + “Who sits in the seat of the warriors, + With the skin of the bear wrapped around him, + So wild in his look?—Ye have welcomed + A wolf to your table, good kinsfolk! + Ah, now may I know him, I reckon! + Doth he name himself Bruin, or Hoodie?— + We shall meet once again in the morning, + And maybe he'll prove to be—Steinar.” + </pre> + <p> + “And it's no use for thee to hide thy name, thou in the bearskin,” said + he. + </p> + <p> + “No more it is,” he answered. “Steinar I am, and I have brought money to + pay thee for Cormac, if so be it is needed. But first I bid thee to fight. + It will have to be seen whether thou get the two marks of silver, or + whether thou lose them both.” + </p> + <p> + Upon which quoth Bersi:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) + “They that waken the storm of the spear-points— + For slaughter and strife they are famous— + To the island they bid me for battle, + Nor bitter I think it nor woeful; + For long in that craft am I learned + To loosen the Valkyrie's tempest + In the lists, and I fear not to fight them— + Unflinching in battle am I. +</pre> + <p> + “Well I wot, though,” said he, “that ye and your gang mean to make away + with me. But I would let you know that I too have something to say about + it—something that will set down your swagger, maybe.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not thy death we are seeking,” answered Steinar; “all we want is to + teach thee thy true place.” + </p> + <p> + Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and took up + his abode there. + </p> + <p> + Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea. Said Steinar to + Bersi, “Wilt try a race with me, Bersi?” + </p> + <p> + “I have given over swimming,” said he, “and yet I'll try.” + </p> + <p> + Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out with all + his might. In so doing he showed a charm he wore round his neck. Steinar + swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with the bag it was in, and threw + them both into the water, saying in verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (37) + “Long I've lived, + And I've let the gods guide me; + Brown hose I never wore + To bring the luck beside me. + I've never knit + All to keep me thriving + Round my neck a bag of worts, + —And lo! I'm living!” + </pre> + <p> + Upon that they struck out to land. + </p> + <p> + But this turn that Steinar played was Thord's trick to make Bersi lose his + luck in the fight. And Thord went along the shore at low water and found + the luck-stone, and hid it away. + </p> + <p> + Now Steinar had a sword that was called after Skrymir the giant: it was + never fouled, and no mishap followed it. On the day fixed, Thord and + Steinar went out of the tent, and Cormac also came to the meeting to hold + the shield of Steinar. Olaf Peacock got men to help Bersi at the fight, + for Thord had been used to hold his shield, but this time failed him. So + Bersi went to the trysting-place with a shield-bearer who is not named in + the story, and with the round target that once had belonged to Thorveig. + </p> + <p> + Each man was allowed three shields. Bersi cut up two, and then Cormac took + the third. Bersi hacked away, but Whitting his sword stuck fast in the + iron border of Steinar's shield. Cormac whirled it up just when Steinar + was striking out. He struck the shield-edge, and the sword glanced off, + slit Bersi's buttock, sliced his thigh down to the knee-joint, and stuck + in the bone. And so Bersi fell. + </p> + <p> + “There!” cried Steinar, “Cormac's fine is paid.” + </p> + <p> + But Bersi leapt up, slashed at him, and clove his shield. The sword-point + was at Steinar's breast when Thord rushed forth and dragged him away, out + of reach. + </p> + <p> + “There!” cried Thord to Bersi, “I have paid thee for the mauling of my + sons.” + </p> + <p> + So Bersi was carried to the tent, and his wound was dressed. After a + while, Thord came in; and when Bersi saw him he said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) + “When the wolf of the war-god was howling + Erstwhile in the north, thou didst aid me: + When it gaped in my hand, and it girded + At the Valkyries' gate for to enter. + But now wilt thou never, O warrior, + At need in the storm-cloud of Odin + Give me help in the tempest of targes + —Untrusty, unfaithful art thou. + + (39) + “For when I was a stripling I showed me + To the stems of the lightning of battle + Right meet for the mist of the war-maids; + —Ah me! that was said long ago. + But now, and I may not deny it + My neighbours in earth must entomb me, + At the spot I have sought for grave-mound + Where Saurbae lies level and green.” + </pre> + <p> + Said Thord, “I have no wish for thy death; but I own it is no sorrow to + see thee down for once.” + </p> + <p> + To which Bersi answered in song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (40) + “The friend that I trusted has failed me + In the fight, and my hope is departed: + I speak what I know of; and note it, + Ye nobles,—I tell ye no leasing. + Lo, the raven is ready for carnage, + But rare are the friends who should succour. + Yet still let them scorn me and threaten, + I shrink not, I am not dismayed.” + </pre> + <p> + After this, Bersi was taken home to Saurbae, and lay long in his wounds. + </p> + <p> + But when he was carried into the tent, at that very moment Steinar spoke + thus to Cormac:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (41) + “Of the reapers in harvest of Hilda + —Thou hast heard of it—four men and eight men + With the edges of Skrymir to aid me + I have urged to their flight from the battle. + Now the singer, the steward of Odin, + Hath smitten at last even Bersi + With the flame of the weapon that feedeth + The flocks of the carrion crows.” + </pre> + <p> + “I would have thee keep Skrymir now for thy own, Cormac,” said he, + “because I mean this fight to be my last.” + </p> + <p> + After that, they parted in friendly wise: Steinar went home, and Cormac + fared to Mel. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Steingerd Leaves Bersi. + </h2> + <p> + Next it is told of Bersi. His wound healed but slowly. Once on a time a + many folk were met to talk about that meeting and what came of it, and + Bersi made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (42) + “Thou didst leave me forlorn to the sword-stroke, + Strong lord of the field of the serpent! + And needy and fallen ye find me, + Since my foeman ye shielded from danger. + Thus cunning and counsel are victors, + When the craft of the spear-shaft avails not; + But this, as I think, is the ending, + O Thord, of our friendship for ever!” + </pre> + <p> + A while later Thord came to his bedside and brought back the luck-stone; + and with it he healed Bersi, and they took to their friendship again and + held it unbroken ever after. + </p> + <p> + Because of these happenings, Steingerd fell into loathing of Bersi and + made up her mind to part with him; and when she had got everything ready + for going away she went to him and said:—“First ye were called + Eygla's-Bersi, and then Holmgang-Bersi, but now your right name will be + Breech-Bersi!” and spoke her divorce from him. + </p> + <p> + She went north to her kinsfolk, and meeting with her brother Thorkel she + bade him seek her goods again from Bersi—her pin-money and her + dowry, saying that she would not own him now that he was maimed. Thorkel + Toothgnasher never blamed her for that, and agreed to undertake her + errand; but the winter slipped by and his going was put off. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The Bane Of Thorkel Toothgnasher. + </h2> + <p> + Afterwards, in the spring, Thorkel Toothgnasher set out to find Bersi and + to seek Steingerd's goods again. Bersi said that his burden was heavy + enough to bear, even though both together underwent the weight of it. “And + I shall not pay the money!” said he. + </p> + <p> + Said Thorkel, “I bid thee to the holmgang at Orrestholm beside Tjaldanes + (Tentness).” + </p> + <p> + “That ye will think hardly worth while,” said Bersi, “such a champion as + you are; and yet I undertake for to come.” + </p> + <p> + So they came to the holme and fell to the holmgang. Thord carried the + shield before Bersi, and Vali was Thorkel's shield-bearer. When two + shields had been hacked to splinters, Bersi bade Thorkel take the third; + but he would not. Bersi still had a shield, and a sword that was long and + sharp. + </p> + <p> + Said Thorkel, “The sword ye have, Bersi, is longer than lawful.” + </p> + <p> + “That shall not be,” cried Bersi; and took up his other sword, Whitting, + two-handed, and smote Thorkel his deathblow. Then sang he:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (43) + “I have smitten Toothgnasher and slain him, + And I smile at the pride of his boasting. + One more to my thirty I muster, + And, men! say ye this of the battle:— + In the world not a lustier liveth + Among lords of the steed of the oar-bench; + Though by eld of my strength am I stinted + To stain the black wound-bird with blood.” + </pre> + <p> + After these things Vali bade Bersi to the holmgang, but he answered in + this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (44) + “They that waken the war of the mail-coats, + For warfare and manslaying famous, + To the lists they have bid me to battle, + Nor bitter I think it not woeful. + It is sport for yon swordsmen who goad me + To strive in the Valkyries' tempest + On the holme; but I fear not to fight them— + Unflinching in battle am I!” + </pre> + <p> + The were even about to begin fighting, when Thord came and spoke to them + saying:—“Woeful waste of life I call it, if brave men shall be + smitten down for the sake of any such matters. I am ready to make it up + between ye two.” + </p> + <p> + To this they agreed, and he said:—“Vali, this methinks is the most + likely way of bringing you together. Let Bersi take thy sister Thordis to + wife. It is a match that may well be to thy worship.” + </p> + <p> + Bersi agreed to this, and it was settled that the land of Brekka should go + along with her as a dowry; and so this troth was plighted between them. + Bersi afterwards had a strong stone wall built around his homestead, and + sat there for many winters in peace. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER FIFTEEN. The Rescue Of Steinvor Slim-ankles. + </h2> + <p> + There was a man named Thorarin Alfsson, who lived in the north at + Thambardal; that is a dale which goes up from the fiord called Bitra. He + was a big man and mighty, and he was by-named Thorarin the Strong. He had + spent much of his time in seafaring (as a chapman) and so lucky was he + that he always made the harbour he aimed at. + </p> + <p> + He had three sons; one was named Alf, the next Loft, and the third Skofti. + Thorarin was a most overbearing man, and his sons took after him. They + were rough, noisy fellows. + </p> + <p> + Not far away, at Tunga (Tongue) in Bitra, lived a man called Odd. His + daughter was named Steinvor, a pretty girl and well set up; her by-name + was Slim-ankles. Living with Odd were many fisherman; among them, staying + there for the fishing-season, was one Glum, an ill-tempered carle and bad + to deal with. + </p> + <p> + Now once upon a time these two, Odd and Glum, were in talk together which + were the greatest men in the countryside. Glum reckoned Thorarin to be + foremost, but Odd said Holmgang Bersi was better than he in every way. + </p> + <p> + “How can ye make that out?” asked Glum. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any likeness whatever,” said Odd, “between the bravery of Bersi + and the knavery of Thorarin?” + </p> + <p> + So they talked about this until they fell out, and laid a wager upon it. + </p> + <p> + Then Glum wend and told Thorarin. He grew very angry and made many a + threat against Odd. And in a while he went and carried off Steinvor from + Tunga, all to spite her father; and he gave out that if Odd said anything + against it, the worse for him: and so took her home to Thambardal. + </p> + <p> + Things went on so for a while, and then Odd went to see Holmgang Bersi, + and told him what had happened. He asked him for help to get Steinvor back + and to wreak vengeance for that shame. Bersi answered that such words had + been better unsaid, and bade him go home and take no share in the + business. “But yet,” added he, “I promise that I will see to it.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner was Odd gone than Bersi made ready to go from home. He rode + fully armed, with Whitting at his belt, and three spears; he came to + Thambardal when the day was far spent and the women were coming out of the + bower. Steinvor saw him and turning to meet him told of her unhappiness. + </p> + <p> + “Make ready to go with me,” said he; and that she did. + </p> + <p> + He would not go to Thambardal for nothing, he said; and so he turned to + the door where men were sitting by long fires. He knocked at the door, and + out there came a man—his name was Thorleif. But Thorarin knew + Bersi's voice, and rushed forth with a great carving-knife and laid on to + him. Bersi was aware of it, and drew Whitting, and struck him his + death-blow. + </p> + <p> + Then he leapt on horseback and set Steinvor on his knee and took his + spears which she had kept for him. He rode some way into the wood, where + in a hidden spot he left his horse and Steinvor, bidding her await him. + Then he went to a narrow gap through which the high-road ran, and there + made ready to stand against his foes. + </p> + <p> + In Thambardal there was anything but peace. Thorleif ran to tell the sons + of Thorarin that he lay dead in the doorway. They asked who had done the + deed. He told them. Then they went after Bersi and steered the shortest + way to the gap, meaning to get there first; but by that time he was + already first at the gap. + </p> + <p> + When they came near him, Bersi hurled a spear at Alf, and it went right + through him. Then Loft cast at Bersi, but he caught the spear on his + target and it dropped off. Then Bersi threw at Loft and killed him, and so + he did by Skofti. + </p> + <p> + When all was over, the house-carles of the brothers came up. Thorleif + turned back to meet them, and they all went home together. + </p> + <p> + After that Bersi went to find Steinvor, and mounted his horse. He came + home before men were out of bed. They asked him about his journey and he + told them. When Odd met him he asked about the fight and how it had + passed, and Bersi answered in this verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (45) + “There was one fed the wolves has encountered + His weird in the dale of the Bowstring— + Thorarin the Strong, 'neath the slayer + Lay slain by the might of my weapon. + And loss of their lives men abided + When Loft fell, and Alf fell, and Skofti. + They were four, yonder kinsmen, and fated— + They were fey—and I met them, alone!” + </pre> + <p> + After that Odd went home, but Steinvor was with Bersi, though it misliked + Thordis, his wife. By this time his stone wall was some-what broken down, + but he had it built up again; and it is said that no blood-money was ever + paid for Thorarin and his sons. So the time went on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SIXTEEN. How Vali Fell Before An Old Man And A Boy. + </h2> + <p> + Once on a day when Thordis and Bersi were talking together, said he, “I + have been thinking I might ask Olaf Peacock for a child of his to foster.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said she, “I think little of that. It seems to me a great trouble, + and I doubt if folk will reckon more of us for it.” + </p> + <p> + “It means that I should have a sure friend,” answered he. “I have many + foes, and I am growing heavy with age.” + </p> + <p> + So he went to see Olaf, and asked for a child to foster. Olaf took it with + thanks, and Bersi carried Halldor home with him and got Steinvor to be + nurse. This too misliked Thordis, and she laid hands on every penny she + could get (for fear it should go to Steinvor and the foster-child). + </p> + <p> + At last Bersi took to ageing much. There was one time when men riding to + the Thing stayed at his house. He sat all by himself, and his food was + brought him before the rest were served. He had porridge while other folk + had cheese and curds. Then he made this verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (46) + “To batten the black-feathered wound-bird + With the blade of my axe have I stricken + Full thirty and five of my foemen; + I am famed for the slaughter of warriors. + May the fiends have my soul if I stain not + My sharp-edged falchion once over! + And then let the breaker of broadswords + Be borne—and with speed—to the grave!” + </pre> + <p> + “What?” said Halldor; “hast thou a mind to kill another man, then?” + </p> + <p> + Answered Bersi, “I see the man it would rightly serve!” + </p> + <p> + Now Thordis let her brother Vali feed his herds on the land of Brekka. + Bersi bade his house-carles work at home, and have no dealings with Vali; + but still Halldor thought it a hardship that Bersi had not his own will + with his own wealth. One day Bersi made this verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (47) + “Here we lie, + Both on one settle— + Halldor and I, + Men of no mettle. + Youth ails thee, + But thou'lt win through it; + Age ails me, + And I must rue it!” + </pre> + <p> + “I do hate Vali,” said Halldor; and Bersi answered thus in verse:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (48) + “Yon Vali, so wight as he would be, + Well wot I our pasture he grazes; + Right fain yonder fierce helmet-wearer + Under foot my dead body would trample! + But often my wrongs have I wreaked + In wrath on the mail-coated warrior— + On the stems of the sun of the ocean + I have stained the wound-serpent for less!” + </pre> + <p> + And again he said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (49) + “With eld I am listless and lamed— + I, the lord of the gold of the armlet: + I sit, and am still under many + A slight from the warders of spear-meads. + Though shield-bearers shape for the singer + To shiver alone in the grave-mound, + Yet once in the war would I redden + The wand that hews helms ere I fail.” + </pre> + <p> + “Thy heart is not growing old, foster-father mine!” cried Halldor. + </p> + <p> + Upon that Bersi fell into talk with Steinvor, and said to her “I am laying + a plot, and I need thee to help me.” + </p> + <p> + She said she would if she could. + </p> + <p> + “Pick a quarrel,” said he, “with Thordis about the milk-kettle, and do + thou hold on to it until you whelm it over between you. Then I will come + in and take her part and give thee nought but bad words. Then go to Vali + and tell him how ill we treat thee.” + </p> + <p> + Everything turned out as he had planned. She went to Vali and told him + that things were no way smooth for her; would he take her over the gap (to + Bitra to her father's:) and so he did. + </p> + <p> + But when he was on the way back again, out came Bersi and Halldor to meet + him. Bersi had a halberd in one hand and a staff in the other, and Halldor + had Whitting. As soon as Vali saw them he turned and hewed at Bersi. + Halldor came at his back and fleshed Whitting in his hough-sinews. + Thereupon he turned sharply and fell upon Halldor. Then Bersi set the + halberd-point betwixt his shoulders. That was his death-wound. + </p> + <p> + Then they set his shield at his feet and his sword at his head, and spread + his cloak over him; and after that got on horseback and rode to five + homesteads to make known the deed they had done and then rode home. Men + went and buried Vali, and the place where he fell has ever since been + called Vali's fall. + </p> + <p> + Halldor was twelve winters old when these doings came to pass. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. How Steingerd Was Married Again. + </h2> + <p> + Now there was a man named Thorvald, the son of Eystein, bynamed the + Tinker: he was a wealthy man, a smith, and a skald; but he was + mean-spirited for all that. His brother Thorvard lived in the north + country at Fliot (Fleet); and they had many kinsmen,— the Skidings + they were called,—but little luck or liking. + </p> + <p> + Now Thorvald the Tinker asked Steingerd to wife. Her folk were for it, and + she said nothing against it; and so she was wed to him in the very same + summer in which she left Bersi. + </p> + <p> + When Cormac heard the news he made as though he knew nothing whatever + about the matter; for a little earlier he had taken his goods aboard ship, + meaning to go away with his brother. But one morning early he rode from + the ship and went to see Steingerd; and when he got talk with her, he + asked would she make him a shirt. To which she answered that he had no + business to pay her visits; neither Thorvald nor his kinsmen would abide + it, she said, but have their revenge. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he made his voice:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (50) + “Nay, think it or thole it I cannot, + That thou, a young fir of the forest + Enwreathed in the gold that thou guardest, + Shouldst be given to a tinkering tinsmith. + Nay, scarce can I smile, O thou glittering + In silk like the goddess of Baldur, + Since thy father handfasted and pledged thee, + So famed as thou art, to a coward.” + </pre> + <p> + “In such words,” answered Steingerd, “an ill will is plain to hear. I + shall tell Thorvald of this ribaldry: no man would sit still under such + insults.” + </p> + <p> + Then sang Cormac:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (51) + “What gain is to get if he threatens, + White goddess in raiment of beauty, + The scorn that the Skidings may bear me? + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme you the roystering caitiffs + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for them if they loosen + The line of their fate that I ravel!” + </pre> + <p> + Thereupon they parted with no blitheness, and Cormac went to his ship. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Cormac's Voyage To Norway. + </h2> + <p> + The two brothers had but left the roadstead, when close beside their ship, + uprose a walrus. Cormac hurled at it a pole-staff, which struck the beast, + so that it sank again: but the men aboard thought that they knew its eyes + for the eyes of Thorveig the witch. That walrus came up no more, but of + Thorveig it was heard that she lay sick to death; and indeed folk say that + this was the end of her. + </p> + <p> + Then they sailed out to sea, and at last came to Norway, where at that + time Hakon, the foster-son of Athelstan, was king. He made them welcome, + and so they stayed there the winter long with all honour. + </p> + <p> + Next summer they set out to the wars, and did many great deeds. Along with + them went a man called Siegfried, a German of good birth; and they made + raids both far and wide. One day as they were gone up the country eleven + men together came against the two brothers, and set upon them; but this + business ended in their overcoming the whole eleven, and so after a while + back to their ship. The vikings had given them up for lost, and fain were + their folk when they came back with victory and wealth. + </p> + <p> + In this voyage the brothers got great renown: and late in the summer, when + winter was coming on, they made up their minds to steer for Norway. They + met with cold winds; the sail was behung with icicles, but the brothers + were always to the fore. It was on his voyage that Cormac made the song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (52) + “O shake me yon rime from the awning; + Your singer's a-cold in his berth; + For the hills are all hooded, dear Skardi, + In the hoary white veil of the firth. + There's one they call Wielder of Thunder + I would were as chill and as cold; + But he leaves not the side of his lady + As the lindworm forsakes not its gold.” + </pre> + <p> + “Always talking of her now!” said Thorgils; “and yet thou wouldst not have + her when thou couldst.” + </p> + <p> + “That was more the fault of witchcraft,” answered Cormac, “that any want + of faith in me.” + </p> + <p> + Not long after they were sailing hard among crags, and shortened sail in + great danger. + </p> + <p> + “It is a pity Thorvald Tinker is not with us here!” said Cormac. + </p> + <p> + Said Thorgils with a smile, “Most likely he is better off than we, + to-day!” + </p> + <p> + But before long they came to land in Norway. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER NINETEEN. How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home To Iceland; + And How He Met Steingerd Again. + </h2> + <p> + While they were abroad there had been a change of kings; Hakon was dead, + and Harald Greyfell reigned in his stead. They offered friendship to the + king, and he took their suit kindly; so they went with him to Ireland, and + fought battles there. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time when they had gone ashore with the king, a great host + came against him, and as the armies met, Cormac made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (53) + “I dread not a death from the foemen, + Though we dash at them, buckler to buckler, + While our prince in the power of his warriors + Is proud of me foremost in battle. + But the glimpse of a glory comes o'er me + Like the gleam of the moon on the skerry, + And I faint and I fail for my longing, + For the fair one at home in the North.” + </pre> + <p> + “Ye never get into danger,” said Thorgils, “but ye think of Steingerd!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” answered Cormac, “but it's not often I forget her.” + </p> + <p> + Well: this was a great battle, and king Harald won a glorious victory. + While his men drove the rout before him, the brothers were shoulder to + shoulder; and they fell upon nine men at once and fought them. And while + they were at it, Cormac sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (54) + “Fight on, arrow-driver, undaunted, + And down with the foemen of Harald! + What are nine? they are nought! Thou and I, lad, + Are enough;—they are ours!—we have won them! + But—at home,—in the arms of an outlaw + That all the gods loathe for a monster, + So white and so winsome she nestles + —Yet once she was loving to me!” + </pre> + <p> + “It always comes down to that!” said Thorgils. When the fight was over, + the brothers had got the victory, and the nine men had fallen before them; + for which they won great praise from the king, and many honours beside. + </p> + <p> + But while they were ever with the king in his warfarings, Thorgils was + aware that Cormac was used to sleep but little; and he asked why this + might be. This was the song Cormac made in answer:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (55) + “Surf on a rock-bound shore of the sea-king's blue domain— + Look how it lashes the crags, hark how it thunders again! + But all the din of the isles that the Delver heaves in foam + In the draught of the undertow glides out to the sea-gods' + home. + Now, which of us two should test? Is it thou, with thy + heart at ease, + Or I that am surf on the shore in the tumult of angry seas? + —Drawn, if I sleep, to her that shines with the ocean- + gleam, + —Dashed, when I wake, to woe, for the want of my + glittering dream.” + </pre> + <p> + “And now let me tell you this, brother,” he went on. “Hereby I give out + that I am going back to Iceland.” + </p> + <p> + Said Thorgils, “There is many a snare set for thy feet, brother, to drag + thee down, I know not whither.” + </p> + <p> + But when the king heard of his longing to begone, he sent for Cormac, and + said that he did unwisely, and would hinder him from his journey. But all + this availed nothing, and aboard ship he went. + </p> + <p> + At the outset they met with foul winds, so that they shipped great seas, + and the yard broke. Then Cormac sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (56) + “I take it not ill, like the Tinker + If a trickster had foundered his muck-sled; + For he loves not rough travelling, the losel, + And loath would he be of this uproar. + I flinch not,—nay, hear it, ye fearless + Who flee not when arrows are raining,— + Though the steeds of the ocean be storm-bound + And stayed in the harbour of Solund.” + </pre> + <p> + So they pushed out to sea, and hard weather they tholed. Once on a time + when the waves broke over the deck and drenched them all, Cormac made this + song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (57) + “O the Tinker's a lout and a lubber, + And the life of a sailor he dares not, + When the snow-crested surges caress us + And sweep us away with their kisses, + He bides in a berth that is warmer, + Embraced in the arms of his lady; + And lightly she lulls him to slumber, + —But long she has reft me of rest!” + </pre> + <p> + They had a very rough voyage, but landed at last in Midfiord, and anchored + off shore. Looking landward they beheld where a lady was riding by; and + Cormac knew at once that it was Steingerd. He bade his men launch a boat, + and rowed ashore. He went quickly from the boat, and got a horse, and rode + to meet her. When they met, he leapt from horseback and helped her to + alight, making a seat for her beside him on the ground. + </p> + <p> + Their horses wandered away: the day passed on, and it began to grow dark. + At last Steingerd said, “It is time to look for our horses.” + </p> + <p> + Little search would be needed, said Cormac; but when he looked about, they + were nowhere in sight. As it happened, they were hidden in a gill not far + from where the two were sitting. + </p> + <p> + So, as night was hard at hand, they set out to walk, and came to a little + farm, where they were taken in and treated well, even as they needed. That + night they slept each on either side of the carven wainscot that parted + bed from bed: and Cormac made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (58) + “We rest, O my beauty, my brightest, + But a barrier lies ever between us. + So fierce are the fates and so mighty + —I feel it—that rule to their rede. + Ah, nearer I would be, and nigher, + Till nought should be left to dispart us, + —The wielder of Skofnung the wonder, + And the wearer of sheen from the deep.” + </pre> + <p> + “It was better thus,” said Steingerd: but he sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (59) + “We have slept 'neath one roof-tree—slept softly, + O sweet one, O queen of the mead-horn, + O glory of sea-dazzle gleaming, + These grim hours,—these five nights, I count them. + And here in the kettle-prow cabined + While the crow's day drags on in the darkness, + How loathly me seems to be lying, + How lonely,—so near and so far!” + </pre> + <p> + “That,” said she, “is all over and done with; name it no more.” But he + sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (60) + “The hot stone shall float,—ay, the hearth-stone + Like a husk of the corn on the water, + —Ah, woe for the wight that she loves not!— + And the world,—ah, she loathes me!—shall perish, + And the fells that are famed for their hugeness + Shall fail and be drowned in the ocean, + Or ever so gracious a goddess + Shall grow into beauty like Steingerd.” + </pre> + <p> + Then Steingerd cried out that she would not have him make songs upon her: + but he went on:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (61) + “I have known it and noted it clearly, + O neckleted fair one, in visions, + —Is it doom for my hopes,—is it daring + To dream?—O so oft have I seen it!— + Even this,—that the boughs of thy beauty, + O braceleted fair one, shall twine them + Round the hill where the hawk loves to settle, + The hand of thy lover, at last.” + </pre> + <p> + “That,” said she, “never shall be, if I can help it. Thou didst let me go, + once for all; and there is no more hope for thee.” + </p> + <p> + So then they slept the night long; and in the morning, when Cormac was + making ready to be gone, he found Steingerd, and took the ring off his + finger to give her. + </p> + <p> + “Fiend take thee and thy gold together!” she cried. And this is what he + answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (62) + “To a dame in her broideries dainty + This drift of the furnace I tendered; + O day of ill luck, for a lover + So lured, and so heartlessly cheated! + Too blithe in the pride of her beauty— + The bliss that I crave she denies me; + So rich that no boon can I render, + —And my ring she would hurl to the fiends!” + </pre> + <p> + So Cormac rode forth, being somewhat angry with Steingerd, but still more + so with the Tinker. He rode home to Mel, and stayed there all the winter, + taking lodgings for his chapmen near the ship. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY. Of A Spiteful Song That Cormac Never Made; And How Angry + Steingerd Was. + </h2> + <p> + Now Thorvald the Tinker lived in the north-country at Svinadal (Swindale), + but his brother Thorvard at Fliot. In the winter Cormac took his way + northward to see Steingerd; and coming to Svinadal he dismounted and went + into the chamber. She was sitting on the dais, and he took his seat beside + her; Thorvald sat on the bench, and Narfi by him. + </p> + <p> + Then said Narfi to Thorvald, “How canst thou sit down, with Cormac here? + It is no time, this, for sitting still!” + </p> + <p> + But Thorvald answered, “I am content; there is no harm done it seems to + me, though they do talk together.” + </p> + <p> + “That is ill,” said Narfi. + </p> + <p> + Not long afterwards Thorvald met his brother Thorvard and told him about + Cormac's coming to his house. + </p> + <p> + “Is it right, think you,” said Thorvard, “to sit still while such things + happen?” + </p> + <p> + He answered that there was no harm done as yet, but that Cormac's coming + pleased him not. + </p> + <p> + “I'll mend that,” cried Thorvard, “if you dare not. The shame of it + touches us all.” + </p> + <p> + So this was the next thing,—that Thorvard came to Svinadal, and the + Skiding brothers and Narfi paid a gangrel beggar-man to sing a song in the + hearing of Steingerd, and to say that Cormac had made it,—which was + a lie. They said that Cormac had taught this song to one called Eylaug, a + kinswoman of his; and these were the words:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (63) + “I wish an old witch that I know of, + So wealthy and proud of her havings, + Were turned to a steed in the stable + —Called Steingerd—and I were the rider! + I'd bit her, and bridle, and saddle, + I'd back her and drive her and tame her; + So many she owns for her masters, + But mine she will never become!” + </pre> + <p> + Then Steingerd grew exceedingly angry, so that she would not so much as + hear Cormac named. When he heard that, he went to see her. Long time he + tried in vain to get speech with her; but at last she gave this answer,—that + she misliked his holding her up to shame,—“And now it is all over + the country-side!” + </p> + <p> + Cormac said it was not true; but she answered, “Thou mightest flatly deny + it, if I had not heard it.” + </p> + <p> + “Who sang it in thy hearing?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + She told him who sang it,—“And thou needest not hope for speech with + me if this prove true.” + </p> + <p> + He rode away to look for the rascal, and when he found him the truth was + forced out at last. Cormac was very angry, and set on Narfi and slew him. + That same onset was meant for Thorvald, but he hid himself in the shadow + and skulked, until men came between then and parted them. Said Cormac:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (64) + “There, hide in the house like a coward, + And hope not hereafter to scare me + With the scorn of thy brethren the Skidings,— + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme on the swaggering rascals + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for you if ye loosen + The line of your fate that I ravel!” + </pre> + <p> + This went all over the country-side and the feud grew fiercer between + them. The brothers Thorvald and Thorvard used big words, and Cormac was + wroth when he heard them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. How Thorvard Would Not Fight, But Tried To Get The Law + Of Cormac. + </h2> + <p> + After this Thorvard sent word from Fliot that he was fain to fight Cormac, + and he fixed time and place, saying that he would now take revenge for + that song of shame and all other slights. + </p> + <p> + To this Cormac agreed; and when the day came he went to the spot that was + named, but Thorvard was not there, nor any of his men. Cormac met a woman + from the farm hard by, who greeted him, and they asked each other for + news. + </p> + <p> + “What is your errand?” said she; “and why are you waiting here?” + </p> + <p> + Then he answered with this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (65) + “Too slow for the struggle I find him, + That spender of fire from the ocean, + Who flung me a challenge to fight him + From Fleet in the land of the North. + That half-witted hero should get him + A heart made of clay for his carcase, + Though the mate of the may with the necklace + Is more of a fool than his fere!” + </pre> + <p> + “Now,” said Cormac, “I bid Thorvard anew to the holmgang, if he can be + called in his right mind. Let him be every man's nithing if he come not!” + and then he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (66) + “The nithing shall silence me never, + Though now for their shame they attack me, + But the wit of the Skald is my weapon, + And the wine of the gods will uphold me. + And this they shall feel in its fulness; + Here my fame has its birth and beginning; + And the stout spears of battle shall see it, + If I 'scape from their hands with my life.” + </pre> + <p> + Then the brothers set on foot a law-suit against him for libel. Cormac's + kinsmen backed him up to answer it, and he would let no terms be made, + saying that they deserved the shame put upon them, and no honour; he was + not unready to meet them, unless they played him false. Thorvard had not + come to the holmgang when he had been challenged, and therefore the shame + had fallen of itself upon him and his, and they must put up with it. + </p> + <p> + So time passed until the Huna-water Thing. Thorvard and Cormac both went + to the meeting, and once they came together. + </p> + <p> + “Much enmity we owe thee,” said Thorvard, “and in many ways. Now therefore + I challenge thee to the holmgang, here at the Thing.” + </p> + <p> + Said Cormac, “Wilt thou be fitter than before? Thou hast drawn back time + after time.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” said Thorvard, “I will risk it. We can abide thy spite no + longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Cormac, “I'll not stand in the way;” and went home to Mel. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. What The Witch Did For Them In Their Fights. + </h2> + <p> + At Spakonufell (Spae-wife's-fell) lived Thordis the spae-wife, of whom we + have told before, with her husband Thorolf. They were both at the Thing, + and many a man thought her good-will was of much avail. So Thorvard sought + her out, to ask her help against Cormac, and gave her a fee; and she made + him ready for the holmgang according to her craft. + </p> + <p> + Now Cormac told his mother what was forward, and she asked if he thought + good would come of it. + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “That will not be enough for thee,” said Dalla. “Thorvard will never make + bold to fight without witchcraft to help him. I think it wise for thee to + see Thordis the spae-wife, for there is going to be foul play in this + affair.” + </p> + <p> + “It is little to my mind,” said he; and yet went to see Thordis, and asked + her help. + </p> + <p> + “Too late ye have come,” said she. “No weapon will bite on him now. And + yet I would not refuse thee. Bide here to-night, and seek thy good luck. + Anyway, I can manage so that iron bite thee no more than him.” + </p> + <p> + So Cormac stayed there for the night; and, awaking, found that some one + was groping round the coverlet at his head. “Who is there?” he asked, but + whoever it was made off, and out at the house-door, and Cormac after. And + then he saw it was Thordis, and she was going to the place where the fight + was to be, carrying a goose under her arm. + </p> + <p> + He asked what it all meant, and she set down the goose, saying, “Why + couldn't ye keep quiet?” + </p> + <p> + So he lay down again, but held himself awake, for he wanted to know what + she would be doing. Three times she came, and every time he tried to find + out what she was after. The third time, just as he came out, she had + killed two geese and let the blood run into a bowl, and she had taken up + the third goose to kill it. + </p> + <p> + “What means this business, foster-mother?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “True it will prove, Cormac, that you are a hard one to help,” said she. + “I was going to break the spell Thorveig laid on thee and Steingerd. Ye + could have loved one another been happy if I had killed the third goose + and no one seen it.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe nought of such things,” cried he; and this song he made about + it:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (67) + “I gave her an ore at the ayre, + That the arts of my foe should not prosper; + And twice she has taken the knife, + And twice she has offered the offering; + But the blood is the blood of a goose— + What boots it if two should be slaughtered?— + Never sacrifice geese for a Skald + Who sings for the glory of Odin!” + </pre> + <p> + So they went to the holmgang: but Thorvald gave the spae-wife a still + greater fee, and offered the sacrifice of geese; and Cormac said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (68) + “Trust never another man's mistress! + For I know, on this woman who weareth + The fire of the field of the sea-king + The fiends have been riding to revel. + The witch with her hoarse cry is working + For woe when we go to the holmgang, + And if bale be the end of the battle + The blame, be assured, will be hers.” + </pre> + <p> + “Well,” she said, “I can manage so that none shall know thee.” Then Cormac + began to upbraid her, saying she did nought but ill, and wanting to drag + her out to the door to look at her eyes in the sunshine. His brother + Thorgils made him leave that:—“What good will it do thee?” said he. + </p> + <p> + Now Steingerd gave out that she had a mind to see the fight; and so she + did. When Cormac saw her he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (69) + “I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the wimple! + And twice for thy sake have I striven; + What stays me as now from thy favour? + This twice have I gotten thee glory, + O goddess of ocean! and surely + To my dainty delight, to my darling + I am dearer by far than her mate.” + </pre> + <p> + So then they set to. Cormac's sword bit not at all, and for a long while + they smote strokes one upon the other, but neither sword bit. At last + Cormac smote upon Thorvard's side so great a blow that his ribs gave way + and were broken; he could fight no more, and thereupon they parted. Cormac + looked and saw where a bull was standing, which he slew for a sacrifice; + and being heated, he doffed his helmet from his head, saying this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (70) + “I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the bracelet! + Even three times for thee have I striven, + And this thou canst never deny me. + But the reed of the fight would not redden, + Though it rang on the shield-bearer's harness; + For the spells of a spae-wife had blunted + My sword that was eager for blood.” + </pre> + <p> + He wiped the sweat from him on the corner of Steingerd's mantle; and said:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (71) + “So oft, being wounded and weary, + I must wipe my sad brow on thy mantle. + What pangs for thy sake are my portion, + O pine-tree with red gold enwreathed! + Yet beside thee he snugs on the settle + As thou seamest thy broidery,—that rhymester! + And the shame of it whelms me in sorrow, + O Steingerd!—that rascal unslain!” + </pre> + <p> + And then Cormac prayed Steingerd that she would go with him: but Nay, she + said; she would have her own way about men. So they parted, and both were + ill pleased. + </p> + <p> + Thorvard was taken home, and she bound his wounds. Cormac was now always + meeting with Steingerd. Thorvard healed but slowly; and when he could get + on his feet he went to see Thordis, and asked her what was best to help + his healing. + </p> + <p> + “A hill there is,” answered she, “not far away from here, where elves have + their haunt. Now get you the bull that Cormac killed, and redden the outer + side of the hill with its blood, and make a feast for the elves with its + flesh. Then thou wilt be healed.” + </p> + <p> + So they sent word to Cormac that they would buy the bull. He answered that + he would sell it, but then he must have the ring that was Steingerd's. So + they brought the ring, took the bull, and did with it as Thordis bade them + do. On which Cormac made a song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (72) + “When the workers of wounds are returning, + And with them the sacrifice reddened, + Then a lady in raiment of linen, + Who loved me, time was,—she will ask:— + My ring,—have ye robbed me?—where is it? + —I have wrought them no little displeasure: + For the swain that is swarthy has won it, + The son of old Ogmund, the skald.” + </pre> + <p> + It fell out as he guessed. Steingerd was very angry because they had sold + her ring. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again. + </h2> + <p> + After that, Thorvard was soon healed, and when he thought he was strong + again, he rode to Mel and challenged Cormac to the holmgang. + </p> + <p> + “It takes thee long to tire of it,” said Cormac: “but I'll not say thee + nay.” + </p> + <p> + So they went to the fight, and Thordis met Thorvard now as before, but + Cormac sought no help from her. She blunted Cormac's sword, so that it + would not bite, but yet he struck so great a stroke on Thorvard's shoulder + that the collarbone was broken and his hand was good for nothing. Being so + maimed he could fight no longer, and had to pay another ring for his + ransom. + </p> + <p> + Then Thorolf of Spakonufell set upon Cormac and struck at him. He warded + off the blow and sang this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (73) + “This reddener of shields, feebly wrathful, + His rusty old sword waved against me, + Who am singer and sacred to Odin! + Go, snuffle, most wretched of men, thou! + A thrust of thy sword is as thewless + As thou, silly stirrer of battle. + What danger to me from thy daring, + Thou doited old witch-woman's carle?” + </pre> + <p> + Then he killed a bull in sacrifice according to use and wont, saying, “Ill + we brook your overbearing and the witchcraft of Thordis:” and he made this + song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (74) + “The witch in the wave of the offering + Has wasted the flame of the buckler, + Lest its bite on his back should be deadly + At the bringing together of weapons. + My sword was not sharp for the onset + When I sought the helm-wearer in battle; + But the cur got enough to cry craven, + With a clout that will mind him of me!” + </pre> + <p> + After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased with these + doings. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. How They All Went Out To Norway. + </h2> + <p> + Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in + Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the brothers + made up their minds for the voyage. When they were ready to start, Cormac + went to see Steingerd: and before they two parted he kissed her twice, and + his kisses were not at all hasty. The Tinker would not have it; and so + friends on both sides came in, and it was settled that Cormac should pay + for this that he had done. + </p> + <p> + “How much?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “The two rings that I parted with,” said Thorvard. Then Cormac made a + song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (75) + “Here is gold of the other's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,— + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses,— + For the dream of my bliss is betrayed.” + </pre> + <p> + And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (76) + “One song from my heart would I send her + Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her, + That dainty one, decked in her jewels + Who dwells in the valley of Swindale. + And each word that I utter shall enter + The ears of that lady of bounty, + Saying—Bright one, my beauty, I love thee, + Ah, better by far than my life!” + </pre> + <p> + So Cormac went abroad and his brother Thorgils went with him; and when + they came to the king's court they were made welcome. + </p> + <p> + Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that they also + should abroad together. He answered that it was mere folly, but + nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off on their voyage: and + as they made their way across the sea, they were attacked by vikings who + fell on them to rob them and to carry away Steingerd. But it so happened + that Cormac heard of it; and he made after them and gave good help, so + that they saved everything that belonged to them, and came safely at last + to the court of the king of Norway. + </p> + <p> + One day Cormac was walking in the street, and spied Steingerd sitting + within doors. So he went into the house and sat down beside her, and they + had a talk together which ended in his kissing her four kisses. But + Thorvald was on the watch. He drew his sword, but the women-folk rushed in + to part them, and word was sent to King Harald. He said they were very + troublesome people to keep in order.—“But let me settle this matter + between you,” said he; and they agreed. + </p> + <p> + Then spake the king:—“One kiss shall be atoned for by this, that + Cormac helped you to get safely to land. The next kiss is Cormac's, + because he saved Steingerd. For the other two he shall pay two ounces of + gold.” + </p> + <p> + Upon which Cormac sang the same song that he had made before:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (77) + “Here is gold of the otter's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,— + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses— + And the dream of my bliss is betrayed.” + </pre> + <p> + Another day he was walking in the street and met Steingerd again. He + turned to her and prayed her to walk with him. She would not; whereupon he + laid hand on her, to lead her along. She cried out for help; and as it + happened, the king was standing not far off, and went up to them. He + thought this behaviour most unseemly, and took her away, speaking sharply + to Cormac. King Harald made himself very angry over this affair; but + Cormac was one of his courtiers, and it was not long before he got into + favour again, and then things went fair and softly for the rest of the + winter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. How They Cruised With The King's Fleet, And + Quarrelled, And Made It Up. + </h2> + <p> + In the following spring King Harald set forth to the land of Permia with a + great host. Cormac was one of the captains in that warfaring, and in + another ship was Thorvald: the other captains of ships are not named in + our story. + </p> + <p> + Now as they were all sailing in close order through a narrow sound, Cormac + swung his steering-oar and hit Thorvald a clout on the ear, so that he + fell from his place at the helm in a swoon; and Cormac's ship hove to, + when she lost her rudder. Steingerd had been sitting beside Thorvald; she + laid hold of the tiller, and ran Cormac down. When he saw what she was + doing, he sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (78) + “There is one that is nearer and nigher + To the noblest of dames than her lover: + With the haft of the helm is he smitten + On the hat-block—and fairly amidships! + The false heir of Eystein—he falters— + He falls in the poop of his galley! + Nay! steer not upon me, O Steingerd, + Though stoutly ye carry the day!” + </pre> + <p> + So Cormac's ship capsized under him; but his crew were saved without loss + of time, for there were plenty of people round about. Thorvald soon came + round again, and they all went on their way. The king offered to settle + the matter between them; and when they both agreed, he gave judgment that + Thorvald's hurt was atoned for by Cormac's upset. + </p> + <p> + In the evening they went ashore; and the king and his men sat down to + supper. Cormac was sitting outside the door of a tent, drinking out of the + same cup with Steingerd. While they were busy at it, a young fellow for + mere sport and mockery stole the brooch out of Cormac's fur cloak, which + he had doffed and laid aside; and when he came to take his cloak again, + the brooch was gone. He sprang up and rushed after the young fellow, with + the spear that he called Vigr (the spear) and shot at him, but missed. + This was the song he made about it:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (79) + “The youngster has pilfered my pin, + As I pledged the gay dame in the beaker; + And now must we brawl for a brooch + Like boys when they wrangle and tussle. + Right well have I shafted my spear, + Though I shot nothing more than the gravel: + But sure, if I missed at my man, + The moss has been prettily slaughtered!” + </pre> + <p> + After this they went on their way to the land of Permia, and after that + they went home again to Norway. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. How Cormac Saved Steingerd Once More From Pirates; And + How They Parted For Good And All. + </h2> + <p> + Thorvald the Tinker fitted out his ship for a cruise to Denmark, and + Steingerd sailed with him. A little afterwards the brothers set out on the + same voyage, and late one evening they made the Brenneyjar. + </p> + <p> + There they saw Thorvald's ship riding, and found him aboard with part of + his crew; but they had been robbed of all their goods, and Steingerd had + been carried off by Vikings. Now the leader of those Vikings was + Thorstein, the son of that Asmund Ashenside, the old enemy of Ogmund, the + father of Cormac and Thorgils. + </p> + <p> + So Thorvald and Cormac met, and Cormac asked how came it that his voyage + had been so unlucky. + </p> + <p> + “Things have not turned out for the best, indeed,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” asked Cormac. “Is Steingerd missing?” + </p> + <p> + “She is gone,” said Thorvald, “and all our goods.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you go after her?” asked Cormac. + </p> + <p> + “We are not strong enough,” said Thorvald. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say you can't?” said Cormac. + </p> + <p> + “We have not the means to fight Thorstein,” said Thorvald. “But if thou + hast, go in and fight for thy own hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Cormac. + </p> + <p> + So at nightfall the brothers went in a boat and rowed to the Viking fleet, + and boarded Thorstein's ship. Steingerd was in the cabin on the poop; she + had been allotted to one of the Vikings; but most of the crew were ashore + round the cooking-fires. Cormac got the story out of the men who were + cooking, and they told all the brothers wanted to know. They clambered on + board by the ladder; Thorgils dragged the bridegroom out to the gunwale, + and Cormac cut him down then and there. Then he dived into the sea with + Steingerd and swam ashore; but when he was nearing the land a swarm of + eels twisted round his hands and feet, so that he was dragged under. On + which he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (80) + “They came at me yonder in crowds, + O kemp of the shield-serpents' wrangle! + When I fared on my way through the flood, + That flock of the wights of the water. + And ne'er to the gate of the gods + Had I got me, if there had I perished; + Yet once and again have I won, + Little woman, thy safety in peril!” + </pre> + <p> + So he swam ashore and brought Steingerd back to her husband. + </p> + <p> + Thorvald bade Steingerd to go, at last, along with Cormac, for he had + fairly won her, and manfully. That was what he, too, desired, said Cormac; + but “Nay,” said Steingerd, “she would not change knives.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Cormac, “it was plain that this was not to be. Evil beings,” + he said, “ill luck, had parted them long ago.” And he made this song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (81) + “Nay, count not the comfort had brought me, + Fair queen of the ring, thy embrace! + Go, mate with the man of thy choosing, + Scant mirth will he get of thy grace! + Be dearer henceforth to thy dastard, + False dame of the coif, than to me;— + I have spoken the word; I have sung it;— + I have said my last farewell to thee.” + </pre> + <p> + And so he bade her begone with her husband. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. The Swan-Songs of Cormac. + </h2> + <p> + After these things the brothers turned back to Norway, and Thorvald the + Tinker made his way to Iceland. But the brothers went warfaring round + about Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland, and they were reckoned to be + the most famous of men. It was they who first built the castle of + Scarborough; they made raids into Scotland, and achieved many great feats, + and led a mighty host; and in all that host none was like Cormac in + strength and courage. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time, after a battle, Cormac was driving the flying foe before + him while the rest of his host had gone back aboard ship. Out of the woods + there rushed against him one as monstrous big as an idol—a Scot; and + a fierce struggle began. Cormac felt for his sword, but it had slipped out + of the sheath; he was over-matched, for the giant was possessed; but yet + he reached out, caught his sword, and struck the giant his death-blow. + Then the giant cast his hands about Cormac, and gripped his sides so hard + that the ribs cracked, and he fell over, and the dead giant on top of him, + so that he could not stir. Far and wide his folk were looking for him, but + at last they found him and carried him aboard ship. Then he made this + song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (82) + “When my manhood was matched in embraces + With the might of yon horror, the strangler, + Far other I found it than folding + That fair one ye know in my arms! + On the high-seat of heroes with Odin + From the horn of the gods I were drinking + O'er soon—let me speak it to warriors— + If Skrymir had failed of his aid.” + </pre> + <p> + Then his wounds were looked to; they found that his ribs were broken on + both sides. He said it was no use trying to heal him, and lay there in his + wounds for a time, while his men grieved that he should have been so + unwary of his life. + </p> + <p> + He answered them in song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (83) + “Of yore never once did I ween it, + When I wielded the cleaver of targets, + That sickness was fated to foil me— + A fighter so hardy as I. + But I shrink not, for others must share it, + Stout shafts of the spear though they deem them, + —O hard at my heart is the death-pang,— + Thus hopeless the bravest may die.” + </pre> + <p> + And this song also:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (84) + “He came not with me in the morning, + Thy mate, O thou fairest of women, + When we reddened for booty the broadsword, + So brave to the hand-grip, in Ireland: + When the sword from its scabbard was loosened + And sang round my cheeks in the battle + For the feast of the Fury, and blood-drops + Fell hot on the neb of the raven.” + </pre> + <p> + And then he began to fail. + </p> + <p> + This was his last song:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (85) + “There was dew from the wound smitten deeply + That drained from the stroke of the sword-edge; + There was red on the weapon I wielded + In the war with the glorious and gallant: + Yet not where the broadsword,—the blood wand,— + Was borne by the lords of the falchion, + But low in the straw like a laggard, + O my lady, dishonoured I die!” + </pre> + <p> + He said that his will was to give Thorgils his brother all he had,—the + goods he owned and the host he led; for he would like best, he said, that + his brother should have the use of them. + </p> + <p> + So then Cormac died. Thorgils became captain over the host, and was long + time in viking. + </p> + <p> + And so ends the story. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + +***** This file should be named 265-h.htm or 265-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/265/ + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald + Anonymous Icelandic Epic, 1250-1300 A.D., Although Parts + may be Based on a now Lost 12th Century Saga + +Author: Unknown + +Translator: W.G. Collingwood and J. Stefansson + +Release Date: July 3, 2008 [EBook #265] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + + + + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings + + + + + +LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC THE SKALD + +By Unknown Author + + +Originally written in Icelandic sometime between 1250 - 1300 A.D. +although parts may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. + +Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). + + + + + +CHAPTER ONE. Cormac's Fore-Elders. + +Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There was a +chief in the kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; one of the +Vik-folk by kindred, a great man of high birth. He was the mightiest of +champions, and had been with King Harald in many battles. + +He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy even as a +child; who when he was grown of age and come to his full strength, took +to sea-roving in summer and served in the king's household in winter. So +he earned for himself a good name and great riches. + +One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he fell in +with a man named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great champion and had +worsted many vikings and men of war. These two heard tell of one another +and challenges passed between them. They came together and fought. +Asmund had the greater following, but he withheld some of his men from +the battle: and so for the length of four days they fought, until many +of Asmund's people were fallen, and at last he himself fled. Ogmund won +the victory and came home again with wealth and worship. + +His father said that he could get no greater glory in war,--"And now," +said he, "I will find thee a wife. What sayest thou to Helga, daughter +of Earl Frodi?" + +"So be it," said Ogmund. + +Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed with all +honour. They made known their errand, and he took it kindly, although +he feared that the fight with Asmund was likely to bring trouble. +Nevertheless this match was made, and then they went their ways home. +A feast was got ready for the wedding and to that feast a very great +company came together. + +Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise woman, and +she went with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of this marriage, and set +out to meet Ogmund. He bade him fight, and Ogmund agreed. + +Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she did with +Ogmund before he set out from home, and told him that he would not be +hurt much. + +Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking laid +bare his side, but the sword would not bite upon it. Then Ogmund whirled +about his sword swiftly and shifted it from hand to hand, and hewed +Asmund's leg from under him: and three marks of gold he took to let him +go with his life. + + + + +CHAPTER TWO. How Cormac Was Born and Bred. + +About this time King Harald Fairhair died, and Eric Bloodaxe reigned in +his stead. Ogmund would have no friendship with Eric, nor with Gunnhild, +and made ready his ship for Iceland. + +Nor Ogmund and Helga had a son called Frodi: but when the ship was +nearly ready, Helga took a sickness and died; and so did their son +Frodi. + +After that, they sailed to sea. When they were near the land, Ogmund +cast overboard his high-seat-pillars; and where the high-seat-pillars +had already been washed ashore, there they cast anchor, and landed in +Midfiord. + +At this time Skeggi of Midfiord ruled the countryside. He came riding +toward them and bade them welcome into the firth, and gave them the +pick of the land: which Ogmund took, and began to mark out ground for +a house. Now it was a belief of theirs that as the measuring went, so +would the luck go: if the measuring-wand seemed to grow less when they +tried it again and again, so would that house's luck grow less: and if +it grew greater, so would the luck be. This time the measure always grew +less, though they tried it three times over. + +So Ogmund built him a house on the sandhills, and lived there ever +after. He married Dalla, the daughter of Onund the Seer, and their sons +were Thorgils and Cormac. Cormac was dark-haired, with a curly lock upon +his forehead: he was bright of blee and somewhat like his mother, big +and strong, and his mood was rash and hasty. Thorgils was quiet and easy +to deal with. + +When the brothers were grown up, Ogmund died; and Dalla kept house with +her sons. Thorgils worked the farm, under the eye of Midfiord-Skeggi. + + + + +CHAPTER THREE. How Cormac Fell In Love. + +There was a man named Thorkel lived at Tunga (Tongue). He was a wedded +man, and had a daughter called Steingerd who was fostered in Gnupsdal +(Knipedale). + +Now it was one autumn that a whale came ashore at Vatnsnes (Watsness), +and it belonged to the brothers, Dalla's sons. Thorgils asked Cormac +would he rather go shepherding on the fell, or work at the whale. He +chose to fare on the fell with the house-carles. + +Tosti, the foreman, it was should be master of the sheep-gathering: so +he and Cormac went together until they came to Gnupsdal. It was night: +there was a great hall, and fires for men to sit at. + +That evening Steingerd came out of her bower, and a maid with her. Said +the maid, "Steingerd mine, let us look at the guests." + +"Nay," she said, "no need": and yet went to the door, and stepped on the +threshold, and spied across the gate. Now there was a space between the +wicker and the threshold, and her feet showed through. Cormac saw that, +and made this song:-- + + (1) + "At the door of my soul she is standing, + So sweet in the gleam of her garment: + Her footfall awakens a fury, + A fierceness of love that I knew not, + Those feet of a wench in her wimple, + Their weird is my sorrow and troubling, + --Or naught may my knowledge avail me-- + Both now and for aye to endure." + +Then Steingerd knew she was seen. She turned aside into a corner +where the likeness of Hagbard was carved on the wall, and peeped under +Hagbard's beard. Then the firelight shone upon her face. + +"Cormac," said Tosti, "seest eyes out yonder by that head of Hagbard?" + +Cormac answered in song:-- + + (2) + "There breaks on me, burning upon me, + A blaze from the cheeks of a maiden, + --I laugh not to look on the vision-- + In the light of the hall by the doorway. + So sweet and so slender I deem her, + Though I spy bug a glimpse of an ankle + By the threshold:--and through me there flashes + A thrill that shall age never more." + +And then he made another song:-- + + (3) + "The moon of her brow, it is beaming + 'Neath the bright-litten heaven of her forehead: + So she gleams in her white robe, and gazes + With a glance that is keen as the falcon's. + But the star that is shining upon me + What spell shall it work by its witchcraft? + Ah, that moon of her brow shall be mighty + With mischief to her--and to me?" + +Said Tosti, "She is fairly staring at thee!"--And he answered:-- + + (4) + "She's a ring-bedight oak of the ale-cup, + And her eyes never left me unhaunted. + The strife in my heart I could hide not, + For I hold myself bound in her bondage. + O gay in her necklet, and gainer + In the game that wins hearts on her chessboard,-- + When she looked at me long from the doorway + Where the likeness of Hagbard is carved." + +Then the girls went into the hall, and sat down. He heard what they said +about his looks,--the maid, that he was black and ugly, and Steingerd, +that he was handsome and everyway as best could be,--"There is only +one blemish," said she, "his hair is tufted on his forehead:"--and he +said:-- + + (5) + "One flaw in my features she noted + --With the flame of the wave she was gleaming + All white in the wane of the twilight-- + And that one was no hideous blemish. + So highborn, so haughty a lady + --I should have such a dame to befriend me: + But she trows me uncouth for a trifle, + For a tuft in the hair on my brow!" + +Said the maid, "Black are his eyes, sister, and that becomes him not." +Cormac heard her, and said in verse:-- + + (6) + "Yes, black are the eyes that I bring ye, + O brave in your jewels, and dainty. + But a draggle-tail, dirty-foot slattern + Would dub me ill-favoured and sallow. + Nay, many a maiden has loved me, + Thou may of the glittering armlet: + For I've tricks of the tongue to beguile them + And turn them from handsomer lads." + +At this house they spent the night. In the morning when Cormac rose up, +he went to a trough and washed himself; then he went into the ladies' +bower and saw nobody there, but heard folk talking in the inner room, +and he turned and entered. There was Steingerd, and women with her. + +Said the maid to Steingerd, "There comes thy bonny man, Steingerd." + +"Well, and a fine-looking lad he is," said she. + +Now she was combing her hair, and Cormac asked her, "Wilt thou give me +leave?" + +She reached out her comb for him to handle it. She had the finest hair +of any woman. Said the maid, "Ye would give a deal for a wife with hair +like Steingerd's, or such eyes!" + +He answered:-- + + (7) + "One eye of the far of the ale-horn + Looking out of a form so bewitching, + Would a bridegroom count money to buy it + He must bring for it ransom three hundred. + The curls that she combs of a morning, + White-clothed in fair linen and spotless, + They enhance the bright hoard of her value,-- + Five hundred might barely redeem them!" + +Said the maid, "It's give and take with the two of ye! But thou'lt put a +big price upon the whole of her!" He answered:-- + + (8) + "The tree of my treasure and longing, + It would take this whole Iceland to win her: + She is dearer than far-away Denmark, + And the doughty domain of the Hun-folk. + With the gold she is combing, I count her + More costly than England could ransom: + So witty, so wealthy, my lady + Is worth them,--and Ireland beside!" + +Then Tosti came in, and called Cormac out to some work or other; but he +said:-- + + (9) + "Take my swift-footed steel for thy tiding, + Ay, and stint not the lash to him, Tosti: + On the desolate downs ye may wander + And drive him along till he weary. + I care not o'er mountain and moorland + The murrey-brown weathers to follow,-- + Far liefer, I'd linger the morning + In long, cosy chatter with Steingerd." + +Tosti said he would find it a merrier game, and went off; so Cormac sat +down to chess, and right gay he was. Steingerd said he talked better +than folk told of; and he sat there all the day; and then he made this +song:-- + + (10) + "'Tis the dart that adorneth her tresses, + The deep, dewy grass of her forehead. + So kind to my keeping she gave it, + That good comb I shall ever remember! + A stranger was I when I sought her + --Sweet stem with the dragon's hoard shining--" + With gold like the sea-dazzle gleaming-- + The girl I shall never forget." + +Tosti came off the fell and they fared home. After that Cormac used to +go to Gnupsdal often to see Steingerd: and he asked his mother to make +him good clothes, so that Steingerd might like him the most that could +be. Dalla said there was a mighty great difference betwixt them, and it +was far from certain to end happily if Thorkel at Tunga got to know. + + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. How Cormac Liked Black-Puddings. + +Well Thorkel soon heard what was going forward, and thought it would +turn out to his own shame and his daughter's if Cormac would not pledge +himself to take her or leave her. So he sent for Steingerd, and she went +home. + +Thorkel had a man called Narfi, a noisy, foolish fellow, boastful, and +yet of little account. Said he to Thorkel, "If Cormac's coming likes +thee not, I can soon settle it." + +"Very well," says Thorkel. + +Now, in the autumn, Narfi's work it was to slaughter the sheep. Once, +when Cormac came to Tunga, he saw Steingerd in the kitchen. Narfi stood +by the kettle, and when they had finished the boiling, he took up a +black-pudding and thrust it under Cormac's nose, crying:-- + + (11) + "Cormac, how would ye relish one? + Kettle-worms I call them." + +To which he answered:-- + + (12) + "Black-puddings boiled, quoth Ogmund's son, + Are a dainty,--fair befall them!" + +And in the evening when Cormac made ready to go home he saw Narfi, and +bethought him of those churlish words. "I think, Narfi," said he, "I am +more like to knock thee down, than thou to rule my coming and going." +And with that struck him an axe-hammer-blow, saying:-- + + (13) + "Why foul with thy clowning and folly, + The food that is dressed for thy betters? + Thou blundering archer, what ails thee + To be aiming thy insults at me?" + +And he made another song about:-- + + (14) + "He asked me, the clavering cowherd + If I cared for--what was it he called them?-- + The worms of the kettle. I warrant + He'll be wiping his eyes by the hearth-stone. + I deem that yon knave of the dunghill + Who dabbles the muck on the meadow + --Yon rook in his mud-spattered raiment-- + Got a rap for his noise--like a dog." + + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. They Waylay Cormac: And The Witch Curses Him. + +There was a woman named Thorveig, and she knew a deal too much. She +lived at Steins-stadir (Stonestead) in Midfiord, and had two sons; the +elder was Odd, and the younger Gudmund. They were great braggarts both +of them. + +This Odd often came to see Thorkel at Tunga, and used to sit and +talk with Steingerd. Thorkel made a great show of friendship with the +brothers, and egged them on to waylay Cormac. Odd said it was no more +than he could do. + +So one day when Cormac came to Tunga, Steingerd was in the parlour and +sat on the dais. Thorveig's sons sat in the room, ready to fall upon him +when he came in; and Thorkel had put a drawn sword on one side of the +door, and on the other side Narfi had put a scythe in its shaft. When +Cormac came to the hall-door the scythe fell down and met the sword, and +broke a great notch in it. Out came Thorkel and began to upbraid Cormac +for a rascal, and got fairly wild with his talk: then flung into the +parlour and bade Steingerd out of it. Forth they went by another door, +and he locked her into an outhouse, saying that Cormac and she would +never meet again. + +Cormac went in: and he came quicker than folk thought for, and they were +taken aback. He looked about, and no Steingerd: but he saw the brothers +whetting their weapons: so he turned on his heel and went, saying:-- + + (14) + "The weapon that mows in the meadow + It met with the gay painted buckler, + When I came to encounter a goddess + Who carries the beaker of wine. + Beware! for I warn you of evil + When warriors threaten me mischief. + It shall not be for nought that I pour ye + The newly mixed mead of the gods." + +And when he could find Steingerd nowhere, he made this song:-- + + (15) + "She has gone, with the glitter of ocean + Agleam on her wrist and her bosom, + And my heart follows hard on her footsteps, + For the hall is in darkness without her. + I have gazed, but my glances can pierce not + The gloom of the desolate dwelling; + And fierce is my longing to find her, + The fair one who only can heal me." + +After a while he came to the outhouse where Steingerd was, and burst it +open and had talk with her. + +"This is madness," cried she, "to come talking with me; for Thorveig's +sons are meant to have thy head." + +But he answered:-- + + (16) + "There wait they within that would snare me; + There whet they their swords for my slaying. + My bane they shall be not, the cowards, + The brood of the churl and the carline. + Let the twain of them find me and fight me + In the field, without shelter to shield them, + And ewes of the sheep should be surer + To shorten the days of the wolf." + +So he sat there all day. By that time Thorkel saw that the plan he had +made was come to nothing; and he bade the sons of Thorveig waylay Cormac +in a dale near his garth. "Narfi shall go with ye two," said he; "but I +will stay at home, and bring you help if need be." + +In the evening Cormac set out, and when he came to the dale, he saw +three men, and said in verse:-- + + (17) + "There sit they in hiding to stay me + From the sight of my queen of the jewels: + But rude will their task be to reave me + From the roof of my bounteous lady. + The fainer the hatred they harbour + For him that is free of her doorway, + The fainer my love and my longing + For the lass that is sweeter than samphire." + +Then leaped up Thorveig's sons, and fought Cormac for a time: Narfi the +while skulked and dodged behind them. Thorkel saw from his house that +they were getting but slowly forward, and he took his weapons. In that +nick of time Steingerd came out and saw what her father meant. She laid +hold on his hands, and he got no nearer to help the brothers. In the end +Odd fell, and Gudmund was so wounded that he died afterwards. Thorkel +saw to them, and Cormac went home. + +A little after this Cormac went to Thorveig and said he would have her +no longer live there at the firth. "Thou shalt flit and go thy way at +such a time," said he, "and I will give no blood-money for thy sons." + +Thorveig answered, "It is like enough ye can hunt me out of the +countryside, and leave my sons unatoned. But this way I'll reward thee. +Never shalt thou have Steingerd." + +Said Cormac, "That's not for thee to make or to mar, thou wicked old +hag!" + + + + +CHAPTER SIX. Cormac Wins His Bride and Loses Her. + +After this, Cormac went to see Steingerd the same as ever: and once when +they talked over these doings she said no ill of them: whereupon he made +this song:-- + + (18) + "There sat they in hiding to slay me + From the sight of my bride and my darling: + But weak were the feet of my foemen + When we fought on the island of weapons. + And the rush of the mightiest rivers + Shall race from the shore to the mountains + Or ever I leave thee, my lady, + And the love that I feast on to-day!" + +"Say no such big words about it," answered she; "Many a thing may stand +in the road." + +Upon which he said:-- + + (19) + "O sweet in the sheen of thy raiment, + The sight of thy beauty is gladdening! + What man that goes marching to battle, + What mate wouldst thou choose to be thine?" + +And she answered:-- + + (20) + "O giver of gold, O ring-breaker, + If the gods and the high fates befriend me, + I'd pledge me to Frodi's blithe brother + And bind him that he should be mine." + +Then she told him to make friends with her father and get her in +marriage. So for her sake Cormac gave Thorkel good gifts. Afterwards +many people had their say in the matter; but in the end it came to +this,--that he asked for her, and she was pledged to him, and the +wedding was fixed: and so all was quiet for a while. + +Then they had words. There was some falling-out about settlements. It +came to such a pass that after everything was ready, Cormac began to +cool off. But the real reason was, that Thorveig had bewitched him so +that they should never have one another. + +Thorkel at Tunga had a grown-up son, called Thorkel and by-named +Tooth-gnasher. He had been abroad some time, but this summer he came +home and stayed with his father. + +Cormac never came to the wedding at the time it was fixed, and the hour +passed by. This the kinsfolk of Steingerd thought a slight, deeming that +he had broken off the match; and they had much talk about it. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. How Steingerd Was Married To Somebody Else. + +Bersi lived in the land of Saurbae, a rich man and a good fellow: he was +well to the fore, a fighter, and a champion at the holmgang. He had been +married to Finna the Fair: but she was dead: Asmund was their son, +young in years and early ripe. Helga was the sister of Bersi: she was +unmarried, but a fine woman and a pushing one, and she kept house for +Bersi after Finna died. + +At the farm called Muli (the Mull) lived Thord Arndisarson: he was +wedded to Thordis, sister of Bork the Stout. They had two sons who were +both younger than Asmund the son of Bersi. + +There was also a man with Vali. His farm was named Vali's stead, and it +stood on the way to Hrutafiord. + +Now Thorveig the spaewife went to see Holmgang Bersi and told him her +trouble. She said that Cormac forbade her staying in Midfiord: so Bersi +bought land for her west of the firth, and she lived there for a long +time afterwards. + +Once when Thorkel at Tunga and his son were talking about Cormac's +breach of faith and deemed that it should be avenged, Narfi said, "I see +a plan that will do. Let us go to the west-country with plenty of goods +and gear, and come to Bersi in Saurbae. He is wifeless. Let us entangle +him in the matter. He would be a great help to us." + +That counsel they took. They journeyed to Saurbae, and Bersi welcomed +them. In the evening they talked of nothing but weddings. Narfi up and +said there was no match so good as Steingerd,--"And a deal of folk say, +Bersi, that she would suit thee." + +"I have heard tell," he answered, "that there will be a rift in the +road, though the match is a good one." + +"If it's Cormac men fear," cried Narfi, "there is no need; for he is +clean out of the way." + +When Bersi heard that, he opened the matter to Thorkel Toothgnasher, and +asked for Steingerd. Thorkel made a good answer, and pledged his sister +to him. + +So they rode north, eighteen in all, for the wedding. There was a man +named Vigi lived at Holm, a big man and strong of his hands, a warlock, +and Bersi's kinsman. He went with them, and they thought he would be +a good helper. Thord Arndisarson too went north with Bersi, and many +others, all picked men. + +When they came to Thorkel's, they set about the wedding at once, so that +no news of it might get out through the countryside: but all this was +sore against Steingerd's will. + +Now Vigi the warlock knew every man's affairs who came to the steading +or left it. He sat outmost in the chamber, and slept by the hall door. + +Steingerd sent for Narfi, and when they met she said,--"I wish thee, +kinsman, to tell Cormac the business they are about: I wish thee to take +this message to him." + +So he set out secretly; but when he was a gone a little way Vigi came +after, and bade him creep home and hatch no plots. They went back +together, and so the night passed. + +Next morning Narfi started forth again; but before he had gone so far as +on the evening, Vigi beset him, and drove him back without mercy. + +When the wedding was ended they made ready for their journey. Steingerd +took her gold and jewels, and they rode towards Hrutafiord, going rather +slowly. When they were off, Narfi set out and came to Mel. Cormac was +building a wall, and hammering it with a mallet. Narfi rode up, with his +shield and sword, and carried on strangely, rolling his eyes about like +a hunted beast. Some men were up on the wall with Cormac when he came, +and his horse shied at them. Said Cormac,--"What news, Narfi? What folk +were with you last night?" + +"Small tidings, but we had guests enough," answered he. + +"Who were the guests?" + +"There was Holmgang Bersi, with seventeen more to sit at his wedding." + +"Who was the bride?" + +"Bersi wed Steingerd Thorkel's daughter," said Narfi. "When they were +gone she sent me here to tell thee the news." + +"Thou hast never a word but ill," said Cormac, and leapt upon him and +struck at the shield: and as it slipped aside he was smitten on the +breast and fell from his horse; and the horse ran away with the shield +(hanging to it). + +Cormac's brother Thorgils said this was too much. "It serves him right," +cried Cormac. And when Narfi woke out of his swoon they got speech of +him. + +Thorgils asked, "What manner of men were at the wedding?" + +Narfi told him. + +"Did Steingerd know this before?" + +"Not till the very evening they came," answered he; and then told of his +dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it easier to whistle +on Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand than to fight Bersi. +Then said Cormac:-- + + (21) + "Now see to thy safety henceforward, + And stick to thy horse and thy buckler; + Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee, + Will meet with thine ear of a surety. + Now say no more stories of feasting, + Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of, + Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan, + Thou that breakest the howes of the dead. + +Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. Her +kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble about that +business, however it might turn out; but her father and brother would be +answerable for the wedding. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride. + +Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear. + +"What now, brother?" asked Thorgils. + +He answered:-- + + (22) + "My bride, my betrothed has been stolen, + And Bersi the raider has robbed me. + I who offer the song-cup of Odin-- + Who else?--should be riding beside her. + She loved me--no lord of them better: + I have lost her--for me she is weeping: + The dear, dainty darling that kissed me, + For day upon day of delight." + +Said Thorgils, "A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home before +you catch him. And yet I will go with thee." + +Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his horse +forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made haste to +gather men,--they were eighteen in all,--and came up with Cormac on the +hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had foundered his horse. So they +turned to Thorveig the spaewife's farmsteading, and found that Bersi was +gone aboard her boat. + +She had said to Bersi, "I wish thee to take a little gift from me, and +good luck follow it." + +This was a target bound with iron; and she said she reckoned Bersi would +hardly be hurt if he carried it to shield him,--"but it is little worth +beside this steading thou hast given me." He thanked her for the gift, +and so they parted. Then she got men to scuttle all the boats on the +shore, because she knew beforehand that Cormac and his folk were coming. + +When they came and asked her for a boat, she said she would do them no +kindness without payment;--"Here is a rotten boat in the boathouse which +I would lend for half a mark." + +Thorgils said it would be in reason if she asked two ounces of silver. +Such matters, said Cormac, should not stand in the way; but Thorgils +said he would sooner ride all round the water-head. Nevertheless Cormac +had his will, and they started in the boat; but they had scarcely put +off from shore when it filled, and they had hard work to get back to the +same spot. + +"Thou shouldst pay dearly for this, thou wicked old hag," said Cormac, +"and never be paid at all." + +That was no mighty trick to play them, she said; and so Thorgils paid +her the silver; about which Cormac made this song:-- + + (23) + "I'm a tree that is tricked out in war-gear, + She, the trim rosy elf of the shuttle: + And I break into singing about her + Like the bat at the well, never ceasing. + With the dew-drops of Draupnir the golden + Full dearly folk buy them their blessings; + Then lay down three ounces and leave them + For the leaky old boat that we borrowed." + +Bersi got hastily to horse, and rode homewards; and when Cormac saw that +he must be left behind, he made this song:-- + + (24) + "I tell you, the goddess who glitters + With gold on the perch of the falcon, + The bride that I trusted, by beauty, + From the bield of my hand has been taken. + On the boat she makes glad in its gliding + She is gone from me, reft from me, ravished! + O shame, that we linger to save her, + Too sweet for the prey of the raven! + +They took their horses and rode round the head of the firth. They met +Vali and asked about Bersi; he said that Bersi had come to Muli and +gathered men to him,--"A many men." + +"Then we are too late," said Cormac, "if they have got men together." + +Thorgils begged Cormac to let them turn back, saying there was little +honour to be got; but Cormac said he must see Steingerd. + +So Vali went with them and they came to Muli where Bersi was and many +men with him. They spoke together. Cormac said that Bersi had betrayed +him in carrying off Steingerd, "But now we would take the lady with us, +and make him amends for his honour." + +To this said Thord Arndisarson, "We will offer terms to Cormac, but the +lady is in Bersi's hands." + +"There is no hope that Steingerd will go with you," said Bersi; "but +I offer my sister to Cormac in marriage, and I reckon he will be well +wedded if take Helga." + +"This is a good offer," said Thorgils; "let us think of it, brother." + +But Cormac started back like a restive horse. + + + + +CHAPTER NINE. Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords. + +There was a woman called Thordis--and a shrew she was--who lived at +Spakonufell (Spaequean's-fell), in Skagastrand. She, having foresight of +Cormac's goings, came that very day to Muli, and answered this matter on +his behalf, saying, "Never give him yon false woman. She is a fool, and +not fit for any pretty man. Woe will his mother be at such a fate for +her lad!" + +"Aroint thee, foul witch!" cried Thord. They should see, said he, that +Helga would turn out fine. But Cormac answered, "Said it may be, for +sooth it may be: I will never think of her." + +"Woe to us, then," said Thorgils, "for listening to the words of yon +fiend, and slighting this offer!" + +Then spoke Cormac, "I bid thee, Bersi, to the holmgang within half a +month, at Leidholm, in Middal." + +Bersi said he would come, but Cormac should be the worse for his choice. + +After this Cormac went about the steading to look for Steingerd. When he +found her he said she had betrayed him in marrying another man. + +"It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac," said she, "for this +was none of my doing." + +Then said he in verse:-- + + (25) + "Thou sayest my faith has been forfeit, + O fair in thy glittering raiment; + But I wearied my steed and outwore it, + And for what but the love that bare thee? + O fainer by far was I, lady, + To founder my horse in the hunting-- + Nay, I spared not the jade when I spurred it-- + Than to see thee the bride of my foe." + +After this Cormac and his men went home. When he told his mother how +things had gone, "Little good," she said, "will thy luck do us. Ye have +slighted a fine offer, and you have no chance against Bersi, for he is a +great fighter and he has good weapons." + +Now, Bersi owned the sword they call Whitting; a sharp sword it was, +with a life-stone to it; and that sword he had carried in many a fray. + +"Whether wilt thou have weapons to meet Whitting?" she asked. Cormac +said he would have an axe both great and keen. + +Dalla said he should see Skeggi of Midfiord and ask for the loan of his +sword, Skofnung. So Cormac went to Reykir and told Skeggi how matters +stood, asking him to lend Skofnung. Skeggi said he had no mind to lend +it. Skofnung and Cormac, said he, would never agree: "It is cold and +slow, and thou art hot and hasty." + +Cormac rode away and liked it ill. He came home to Mel and told +his mother that Skeggi would not lend the sword. Now Skeggi had the +oversight of Dalla's affairs, and they were great friends; so she said, +"He will lend the sword, though not all at once." + +That was not what he wanted, answered Cormac,--"If he withhold it not +from thee, while he does withhold it from me." Upon which she answered +that he was a thwart lad. + +A few days afterwards Dalla told him to go to Reykir. "He will lend thee +the sword now," said she. So he sought Skeggi and asked for Skofnung. + +"Hard wilt thou find it to handle," said Skeggi. "There is a pouch to +it, and that thou shalt let be. Sun must not shine on the pommel of the +hilt. Thou shalt not wear it until fighting is forward, and when ye come +to the field, sit all alone and then draw it. Hold the edge toward thee, +and blow on it. Then will a little worm creep from under the hilt. Then +slope thou the sword over, and make it easy for that worm to creep back +beneath the hilt." + +"Here's a tale of tricks, thou warlock!" cried Cormac + +"Nevertheless," answered Skeggi, "it will stand thee in good stead to +know them." + +So Cormac rode home and told his mother, saying that her will was of +great avail with Skeggi. He showed the sword, and tried to draw it, but +it would not leave the sheath. + +"Thou are over wilful, my son," said she. + +Then he set his feet against the hilts, and pulled until he tore the +pouch off, at which Skofnung creaked and groaned, but never came out of +the scabbard. + +Well, the time wore on, and the day came. He rode away with fifteen men; +Bersi also rode to the holm with as many. Cormac came there first, and +told Thorgils that he would sit apart by himself. So he sat down and +ungirt the sword. + +Now, he never heeded whether the sun shone upon the hilt, for he had +girt the sword on him outside his clothes. And when he tried to draw it +he could not, until he set his feet upon the hilts. Then the little worm +came, and was not rightly done by; and so the sword came groaning and +creaking out of the scabbard, and the good luck of it was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER TEN. The Fight On Leidarholm. + +After that Cormac went to his men. Bersi and his party had come by that +time, and many more to see the fight. + +Cormac took up Bersi's target and cut at it, and sparks flew out. + +Then a hide was taken and spread for them to stand on. Bersi spoke and +said, "Thou, Cormac, hast challenged me to the holmgang; instead of +that, I offer thee to fight in simple sword-play. Thou art a young man +and little tried; the holmgang needs craft and cunning, but sword-play, +man to man, is an easy game." + +Cormac answered, "I should fight no better even so. I will run the risk, +and stand on equal footing with thee, every way." + +"As thou wilt," said Bersi. + +It was the law of the holmgang that the hide should be five ells long, +with loops at its corners. Into these should be driven certain pins with +heads to them, called tjosnur. He who made it ready should go to the +pins in such a manner that he could see sky between his legs, holding +the lobes of his ears and speaking the forewords used in the rite called +"The Sacrifice of the tjosnur." Three squares should be marked round +the hide, each one foot broad. At the outermost corners of the squares +should be four poles, called hazels; when this is done, it is a hazelled +field. Each man should have three shields, and when they were cut up +he must get upon the hide if he had given way from it before, and guard +himself with his weapons alone thereafter. He who had been challenged +should strike the first stroke. If one was wounded so that blood fell +upon the hide, he should fight no longer. If either set one foot outside +the hazel poles "he went on his heel," they said; but he "ran" if both +feet were outside. His own man was to hold the shield before each of the +fighters. The one who was wounded should pay three marks of silver to be +set free. + +So the hide was taken and spread under their feet. Thorgils held his +brother's shield, and Thord Arndisarson that of Bersi. Bersi struck the +first blow, and cleft Cormac's shield; Cormac struck at Bersi to the +like peril. Each of them cut up and spoilt three shields of the +other's. Then it was Cormac's turn. He struck at Bersi, who parried with +Whitting. Skofnung cut the point off Whitting in front of the ridge. The +sword-point flew upon Cormac's hand, and he was wounded in the thumb. +The joint was cleft, and blood dropped upon the hide. Thereupon folk +went between them and stayed the fight. + +Then said Cormac, "This is a mean victory that Bersi has gained; it is +only from my bad luck; and yet we must part." + +He flung down his sword, and it met Bersi's target. A shard was broken +out of Skofnung, and fire flew out of Thorveig's gift. + +Bersi asked the money for release, Cormac said it would be paid; and so +they parted. + + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. The Songs That Were Made About The Fight. + +Steinar was the name of a man who was the son of Onund the Seer, and +brother of Dalla, Cormac's mother. He was an unpeaceful man, and lived +at Ellidi. + +Thither rode Cormac from the holme, to see his kinsman, and told him +of the fight, at which he was but ill pleased. Cormac said he meant to +leave the country,--"And I want thee to take the money to Bersi." + +"Thou art no bold man," said Steinar, "but the money shall be paid if +need be." + +Cormac was there some nights; his hand swelled much, for it was not +dressed. + +After that meeting, Holmgang Bersi went to see his brother. Folk asked +how the holmgang had gone, and when he told them they said that two bold +men had struck small blows, and he had gained the victory only through +Cormac's mishap. When Bersi met Steingerd, and she asked how it went, he +made this verse:-- + + (26) + "They call him, and truly they tell it, + A tree of the helmet right noble: + But the master of manhood must bring me + Three marks for his ransom and rescue. + Though stout in the storm of the bucklers + In the stress of the Valkyrie's tempest + He will bid me no more to the battle, + For the best of the struggle was ours." + +Steinar and Cormac rode from Ellidi and passed through Saurbae. They saw +men riding towards them, and yonder came Bersi. He greeted Cormac and +asked how the wound was getting on. Cormac said it needed little to be +healed. + +"Wilt thou let me heal thee?" said Bersi; "though from me thou didst get +it: and then it will be soon over." + +Cormac said nay, for he meant to be his lifelong foe. Then answered +Bersi:-- + + (27) + "Thou wilt mind thee for many a season + How we met in the high voice of Hilda. + Right fain I go forth to the spear-mote + Being fitted for every encounter. + There Cormac's gay shield from his clutches + I clave with the bane of the bucklers, + For he scorned in the battle to seek me + If we set not the lists of the holmgang." + +Thus they parted; and then Cormac went home to Mel and saw his mother. +She healed his hand; it had become ugly and healed badly. The notch in +Skofnung they whetted, but the more they whetted the bigger it was. +So he went to Reykir, and flung Skofnung at Skeggi's feet, with this +verse:-- + + (28) + "I bring thee, thus broken and edgeless, + The blade that thou gavest me, Skeggi! + I warrant thy weapon could bite not: + I won not the fight by its witchcraft. + No gain of its virtue nor glory + I got in the strife of the weapons, + When we met for to mingle the sword-storm + For the maiden my singing adorns." + +Said Skeggi, "It went as I warned thee." Cormac flung forth and went +home to Mel: and when he met with Dalla he made this song:-- + + (29) + "To the field went I forth, O my mother + The flame of the armlet who guardest,-- + To dare the cave-dweller, my foeman + And I deemed I should smite him in battle. + But the brand that is bruited in story + It brake in my hand as I held it; + And this that should thrust men to slaughter + Is thwarted and let of its might. + + (30) + For I borrowed to bear in the fighting + No blunt-edged weapon of Skeggi: + There is strength in the serpent that quivers + By the side of the land of the girdle. + But vain was the virtue of Skofnung + When he vanquished the sharpness of Whitting; + And a shard have I shorn, to my sorrow, + From the shearer of ringleted mail. + + (31) + Yon tusker, my foe, wrought me trouble + When targe upon targe I had carven: + For the thin wand of slaughter was shattered + And it sundered the ground of my handgrip. + Loud bellowed the bear of the sea-king + When he brake from his lair in the scabbard, + At the hest of the singer, who seeketh + The sweet hidden draught of the gods. + + (32) + Afar must I fare, O my mother, + And a fate points the pathway before me, + For that white-wreathen tree may woo not + --Two wearisome morrows her outcast. + And it slays me, at home to be sitting, + So set is my heart on its goddess, + As a lawn with fair linen made lovely + --I can linger no third morrow's morn." + +After that, Cormac went one day to Reykir and talked with Skeggi, who +said the holmgang had been brought to scorn. Then answered Cormac:-- + + (33) + "Forget it, O Frey of the helmet, + --Lo, I frame thee a song in atonement-- + That the bringer of blood, even Skofnung, + I bare thee so strangely belated. + For by stirrers of storm was I wounded; + They smote me where perches the falcon: + But the blade that I borrowed, O Skeggi, + Was borne in the clashing of edges. + + (34) + I had deemed, O thou Grey of fighting, + Of the fierce song of Odin,--my neighbour, + I had deemed that a brand meet for bloodshed + I bare to the crossways of slaughter. + Nay,--thy glaive, it would gape not nor ravin + Against him, the rover who robbed me: + And on her, as the surge on the shingle, + My soul beats and breaks evermore." + + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. Bersi's Bad Luck At The Thor's-Ness Thing. + +In the winter, sports were held at Saurbae. Bersi's lad, Asmund, was +there, and likewise the sons of Thord; but they were younger than he, +and nothing like so sturdy. When they wrestled Asmund took no heed +to stint his strength, and the sons of Thord often came home blue and +bleeding. Their mother Thordis was ill pleased, and asked her husband +would he give Bersi a hint to make it up on behalf of his son. Nay, +Thord answered, he was loath to do that. + +"Then I'll find my brother Bork," said she, "and it will be just as bad +in the end." + +Thord bade her do no such thing. "I would rather talk it over with him," +said he; and so, at her wish, he met Bersi, and hinted that some amends +were owing. + +Said Bersi, "Thou art far too greedy of getting, nowadays. This kind of +thing will end in losing thee thy good name. Thou wilt never want while +anything is to be got here." + +Thord went home, and there was a coolness between them while that winter +lasted. + +Spring slipped by, until it was time for the meeting at Thor's-ness. +By then, Bersi thought he saw through this claim of Thord's, and found +Thordis at the bottom of it. For all that, he made ready to go to the +Thing. By old use and wont these two neighbours should have gone riding +together; so Bersi set out and came to Muli, but when he got there Thord +was gone. + +"Well," said he, "Thord has broken old use and wont in awaiting me no +longer." + +"If breach there be," answered Thordis, "it is thy doing. This is +nothing to what we owe thee, and I doubt there will be more to follow." + +They had words. Bersi said that harm would come of her evil counsel; and +so they parted. + +When he left the house he said to his men, "Let us turn aside to the +shore and take a boat; it is a long way to ride round the waterhead." So +they took a boat--it was one of Thord's--and went their way. + +They came to the meeting when most other folks were already there, and +went to the tent of Olaf Peacock of Hjardarholt (Herdholt), for he was +Bersi's chief. It was crowded inside, and Bersi found no seat. He used +to sit next Thord, but that place was filled. In it there sat a big and +strong-looking man, with a bear-skin coat, and a hood that shaded his +face. Bersi stood a while before him, but the seat was not given up. He +asked the man for his name, and was told he might call him Bruin, or +he might call him Hoodie--which-ever he liked; whereupon he said in +verse:-- + + (35) + "Who sits in the seat of the warriors, + With the skin of the bear wrapped around him, + So wild in his look?--Ye have welcomed + A wolf to your table, good kinsfolk! + Ah, now may I know him, I reckon! + Doth he name himself Bruin, or Hoodie?-- + We shall meet once again in the morning, + And maybe he'll prove to be--Steinar." + +"And it's no use for thee to hide thy name, thou in the bearskin," said +he. + +"No more it is," he answered. "Steinar I am, and I have brought money +to pay thee for Cormac, if so be it is needed. But first I bid thee to +fight. It will have to be seen whether thou get the two marks of silver, +or whether thou lose them both." + +Upon which quoth Bersi:-- + + (36) + "They that waken the storm of the spear-points-- + For slaughter and strife they are famous-- + To the island they bid me for battle, + Nor bitter I think it nor woeful; + For long in that craft am I learned + To loosen the Valkyrie's tempest + In the lists, and I fear not to fight them-- + Unflinching in battle am I. + +"Well I wot, though," said he, "that ye and your gang mean to make away +with me. But I would let you know that I too have something to say about +it--something that will set down your swagger, maybe." + +"It is not thy death we are seeking," answered Steinar; "all we want is +to teach thee thy true place." + +Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and took up +his abode there. + +Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea. Said Steinar to +Bersi, "Wilt try a race with me, Bersi?" + +"I have given over swimming," said he, "and yet I'll try." + +Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out with +all his might. In so doing he showed a charm he wore round his neck. +Steinar swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with the bag it was in, +and threw them both into the water, saying in verse:-- + + (37) + "Long I've lived, + And I've let the gods guide me; + Brown hose I never wore + To bring the luck beside me. + I've never knit + All to keep me thriving + Round my neck a bag of worts, + --And lo! I'm living!" + +Upon that they struck out to land. + +But this turn that Steinar played was Thord's trick to make Bersi lose +his luck in the fight. And Thord went along the shore at low water and +found the luck-stone, and hid it away. + +Now Steinar had a sword that was called after Skrymir the giant: it was +never fouled, and no mishap followed it. On the day fixed, Thord and +Steinar went out of the tent, and Cormac also came to the meeting to +hold the shield of Steinar. Olaf Peacock got men to help Bersi at the +fight, for Thord had been used to hold his shield, but this time failed +him. So Bersi went to the trysting-place with a shield-bearer who is not +named in the story, and with the round target that once had belonged to +Thorveig. + +Each man was allowed three shields. Bersi cut up two, and then Cormac +took the third. Bersi hacked away, but Whitting his sword stuck fast +in the iron border of Steinar's shield. Cormac whirled it up just when +Steinar was striking out. He struck the shield-edge, and the sword +glanced off, slit Bersi's buttock, sliced his thigh down to the +knee-joint, and stuck in the bone. And so Bersi fell. + +"There!" cried Steinar, "Cormac's fine is paid." + +But Bersi leapt up, slashed at him, and clove his shield. The +sword-point was at Steinar's breast when Thord rushed forth and dragged +him away, out of reach. + +"There!" cried Thord to Bersi, "I have paid thee for the mauling of my +sons." + +So Bersi was carried to the tent, and his wound was dressed. After a +while, Thord came in; and when Bersi saw him he said:-- + + (38) + "When the wolf of the war-god was howling + Erstwhile in the north, thou didst aid me: + When it gaped in my hand, and it girded + At the Valkyries' gate for to enter. + But now wilt thou never, O warrior, + At need in the storm-cloud of Odin + Give me help in the tempest of targes + --Untrusty, unfaithful art thou. + + (39) + "For when I was a stripling I showed me + To the stems of the lightning of battle + Right meet for the mist of the war-maids; + --Ah me! that was said long ago. + But now, and I may not deny it + My neighbours in earth must entomb me, + At the spot I have sought for grave-mound + Where Saurbae lies level and green." + +Said Thord, "I have no wish for thy death; but I own it is no sorrow to +see thee down for once." + +To which Bersi answered in song:-- + + (40) + "The friend that I trusted has failed me + In the fight, and my hope is departed: + I speak what I know of; and note it, + Ye nobles,--I tell ye no leasing. + Lo, the raven is ready for carnage, + But rare are the friends who should succour. + Yet still let them scorn me and threaten, + I shrink not, I am not dismayed." + +After this, Bersi was taken home to Saurbae, and lay long in his wounds. + +But when he was carried into the tent, at that very moment Steinar spoke +thus to Cormac:-- + + (41) + "Of the reapers in harvest of Hilda + --Thou hast heard of it--four men and eight men + With the edges of Skrymir to aid me + I have urged to their flight from the battle. + Now the singer, the steward of Odin, + Hath smitten at last even Bersi + With the flame of the weapon that feedeth + The flocks of the carrion crows." + +"I would have thee keep Skrymir now for thy own, Cormac," said he, +"because I mean this fight to be my last." + +After that, they parted in friendly wise: Steinar went home, and Cormac +fared to Mel. + + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Steingerd Leaves Bersi. + +Next it is told of Bersi. His wound healed but slowly. Once on a time a +many folk were met to talk about that meeting and what came of it, and +Bersi made this song:-- + + (42) + "Thou didst leave me forlorn to the sword-stroke, + Strong lord of the field of the serpent! + And needy and fallen ye find me, + Since my foeman ye shielded from danger. + Thus cunning and counsel are victors, + When the craft of the spear-shaft avails not; + But this, as I think, is the ending, + O Thord, of our friendship for ever!" + +A while later Thord came to his bedside and brought back the luck-stone; +and with it he healed Bersi, and they took to their friendship again and +held it unbroken ever after. + +Because of these happenings, Steingerd fell into loathing of Bersi and +made up her mind to part with him; and when she had got everything +ready for going away she went to him and said:--"First ye were called +Eygla's-Bersi, and then Holmgang-Bersi, but now your right name will be +Breech-Bersi!" and spoke her divorce from him. + +She went north to her kinsfolk, and meeting with her brother Thorkel she +bade him seek her goods again from Bersi--her pin-money and her dowry, +saying that she would not own him now that he was maimed. Thorkel +Toothgnasher never blamed her for that, and agreed to undertake her +errand; but the winter slipped by and his going was put off. + + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The Bane Of Thorkel Toothgnasher. + +Afterwards, in the spring, Thorkel Toothgnasher set out to find Bersi +and to seek Steingerd's goods again. Bersi said that his burden was +heavy enough to bear, even though both together underwent the weight of +it. "And I shall not pay the money!" said he. + +Said Thorkel, "I bid thee to the holmgang at Orrestholm beside Tjaldanes +(Tentness)." + +"That ye will think hardly worth while," said Bersi, "such a champion as +you are; and yet I undertake for to come." + +So they came to the holme and fell to the holmgang. Thord carried the +shield before Bersi, and Vali was Thorkel's shield-bearer. When two +shields had been hacked to splinters, Bersi bade Thorkel take the third; +but he would not. Bersi still had a shield, and a sword that was long +and sharp. + +Said Thorkel, "The sword ye have, Bersi, is longer than lawful." + +"That shall not be," cried Bersi; and took up his other sword, Whitting, +two-handed, and smote Thorkel his deathblow. Then sang he:-- + + (43) + "I have smitten Toothgnasher and slain him, + And I smile at the pride of his boasting. + One more to my thirty I muster, + And, men! say ye this of the battle:-- + In the world not a lustier liveth + Among lords of the steed of the oar-bench; + Though by eld of my strength am I stinted + To stain the black wound-bird with blood." + +After these things Vali bade Bersi to the holmgang, but he answered in +this song:-- + + (44) + "They that waken the war of the mail-coats, + For warfare and manslaying famous, + To the lists they have bid me to battle, + Nor bitter I think it not woeful. + It is sport for yon swordsmen who goad me + To strive in the Valkyries' tempest + On the holme; but I fear not to fight them-- + Unflinching in battle am I!" + +The were even about to begin fighting, when Thord came and spoke to them +saying:--"Woeful waste of life I call it, if brave men shall be smitten +down for the sake of any such matters. I am ready to make it up between +ye two." + +To this they agreed, and he said:--"Vali, this methinks is the most +likely way of bringing you together. Let Bersi take thy sister Thordis +to wife. It is a match that may well be to thy worship." + +Bersi agreed to this, and it was settled that the land of Brekka should +go along with her as a dowry; and so this troth was plighted between +them. Bersi afterwards had a strong stone wall built around his +homestead, and sat there for many winters in peace. + + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. The Rescue Of Steinvor Slim-ankles. + +There was a man named Thorarin Alfsson, who lived in the north at +Thambardal; that is a dale which goes up from the fiord called Bitra. +He was a big man and mighty, and he was by-named Thorarin the Strong. He +had spent much of his time in seafaring (as a chapman) and so lucky was +he that he always made the harbour he aimed at. + +He had three sons; one was named Alf, the next Loft, and the third +Skofti. Thorarin was a most overbearing man, and his sons took after +him. They were rough, noisy fellows. + +Not far away, at Tunga (Tongue) in Bitra, lived a man called Odd. His +daughter was named Steinvor, a pretty girl and well set up; her by-name +was Slim-ankles. Living with Odd were many fisherman; among them, +staying there for the fishing-season, was one Glum, an ill-tempered +carle and bad to deal with. + +Now once upon a time these two, Odd and Glum, were in talk together +which were the greatest men in the countryside. Glum reckoned Thorarin +to be foremost, but Odd said Holmgang Bersi was better than he in every +way. + +"How can ye make that out?" asked Glum. + +"Is there any likeness whatever," said Odd, "between the bravery of +Bersi and the knavery of Thorarin?" + +So they talked about this until they fell out, and laid a wager upon it. + +Then Glum wend and told Thorarin. He grew very angry and made many a +threat against Odd. And in a while he went and carried off Steinvor +from Tunga, all to spite her father; and he gave out that if Odd +said anything against it, the worse for him: and so took her home to +Thambardal. + +Things went on so for a while, and then Odd went to see Holmgang Bersi, +and told him what had happened. He asked him for help to get Steinvor +back and to wreak vengeance for that shame. Bersi answered that such +words had been better unsaid, and bade him go home and take no share in +the business. "But yet," added he, "I promise that I will see to it." + +No sooner was Odd gone than Bersi made ready to go from home. He rode +fully armed, with Whitting at his belt, and three spears; he came to +Thambardal when the day was far spent and the women were coming out +of the bower. Steinvor saw him and turning to meet him told of her +unhappiness. + +"Make ready to go with me," said he; and that she did. + +He would not go to Thambardal for nothing, he said; and so he turned to +the door where men were sitting by long fires. He knocked at the door, +and out there came a man--his name was Thorleif. But Thorarin knew +Bersi's voice, and rushed forth with a great carving-knife and laid on +to him. Bersi was aware of it, and drew Whitting, and struck him his +death-blow. + +Then he leapt on horseback and set Steinvor on his knee and took his +spears which she had kept for him. He rode some way into the wood, where +in a hidden spot he left his horse and Steinvor, bidding her await him. +Then he went to a narrow gap through which the high-road ran, and there +made ready to stand against his foes. + +In Thambardal there was anything but peace. Thorleif ran to tell the +sons of Thorarin that he lay dead in the doorway. They asked who had +done the deed. He told them. Then they went after Bersi and steered the +shortest way to the gap, meaning to get there first; but by that time he +was already first at the gap. + +When they came near him, Bersi hurled a spear at Alf, and it went right +through him. Then Loft cast at Bersi, but he caught the spear on his +target and it dropped off. Then Bersi threw at Loft and killed him, and +so he did by Skofti. + +When all was over, the house-carles of the brothers came up. Thorleif +turned back to meet them, and they all went home together. + +After that Bersi went to find Steinvor, and mounted his horse. He came +home before men were out of bed. They asked him about his journey and +he told them. When Odd met him he asked about the fight and how it had +passed, and Bersi answered in this verse:-- + + (45) + "There was one fed the wolves has encountered + His weird in the dale of the Bowstring-- + Thorarin the Strong, 'neath the slayer + Lay slain by the might of my weapon. + And loss of their lives men abided + When Loft fell, and Alf fell, and Skofti. + They were four, yonder kinsmen, and fated-- + They were fey--and I met them, alone!" + +After that Odd went home, but Steinvor was with Bersi, though it +misliked Thordis, his wife. By this time his stone wall was some-what +broken down, but he had it built up again; and it is said that no +blood-money was ever paid for Thorarin and his sons. So the time went +on. + + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. How Vali Fell Before An Old Man And A Boy. + +Once on a day when Thordis and Bersi were talking together, said he, +"I have been thinking I might ask Olaf Peacock for a child of his to +foster." + +"Nay," said she, "I think little of that. It seems to me a great +trouble, and I doubt if folk will reckon more of us for it." + +"It means that I should have a sure friend," answered he. "I have many +foes, and I am growing heavy with age." + +So he went to see Olaf, and asked for a child to foster. Olaf took it +with thanks, and Bersi carried Halldor home with him and got Steinvor to +be nurse. This too misliked Thordis, and she laid hands on every penny +she could get (for fear it should go to Steinvor and the foster-child). + +At last Bersi took to ageing much. There was one time when men riding to +the Thing stayed at his house. He sat all by himself, and his food was +brought him before the rest were served. He had porridge while other +folk had cheese and curds. Then he made this verse:-- + + (46) + "To batten the black-feathered wound-bird + With the blade of my axe have I stricken + Full thirty and five of my foemen; + I am famed for the slaughter of warriors. + May the fiends have my soul if I stain not + My sharp-edged falchion once over! + And then let the breaker of broadswords + Be borne--and with speed--to the grave!" + +"What?" said Halldor; "hast thou a mind to kill another man, then?" + +Answered Bersi, "I see the man it would rightly serve!" + +Now Thordis let her brother Vali feed his herds on the land of Brekka. +Bersi bade his house-carles work at home, and have no dealings with +Vali; but still Halldor thought it a hardship that Bersi had not his own +will with his own wealth. One day Bersi made this verse:-- + + (47) + "Here we lie, + Both on one settle-- + Halldor and I, + Men of no mettle. + Youth ails thee, + But thou'lt win through it; + Age ails me, + And I must rue it!" + +"I do hate Vali," said Halldor; and Bersi answered thus in verse:-- + + (48) + "Yon Vali, so wight as he would be, + Well wot I our pasture he grazes; + Right fain yonder fierce helmet-wearer + Under foot my dead body would trample! + But often my wrongs have I wreaked + In wrath on the mail-coated warrior-- + On the stems of the sun of the ocean + I have stained the wound-serpent for less!" + +And again he said:-- + + (49) + "With eld I am listless and lamed-- + I, the lord of the gold of the armlet: + I sit, and am still under many + A slight from the warders of spear-meads. + Though shield-bearers shape for the singer + To shiver alone in the grave-mound, + Yet once in the war would I redden + The wand that hews helms ere I fail." + +"Thy heart is not growing old, foster-father mine!" cried Halldor. + +Upon that Bersi fell into talk with Steinvor, and said to her "I am +laying a plot, and I need thee to help me." + +She said she would if she could. + +"Pick a quarrel," said he, "with Thordis about the milk-kettle, and do +thou hold on to it until you whelm it over between you. Then I will come +in and take her part and give thee nought but bad words. Then go to Vali +and tell him how ill we treat thee." + +Everything turned out as he had planned. She went to Vali and told him +that things were no way smooth for her; would he take her over the gap +(to Bitra to her father's:) and so he did. + +But when he was on the way back again, out came Bersi and Halldor to +meet him. Bersi had a halberd in one hand and a staff in the other, and +Halldor had Whitting. As soon as Vali saw them he turned and hewed +at Bersi. Halldor came at his back and fleshed Whitting in his +hough-sinews. Thereupon he turned sharply and fell upon Halldor. +Then Bersi set the halberd-point betwixt his shoulders. That was his +death-wound. + +Then they set his shield at his feet and his sword at his head, and +spread his cloak over him; and after that got on horseback and rode to +five homesteads to make known the deed they had done and then rode home. +Men went and buried Vali, and the place where he fell has ever since +been called Vali's fall. + +Halldor was twelve winters old when these doings came to pass. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. How Steingerd Was Married Again. + +Now there was a man named Thorvald, the son of Eystein, bynamed +the Tinker: he was a wealthy man, a smith, and a skald; but he was +mean-spirited for all that. His brother Thorvard lived in the north +country at Fliot (Fleet); and they had many kinsmen,-- the Skidings they +were called,--but little luck or liking. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker asked Steingerd to wife. Her folk were for it, +and she said nothing against it; and so she was wed to him in the very +same summer in which she left Bersi. + +When Cormac heard the news he made as though he knew nothing whatever +about the matter; for a little earlier he had taken his goods aboard +ship, meaning to go away with his brother. But one morning early he rode +from the ship and went to see Steingerd; and when he got talk with her, +he asked would she make him a shirt. To which she answered that he had +no business to pay her visits; neither Thorvald nor his kinsmen would +abide it, she said, but have their revenge. + +Thereupon he made his voice:-- + + (50) + "Nay, think it or thole it I cannot, + That thou, a young fir of the forest + Enwreathed in the gold that thou guardest, + Shouldst be given to a tinkering tinsmith. + Nay, scarce can I smile, O thou glittering + In silk like the goddess of Baldur, + Since thy father handfasted and pledged thee, + So famed as thou art, to a coward." + +"In such words," answered Steingerd, "an ill will is plain to hear. I +shall tell Thorvald of this ribaldry: no man would sit still under such +insults." + +Then sang Cormac:-- + + (51) + "What gain is to get if he threatens, + White goddess in raiment of beauty, + The scorn that the Skidings may bear me? + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme you the roystering caitiffs + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for them if they loosen + The line of their fate that I ravel!" + +Thereupon they parted with no blitheness, and Cormac went to his ship. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Cormac's Voyage To Norway. + +The two brothers had but left the roadstead, when close beside their +ship, uprose a walrus. Cormac hurled at it a pole-staff, which struck +the beast, so that it sank again: but the men aboard thought that they +knew its eyes for the eyes of Thorveig the witch. That walrus came up +no more, but of Thorveig it was heard that she lay sick to death; and +indeed folk say that this was the end of her. + +Then they sailed out to sea, and at last came to Norway, where at that +time Hakon, the foster-son of Athelstan, was king. He made them welcome, +and so they stayed there the winter long with all honour. + +Next summer they set out to the wars, and did many great deeds. Along +with them went a man called Siegfried, a German of good birth; and they +made raids both far and wide. One day as they were gone up the country +eleven men together came against the two brothers, and set upon them; +but this business ended in their overcoming the whole eleven, and so +after a while back to their ship. The vikings had given them up for +lost, and fain were their folk when they came back with victory and +wealth. + +In this voyage the brothers got great renown: and late in the summer, +when winter was coming on, they made up their minds to steer for Norway. +They met with cold winds; the sail was behung with icicles, but the +brothers were always to the fore. It was on his voyage that Cormac made +the song:-- + + (52) + "O shake me yon rime from the awning; + Your singer's a-cold in his berth; + For the hills are all hooded, dear Skardi, + In the hoary white veil of the firth. + There's one they call Wielder of Thunder + I would were as chill and as cold; + But he leaves not the side of his lady + As the lindworm forsakes not its gold." + +"Always talking of her now!" said Thorgils; "and yet thou wouldst not +have her when thou couldst." + +"That was more the fault of witchcraft," answered Cormac, "that any want +of faith in me." + +Not long after they were sailing hard among crags, and shortened sail in +great danger. + +"It is a pity Thorvald Tinker is not with us here!" said Cormac. + +Said Thorgils with a smile, "Most likely he is better off than we, +to-day!" + +But before long they came to land in Norway. + + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home To +Iceland; And How He Met Steingerd Again. + +While they were abroad there had been a change of kings; Hakon was dead, +and Harald Greyfell reigned in his stead. They offered friendship to the +king, and he took their suit kindly; so they went with him to Ireland, +and fought battles there. + +Once upon a time when they had gone ashore with the king, a great host +came against him, and as the armies met, Cormac made this song:-- + + (53) + "I dread not a death from the foemen, + Though we dash at them, buckler to buckler, + While our prince in the power of his warriors + Is proud of me foremost in battle. + But the glimpse of a glory comes o'er me + Like the gleam of the moon on the skerry, + And I faint and I fail for my longing, + For the fair one at home in the North." + +"Ye never get into danger," said Thorgils, "but ye think of Steingerd!" + +"Nay," answered Cormac, "but it's not often I forget her." + +Well: this was a great battle, and king Harald won a glorious victory. +While his men drove the rout before him, the brothers were shoulder to +shoulder; and they fell upon nine men at once and fought them. And while +they were at it, Cormac sang:-- + + (54) + "Fight on, arrow-driver, undaunted, + And down with the foemen of Harald! + What are nine? they are nought! Thou and I, lad, + Are enough;--they are ours!--we have won them! + But--at home,--in the arms of an outlaw + That all the gods loathe for a monster, + So white and so winsome she nestles + --Yet once she was loving to me!" + +"It always comes down to that!" said Thorgils. When the fight was over, +the brothers had got the victory, and the nine men had fallen before +them; for which they won great praise from the king, and many honours +beside. + +But while they were ever with the king in his warfarings, Thorgils was +aware that Cormac was used to sleep but little; and he asked why this +might be. This was the song Cormac made in answer:-- + + (55) + "Surf on a rock-bound shore of the sea-king's blue domain-- + Look how it lashes the crags, hark how it thunders again! + But all the din of the isles that the Delver heaves in foam + In the draught of the undertow glides out to the sea-gods' + home. + Now, which of us two should test? Is it thou, with thy + heart at ease, + Or I that am surf on the shore in the tumult of angry seas? + --Drawn, if I sleep, to her that shines with the ocean- + gleam, + --Dashed, when I wake, to woe, for the want of my + glittering dream." + +"And now let me tell you this, brother," he went on. "Hereby I give out +that I am going back to Iceland." + +Said Thorgils, "There is many a snare set for thy feet, brother, to drag +thee down, I know not whither." + +But when the king heard of his longing to begone, he sent for Cormac, +and said that he did unwisely, and would hinder him from his journey. +But all this availed nothing, and aboard ship he went. + +At the outset they met with foul winds, so that they shipped great seas, +and the yard broke. Then Cormac sang:-- + + (56) + "I take it not ill, like the Tinker + If a trickster had foundered his muck-sled; + For he loves not rough travelling, the losel, + And loath would he be of this uproar. + I flinch not,--nay, hear it, ye fearless + Who flee not when arrows are raining,-- + Though the steeds of the ocean be storm-bound + And stayed in the harbour of Solund." + +So they pushed out to sea, and hard weather they tholed. Once on a time +when the waves broke over the deck and drenched them all, Cormac made +this song:-- + + (57) + "O the Tinker's a lout and a lubber, + And the life of a sailor he dares not, + When the snow-crested surges caress us + And sweep us away with their kisses, + He bides in a berth that is warmer, + Embraced in the arms of his lady; + And lightly she lulls him to slumber, + --But long she has reft me of rest!" + +They had a very rough voyage, but landed at last in Midfiord, and +anchored off shore. Looking landward they beheld where a lady was riding +by; and Cormac knew at once that it was Steingerd. He bade his men +launch a boat, and rowed ashore. He went quickly from the boat, and got +a horse, and rode to meet her. When they met, he leapt from horseback +and helped her to alight, making a seat for her beside him on the +ground. + +Their horses wandered away: the day passed on, and it began to grow +dark. At last Steingerd said, "It is time to look for our horses." + +Little search would be needed, said Cormac; but when he looked about, +they were nowhere in sight. As it happened, they were hidden in a gill +not far from where the two were sitting. + +So, as night was hard at hand, they set out to walk, and came to a +little farm, where they were taken in and treated well, even as they +needed. That night they slept each on either side of the carven wainscot +that parted bed from bed: and Cormac made this song:-- + + (58) + "We rest, O my beauty, my brightest, + But a barrier lies ever between us. + So fierce are the fates and so mighty + --I feel it--that rule to their rede. + Ah, nearer I would be, and nigher, + Till nought should be left to dispart us, + --The wielder of Skofnung the wonder, + And the wearer of sheen from the deep." + +"It was better thus," said Steingerd: but he sang:-- + + (59) + "We have slept 'neath one roof-tree--slept softly, + O sweet one, O queen of the mead-horn, + O glory of sea-dazzle gleaming, + These grim hours,--these five nights, I count them. + And here in the kettle-prow cabined + While the crow's day drags on in the darkness, + How loathly me seems to be lying, + How lonely,--so near and so far!" + +"That," said she, "is all over and done with; name it no more." But he +sang:-- + + (60) + "The hot stone shall float,--ay, the hearth-stone + Like a husk of the corn on the water, + --Ah, woe for the wight that she loves not!-- + And the world,--ah, she loathes me!--shall perish, + And the fells that are famed for their hugeness + Shall fail and be drowned in the ocean, + Or ever so gracious a goddess + Shall grow into beauty like Steingerd." + +Then Steingerd cried out that she would not have him make songs upon +her: but he went on:-- + + (61) + "I have known it and noted it clearly, + O neckleted fair one, in visions, + --Is it doom for my hopes,--is it daring + To dream?--O so oft have I seen it!-- + Even this,--that the boughs of thy beauty, + O braceleted fair one, shall twine them + Round the hill where the hawk loves to settle, + The hand of thy lover, at last." + +"That," said she, "never shall be, if I can help it. Thou didst let me +go, once for all; and there is no more hope for thee." + +So then they slept the night long; and in the morning, when Cormac was +making ready to be gone, he found Steingerd, and took the ring off his +finger to give her. + +"Fiend take thee and thy gold together!" she cried. And this is what he +answered:-- + + (62) + "To a dame in her broideries dainty + This drift of the furnace I tendered; + O day of ill luck, for a lover + So lured, and so heartlessly cheated! + Too blithe in the pride of her beauty-- + The bliss that I crave she denies me; + So rich that no boon can I render, + --And my ring she would hurl to the fiends!" + +So Cormac rode forth, being somewhat angry with Steingerd, but still +more so with the Tinker. He rode home to Mel, and stayed there all the +winter, taking lodgings for his chapmen near the ship. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. Of A Spiteful Song That Cormac Never Made; And How Angry +Steingerd Was. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker lived in the north-country at Svinadal +(Swindale), but his brother Thorvard at Fliot. In the winter Cormac took +his way northward to see Steingerd; and coming to Svinadal he dismounted +and went into the chamber. She was sitting on the dais, and he took his +seat beside her; Thorvald sat on the bench, and Narfi by him. + +Then said Narfi to Thorvald, "How canst thou sit down, with Cormac here? +It is no time, this, for sitting still!" + +But Thorvald answered, "I am content; there is no harm done it seems to +me, though they do talk together." + +"That is ill," said Narfi. + +Not long afterwards Thorvald met his brother Thorvard and told him about +Cormac's coming to his house. + +"Is it right, think you," said Thorvard, "to sit still while such things +happen?" + +He answered that there was no harm done as yet, but that Cormac's coming +pleased him not. + +"I'll mend that," cried Thorvard, "if you dare not. The shame of it +touches us all." + +So this was the next thing,--that Thorvard came to Svinadal, and the +Skiding brothers and Narfi paid a gangrel beggar-man to sing a song in +the hearing of Steingerd, and to say that Cormac had made it,--which was +a lie. They said that Cormac had taught this song to one called Eylaug, +a kinswoman of his; and these were the words:-- + + (63) + "I wish an old witch that I know of, + So wealthy and proud of her havings, + Were turned to a steed in the stable + --Called Steingerd--and I were the rider! + I'd bit her, and bridle, and saddle, + I'd back her and drive her and tame her; + So many she owns for her masters, + But mine she will never become!" + +Then Steingerd grew exceedingly angry, so that she would not so much as +hear Cormac named. When he heard that, he went to see her. Long time +he tried in vain to get speech with her; but at last she gave this +answer,--that she misliked his holding her up to shame,--"And now it is +all over the country-side!" + +Cormac said it was not true; but she answered, "Thou mightest flatly +deny it, if I had not heard it." + +"Who sang it in thy hearing?" asked he. + +She told him who sang it,--"And thou needest not hope for speech with me +if this prove true." + +He rode away to look for the rascal, and when he found him the truth +was forced out at last. Cormac was very angry, and set on Narfi and slew +him. That same onset was meant for Thorvald, but he hid himself in the +shadow and skulked, until men came between then and parted them. Said +Cormac:-- + + (64) + "There, hide in the house like a coward, + And hope not hereafter to scare me + With the scorn of thy brethren the Skidings,-- + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme on the swaggering rascals + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for you if ye loosen + The line of your fate that I ravel!" + +This went all over the country-side and the feud grew fiercer between +them. The brothers Thorvald and Thorvard used big words, and Cormac was +wroth when he heard them. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. How Thorvard Would Not Fight, But Tried To Get The +Law Of Cormac. + +After this Thorvard sent word from Fliot that he was fain to fight +Cormac, and he fixed time and place, saying that he would now take +revenge for that song of shame and all other slights. + +To this Cormac agreed; and when the day came he went to the spot that +was named, but Thorvard was not there, nor any of his men. Cormac met a +woman from the farm hard by, who greeted him, and they asked each other +for news. + +"What is your errand?" said she; "and why are you waiting here?" + +Then he answered with this song:-- + + (65) + "Too slow for the struggle I find him, + That spender of fire from the ocean, + Who flung me a challenge to fight him + From Fleet in the land of the North. + That half-witted hero should get him + A heart made of clay for his carcase, + Though the mate of the may with the necklace + Is more of a fool than his fere!" + +"Now," said Cormac, "I bid Thorvard anew to the holmgang, if he can +be called in his right mind. Let him be every man's nithing if he come +not!" and then he made this song:-- + + (66) + "The nithing shall silence me never, + Though now for their shame they attack me, + But the wit of the Skald is my weapon, + And the wine of the gods will uphold me. + And this they shall feel in its fulness; + Here my fame has its birth and beginning; + And the stout spears of battle shall see it, + If I 'scape from their hands with my life." + +Then the brothers set on foot a law-suit against him for libel. Cormac's +kinsmen backed him up to answer it, and he would let no terms be made, +saying that they deserved the shame put upon them, and no honour; he was +not unready to meet them, unless they played him false. Thorvard had +not come to the holmgang when he had been challenged, and therefore the +shame had fallen of itself upon him and his, and they must put up with +it. + +So time passed until the Huna-water Thing. Thorvard and Cormac both went +to the meeting, and once they came together. + +"Much enmity we owe thee," said Thorvard, "and in many ways. Now +therefore I challenge thee to the holmgang, here at the Thing." + +Said Cormac, "Wilt thou be fitter than before? Thou hast drawn back time +after time." + +"Nevertheless," said Thorvard, "I will risk it. We can abide thy spite +no longer." + +"Well," said Cormac, "I'll not stand in the way;" and went home to Mel. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. What The Witch Did For Them In Their Fights. + +At Spakonufell (Spae-wife's-fell) lived Thordis the spae-wife, of whom +we have told before, with her husband Thorolf. They were both at the +Thing, and many a man thought her good-will was of much avail. So +Thorvard sought her out, to ask her help against Cormac, and gave her a +fee; and she made him ready for the holmgang according to her craft. + +Now Cormac told his mother what was forward, and she asked if he thought +good would come of it. + +"Why not?" said he. + +"That will not be enough for thee," said Dalla. "Thorvard will never +make bold to fight without witchcraft to help him. I think it wise for +thee to see Thordis the spae-wife, for there is going to be foul play in +this affair." + +"It is little to my mind," said he; and yet went to see Thordis, and +asked her help. + +"Too late ye have come," said she. "No weapon will bite on him now. And +yet I would not refuse thee. Bide here to-night, and seek thy good luck. +Anyway, I can manage so that iron bite thee no more than him." + +So Cormac stayed there for the night; and, awaking, found that some one +was groping round the coverlet at his head. "Who is there?" he asked, +but whoever it was made off, and out at the house-door, and Cormac +after. And then he saw it was Thordis, and she was going to the place +where the fight was to be, carrying a goose under her arm. + +He asked what it all meant, and she set down the goose, saying, "Why +couldn't ye keep quiet?" + +So he lay down again, but held himself awake, for he wanted to know what +she would be doing. Three times she came, and every time he tried to +find out what she was after. The third time, just as he came out, she +had killed two geese and let the blood run into a bowl, and she had +taken up the third goose to kill it. + +"What means this business, foster-mother?" said he. + +"True it will prove, Cormac, that you are a hard one to help," said she. +"I was going to break the spell Thorveig laid on thee and Steingerd. Ye +could have loved one another been happy if I had killed the third goose +and no one seen it." + +"I believe nought of such things," cried he; and this song he made about +it:-- + + (67) + "I gave her an ore at the ayre, + That the arts of my foe should not prosper; + And twice she has taken the knife, + And twice she has offered the offering; + But the blood is the blood of a goose-- + What boots it if two should be slaughtered?-- + Never sacrifice geese for a Skald + Who sings for the glory of Odin!" + +So they went to the holmgang: but Thorvald gave the spae-wife a still +greater fee, and offered the sacrifice of geese; and Cormac said:-- + + (68) + "Trust never another man's mistress! + For I know, on this woman who weareth + The fire of the field of the sea-king + The fiends have been riding to revel. + The witch with her hoarse cry is working + For woe when we go to the holmgang, + And if bale be the end of the battle + The blame, be assured, will be hers." + +"Well," she said, "I can manage so that none shall know thee." Then +Cormac began to upbraid her, saying she did nought but ill, and wanting +to drag her out to the door to look at her eyes in the sunshine. His +brother Thorgils made him leave that:--"What good will it do thee?" said +he. + +Now Steingerd gave out that she had a mind to see the fight; and so she +did. When Cormac saw her he made this song:-- + + (69) + "I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the wimple! + And twice for thy sake have I striven; + What stays me as now from thy favour? + This twice have I gotten thee glory, + O goddess of ocean! and surely + To my dainty delight, to my darling + I am dearer by far than her mate." + +So then they set to. Cormac's sword bit not at all, and for a long while +they smote strokes one upon the other, but neither sword bit. At last +Cormac smote upon Thorvard's side so great a blow that his ribs gave +way and were broken; he could fight no more, and thereupon they parted. +Cormac looked and saw where a bull was standing, which he slew for a +sacrifice; and being heated, he doffed his helmet from his head, saying +this song:-- + + (70) + "I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the bracelet! + Even three times for thee have I striven, + And this thou canst never deny me. + But the reed of the fight would not redden, + Though it rang on the shield-bearer's harness; + For the spells of a spae-wife had blunted + My sword that was eager for blood." + +He wiped the sweat from him on the corner of Steingerd's mantle; and +said:-- + + (71) + "So oft, being wounded and weary, + I must wipe my sad brow on thy mantle. + What pangs for thy sake are my portion, + O pine-tree with red gold enwreathed! + Yet beside thee he snugs on the settle + As thou seamest thy broidery,--that rhymester! + And the shame of it whelms me in sorrow, + O Steingerd!--that rascal unslain!" + +And then Cormac prayed Steingerd that she would go with him: but Nay, +she said; she would have her own way about men. So they parted, and both +were ill pleased. + +Thorvard was taken home, and she bound his wounds. Cormac was now always +meeting with Steingerd. Thorvard healed but slowly; and when he could +get on his feet he went to see Thordis, and asked her what was best to +help his healing. + +"A hill there is," answered she, "not far away from here, where elves +have their haunt. Now get you the bull that Cormac killed, and redden +the outer side of the hill with its blood, and make a feast for the +elves with its flesh. Then thou wilt be healed." + +So they sent word to Cormac that they would buy the bull. He answered +that he would sell it, but then he must have the ring that was +Steingerd's. So they brought the ring, took the bull, and did with it as +Thordis bade them do. On which Cormac made a song:-- + + (72) + "When the workers of wounds are returning, + And with them the sacrifice reddened, + Then a lady in raiment of linen, + Who loved me, time was,--she will ask:-- + My ring,--have ye robbed me?--where is it? + --I have wrought them no little displeasure: + For the swain that is swarthy has won it, + The son of old Ogmund, the skald." + +It fell out as he guessed. Steingerd was very angry because they had +sold her ring. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again. + +After that, Thorvard was soon healed, and when he thought he was strong +again, he rode to Mel and challenged Cormac to the holmgang. + +"It takes thee long to tire of it," said Cormac: "but I'll not say thee +nay." + +So they went to the fight, and Thordis met Thorvard now as before, but +Cormac sought no help from her. She blunted Cormac's sword, so that +it would not bite, but yet he struck so great a stroke on Thorvard's +shoulder that the collarbone was broken and his hand was good for +nothing. Being so maimed he could fight no longer, and had to pay +another ring for his ransom. + +Then Thorolf of Spakonufell set upon Cormac and struck at him. He warded +off the blow and sang this song:-- + + (73) + "This reddener of shields, feebly wrathful, + His rusty old sword waved against me, + Who am singer and sacred to Odin! + Go, snuffle, most wretched of men, thou! + A thrust of thy sword is as thewless + As thou, silly stirrer of battle. + What danger to me from thy daring, + Thou doited old witch-woman's carle?" + +Then he killed a bull in sacrifice according to use and wont, saying, +"Ill we brook your overbearing and the witchcraft of Thordis:" and he +made this song:-- + + (74) + "The witch in the wave of the offering + Has wasted the flame of the buckler, + Lest its bite on his back should be deadly + At the bringing together of weapons. + My sword was not sharp for the onset + When I sought the helm-wearer in battle; + But the cur got enough to cry craven, + With a clout that will mind him of me!" + +After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased with these +doings. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. How They All Went Out To Norway. + +Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in +Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the +brothers made up their minds for the voyage. When they were ready to +start, Cormac went to see Steingerd: and before they two parted he +kissed her twice, and his kisses were not at all hasty. The Tinker would +not have it; and so friends on both sides came in, and it was settled +that Cormac should pay for this that he had done. + +"How much?" asked he. + +"The two rings that I parted with," said Thorvard. Then Cormac made a +song:-- + + (75) + "Here is gold of the other's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,-- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses,-- + For the dream of my bliss is betrayed." + +And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another song:-- + + (76) + "One song from my heart would I send her + Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her, + That dainty one, decked in her jewels + Who dwells in the valley of Swindale. + And each word that I utter shall enter + The ears of that lady of bounty, + Saying--Bright one, my beauty, I love thee, + Ah, better by far than my life!" + +So Cormac went abroad and his brother Thorgils went with him; and when +they came to the king's court they were made welcome. + +Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that they +also should abroad together. He answered that it was mere folly, but +nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off on their voyage: and +as they made their way across the sea, they were attacked by vikings who +fell on them to rob them and to carry away Steingerd. But it so happened +that Cormac heard of it; and he made after them and gave good help, so +that they saved everything that belonged to them, and came safely at +last to the court of the king of Norway. + +One day Cormac was walking in the street, and spied Steingerd sitting +within doors. So he went into the house and sat down beside her, and +they had a talk together which ended in his kissing her four kisses. But +Thorvald was on the watch. He drew his sword, but the women-folk rushed +in to part them, and word was sent to King Harald. He said they were +very troublesome people to keep in order.--"But let me settle this +matter between you," said he; and they agreed. + +Then spake the king:--"One kiss shall be atoned for by this, that Cormac +helped you to get safely to land. The next kiss is Cormac's, because he +saved Steingerd. For the other two he shall pay two ounces of gold." + +Upon which Cormac sang the same song that he had made before:-- + + (77) + "Here is gold of the otter's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one,-- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses-- + And the dream of my bliss is betrayed." + +Another day he was walking in the street and met Steingerd again. He +turned to her and prayed her to walk with him. She would not; whereupon +he laid hand on her, to lead her along. She cried out for help; and as +it happened, the king was standing not far off, and went up to them. +He thought this behaviour most unseemly, and took her away, speaking +sharply to Cormac. King Harald made himself very angry over this affair; +but Cormac was one of his courtiers, and it was not long before he got +into favour again, and then things went fair and softly for the rest of +the winter. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. How They Cruised With The King's Fleet, And +Quarrelled, And Made It Up. + +In the following spring King Harald set forth to the land of Permia with +a great host. Cormac was one of the captains in that warfaring, and in +another ship was Thorvald: the other captains of ships are not named in +our story. + +Now as they were all sailing in close order through a narrow sound, +Cormac swung his steering-oar and hit Thorvald a clout on the ear, so +that he fell from his place at the helm in a swoon; and Cormac's ship +hove to, when she lost her rudder. Steingerd had been sitting beside +Thorvald; she laid hold of the tiller, and ran Cormac down. When he saw +what she was doing, he sang:-- + + (78) + "There is one that is nearer and nigher + To the noblest of dames than her lover: + With the haft of the helm is he smitten + On the hat-block--and fairly amidships! + The false heir of Eystein--he falters-- + He falls in the poop of his galley! + Nay! steer not upon me, O Steingerd, + Though stoutly ye carry the day!" + +So Cormac's ship capsized under him; but his crew were saved without +loss of time, for there were plenty of people round about. Thorvald soon +came round again, and they all went on their way. The king offered +to settle the matter between them; and when they both agreed, he gave +judgment that Thorvald's hurt was atoned for by Cormac's upset. + +In the evening they went ashore; and the king and his men sat down to +supper. Cormac was sitting outside the door of a tent, drinking out of +the same cup with Steingerd. While they were busy at it, a young fellow +for mere sport and mockery stole the brooch out of Cormac's fur cloak, +which he had doffed and laid aside; and when he came to take his cloak +again, the brooch was gone. He sprang up and rushed after the young +fellow, with the spear that he called Vigr (the spear) and shot at him, +but missed. This was the song he made about it:-- + + (79) + "The youngster has pilfered my pin, + As I pledged the gay dame in the beaker; + And now must we brawl for a brooch + Like boys when they wrangle and tussle. + Right well have I shafted my spear, + Though I shot nothing more than the gravel: + But sure, if I missed at my man, + The moss has been prettily slaughtered!" + +After this they went on their way to the land of Permia, and after that +they went home again to Norway. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. How Cormac Saved Steingerd Once More From Pirates; +And How They Parted For Good And All. + +Thorvald the Tinker fitted out his ship for a cruise to Denmark, and +Steingerd sailed with him. A little afterwards the brothers set out on +the same voyage, and late one evening they made the Brenneyjar. + +There they saw Thorvald's ship riding, and found him aboard with part of +his crew; but they had been robbed of all their goods, and Steingerd +had been carried off by Vikings. Now the leader of those Vikings was +Thorstein, the son of that Asmund Ashenside, the old enemy of Ogmund, +the father of Cormac and Thorgils. + +So Thorvald and Cormac met, and Cormac asked how came it that his voyage +had been so unlucky. + +"Things have not turned out for the best, indeed," said he. + +"What is the matter?" asked Cormac. "Is Steingerd missing?" + +"She is gone," said Thorvald, "and all our goods." + +"Why don't you go after her?" asked Cormac. + +"We are not strong enough," said Thorvald. + +"Do you mean to say you can't?" said Cormac. + +"We have not the means to fight Thorstein," said Thorvald. "But if thou +hast, go in and fight for thy own hand." + +"I will," said Cormac. + +So at nightfall the brothers went in a boat and rowed to the Viking +fleet, and boarded Thorstein's ship. Steingerd was in the cabin on the +poop; she had been allotted to one of the Vikings; but most of the crew +were ashore round the cooking-fires. Cormac got the story out of the men +who were cooking, and they told all the brothers wanted to know. They +clambered on board by the ladder; Thorgils dragged the bridegroom out to +the gunwale, and Cormac cut him down then and there. Then he dived into +the sea with Steingerd and swam ashore; but when he was nearing the land +a swarm of eels twisted round his hands and feet, so that he was dragged +under. On which he made this song:-- + + (80) + "They came at me yonder in crowds, + O kemp of the shield-serpents' wrangle! + When I fared on my way through the flood, + That flock of the wights of the water. + And ne'er to the gate of the gods + Had I got me, if there had I perished; + Yet once and again have I won, + Little woman, thy safety in peril!" + +So he swam ashore and brought Steingerd back to her husband. + +Thorvald bade Steingerd to go, at last, along with Cormac, for he had +fairly won her, and manfully. That was what he, too, desired, said +Cormac; but "Nay," said Steingerd, "she would not change knives." + +"Well," said Cormac, "it was plain that this was not to be. Evil +beings," he said, "ill luck, had parted them long ago." And he made this +song:-- + + (81) + "Nay, count not the comfort had brought me, + Fair queen of the ring, thy embrace! + Go, mate with the man of thy choosing, + Scant mirth will he get of thy grace! + Be dearer henceforth to thy dastard, + False dame of the coif, than to me;-- + I have spoken the word; I have sung it;-- + I have said my last farewell to thee." + +And so he bade her begone with her husband. + + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. The Swan-Songs of Cormac. + +After these things the brothers turned back to Norway, and Thorvald the +Tinker made his way to Iceland. But the brothers went warfaring round +about Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland, and they were reckoned to +be the most famous of men. It was they who first built the castle of +Scarborough; they made raids into Scotland, and achieved many great +feats, and led a mighty host; and in all that host none was like Cormac +in strength and courage. + +Once upon a time, after a battle, Cormac was driving the flying foe +before him while the rest of his host had gone back aboard ship. Out of +the woods there rushed against him one as monstrous big as an idol--a +Scot; and a fierce struggle began. Cormac felt for his sword, but it +had slipped out of the sheath; he was over-matched, for the giant was +possessed; but yet he reached out, caught his sword, and struck the +giant his death-blow. Then the giant cast his hands about Cormac, and +gripped his sides so hard that the ribs cracked, and he fell over, and +the dead giant on top of him, so that he could not stir. Far and wide +his folk were looking for him, but at last they found him and carried +him aboard ship. Then he made this song:-- + + (82) + "When my manhood was matched in embraces + With the might of yon horror, the strangler, + Far other I found it than folding + That fair one ye know in my arms! + On the high-seat of heroes with Odin + From the horn of the gods I were drinking + O'er soon--let me speak it to warriors-- + If Skrymir had failed of his aid." + +Then his wounds were looked to; they found that his ribs were broken on +both sides. He said it was no use trying to heal him, and lay there in +his wounds for a time, while his men grieved that he should have been so +unwary of his life. + +He answered them in song:-- + + (83) + "Of yore never once did I ween it, + When I wielded the cleaver of targets, + That sickness was fated to foil me-- + A fighter so hardy as I. + But I shrink not, for others must share it, + Stout shafts of the spear though they deem them, + --O hard at my heart is the death-pang,-- + Thus hopeless the bravest may die." + +And this song also:-- + + (84) + "He came not with me in the morning, + Thy mate, O thou fairest of women, + When we reddened for booty the broadsword, + So brave to the hand-grip, in Ireland: + When the sword from its scabbard was loosened + And sang round my cheeks in the battle + For the feast of the Fury, and blood-drops + Fell hot on the neb of the raven." + +And then he began to fail. + +This was his last song:-- + + (85) + "There was dew from the wound smitten deeply + That drained from the stroke of the sword-edge; + There was red on the weapon I wielded + In the war with the glorious and gallant: + Yet not where the broadsword,--the blood wand,-- + Was borne by the lords of the falchion, + But low in the straw like a laggard, + O my lady, dishonoured I die!" + +He said that his will was to give Thorgils his brother all he had,--the +goods he owned and the host he led; for he would like best, he said, +that his brother should have the use of them. + +So then Cormac died. Thorgils became captain over the host, and was long +time in viking. + +And so ends the story. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Life and Death of Cormac the Skald, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CORMAC *** + +***** This file should be named 265.txt or 265.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/265/ + +Produced by Doublas B. Killings + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association / Illinois + Benedictine College" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Illinois Benedictine College". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + + +Originally written in Icelandic sometime between 1250 - 1300 A.D. +although parts may be based on a now lost 12th century saga. + +Author unknown. + +Translation by W.G. Collingwood & J. Stefansson (Ulverston, 1901). + +This electronic text edited, proofed, and prepared by +Doublas B. Killings (DeTroyes@AOL.COM), March 1995. + + + + + +Project Gutenberg's Etext of Life and Death of Cormac the Skald + + + + + +CHAPTER ONE +Cormac's Fore-Elders. + +Harald Fairhair was king of Norway when this tale begins. There +was a chief in the kingdom in those days and his name was Cormac; +one of the Vik-folk by kindred, a great man of high birth. He +was the mightiest of champions, and had been with King Harald in +many battles. + +He had a son called Ogmund, a very hopeful lad; big and sturdy +even as a child; who when he was grown of age and come to his +full strength, took to sea-roving in summer and served in the +king's household in winter. So he earned for himself a good name +and great riches. + +One summer he went roving about the British Isles and there he +fell in with a man named Asmund Ashenside, who also was a great +champion and had worsted many vikings and men of war. These two +heard tell of one another and challenges passed between them. +They came together and fought. Asmund had the greater following, +but he withheld some of his men from the battle: and so for the +length of four days they fought, until many of Asmund's people +were fallen, and at last he himself fled. Ogmund won the victory +and came home again with wealth and worship. + +His father said that he could get no greater glory in war, -- +"And now," said he, "I will find thee a wife. What sayest thou +to Helga, daughter of Earl Frodi?" + +"So be it," said Ogmund. + +Upon this they set off to Earl Frodi's house, and were welcomed +with all honour. They made known their errand, and he took it +kindly, although he feared that the fight with Asmund was likely +to bring trouble. Nevertheless this match was made, and then +they went their ways home. A feast was got ready for the wedding +and to that feast a very great company came together. + +Helga the daughter of Earl Frodi had a nurse that was a wise +woman, and she went with her. Now Asmund the viking heard of +this marriage, and set out to meet Ogmund. He bade him fight, +and Ogmund agreed. + +Helga's nurse used to touch men when they went to fight: so she +did with Ogmund before he set out from home, and told him that he +would not be hurt much. + +Then they both went to the fighting holm and fought. The viking +laid bare his side, but the sword would not bite upon it. Then +Ogmund whirled about his sword swiftly and shifted it from hand +to hand, and hewed Asmund's leg from under him: and three marks +of gold he took to let him go with his life. + + +CHAPTER TWO +How Cormac Was Born and Bred. + +About this time King Harald Fairhair died, and Eric Bloodaxe +reigned in his stead. Ogmund would have no friendship with Eric, +nor with Gunnhild, and made ready his ship for Iceland. + +Nor Ogmund and Helga had a son called Frodi: but when the ship +was nearly ready, Helga took a sickness and died; and so did +their son Frodi. + +After that, they sailed to sea. When they were near the land, +Ogmund cast overboard his high-seat-pillars; and where the high- +seat-pillars had already been washed ashore, there they cast +anchor, and landed in Midfiord. + +At this time Skeggi of Midfiord ruled the countryside. He came +riding toward them and bade them welcome into the firth, and gave +them the pick of the land: which Ogmund took, and began to mark +out ground for a house. Now it was a belief of theirs that as +the measuring went, so would the luck go: if the measuring-wand +seemed to grow less when they tried it again and again, so would +that house's luck grow less: and if it grew greater, so would the +luck be. This time the measure always grew less, though they +tried it three times over. + +So Ogmund built him a house on the sandhills, and lived there +ever after. He married Dalla, the daughter of Onund the Seer, +and their sons were Thorgils and Cormac. Cormac was dark-haired, +with a curly lock upon his forehead: he was bright of blee and +somewhat like his mother, big and strong, and his mood was rash +and hasty. Thorgils was quiet and easy to deal with. + +When the brothers were grown up, Ogmund died; and Dalla kept +house with her sons. Thorgils worked the farm, under the eye of +Midfiord-Skeggi. + + +CHAPTER THREE +How Cormac Fell In Love. + +There was a man named Thorkel lived at Tunga (Tongue). He was a +wedded man, and had a daughter called Steingerd who was fostered +in Gnupsdal (Knipedale). + +Now it was one autumn that a whale came ashore at Vatnsnes +(Watsness), and it belonged to the brothers, Dalla's sons. +Thorgils asked Cormac would he rather go shepherding on the fell, +or work at the whale. He chose to fare on the fell with the +house-carles. + +Tosti, the foreman, it was should be master of the sheep- +gathering: so he and Cormac went together until they came to +Gnupsdal. It was night: there was a great hall, and fires for +men to sit at. + +That evening Steingerd came out of her bower, and a maid with +her. Said the maid, "Steingerd mine, let us look at the guests." + +"Nay," she said, "no need": and yet went to the door, and stepped +on the threshold, and spied across the gate. Now there was a +space between the wicker and the threshold, and her feet showed +through. Cormac saw that, and made this song: -- + + (1) + "At the door of my soul she is standing, + So sweet in the gleam of her garment: + Her footfall awakens a fury, + A fierceness of love that I knew not, + Those feet of a wench in her wimple, + Their weird is my sorrow and troubling, + -- Or naught may my knowledge avail me -- + Both now and for aye to endure." + +Then Steingerd knew she was seen. She turned aside into a corner +where the likeness of Hagbard was carved on the wall, and peeped +under Hagbard's beard. Then the firelight shone upon her face. + +"Cormac," said Tosti, "seest eyes out yonder by that head of +Hagbard?" + +Cormac answered in song: -- + + (2) + "There breaks on me, burning upon me, + A blaze from the cheeks of a maiden, + -- I laugh not to look on the vision -- + In the light of the hall by the doorway. + So sweet and so slender I deem her, + Though I spy bug a glimpse of an ankle + By the threshold: -- and through me there flashes + A thrill that shall age never more." + +And then he made another song: -- + + (3) + "The moon of her brow, it is beaming + 'Neath the bright-litten heaven of her forehead: + So she gleams in her white robe, and gazes + With a glance that is keen as the falcon's. + But the star that is shining upon me + What spell shall it work by its witchcraft? + Ah, that moon of her brow shall be mighty + With mischief to her -- and to me?" + +Said Tosti, "She is fairly staring at thee!" -- And he answered: +-- + + (4) + "She's a ring-bedight oak of the ale-cup, + And her eyes never left me unhaunted. + The strife in my heart I could hide not, + For I hold myself bound in her bondage. + O gay in her necklet, and gainer + In the game that wins hearts on her chessboard, -- + When she looked at me long from the doorway + Where the likeness of Hagbard is carved." + +Then the girls went into the hall, and sat down. He heard what +they said about his looks, -- the maid, that he was black and +ugly, and Steingerd, that he was handsome and everyway as best +could be, -- "There is only one blemish," said she, "his hair is +tufted on his forehead:" -- and he said: -- + + (5) + "One flaw in my features she noted + -- With the flame of the wave she was gleaming + All white in the wane of the twilight -- + And that one was no hideous blemish. + So highborn, so haughty a lady + -- I should have such a dame to befriend me: + But she trows me uncouth for a trifle, + For a tuft in the hair on my brow!" + +Said the maid, "Black are his eyes, sister, and that becomes him +not." Cormac heard her, and said in verse: -- + + (6) + "Yes, black are the eyes that I bring ye, + O brave in your jewels, and dainty. + But a draggle-tail, dirty-foot slattern + Would dub me ill-favoured and sallow. + Nay, many a maiden has loved me, + Thou may of the glittering armlet: + For I've tricks of the tongue to beguile them + And turn them from handsomer lads." + +At this house they spent the night. In the morning when Cormac +rose up, he went to a trough and washed himself; then he went +into the ladies' bower and saw nobody there, but heard folk +talking in the inner room, and he turned and entered. There was +Steingerd, and women with her. + +Said the maid to Steingerd, "There comes thy bonny man, +Steingerd." + +"Well, and a fine-looking lad he is," said she. + +Now she was combing her hair, and Cormac asked her, "Wilt thou +give me leave?" + +She reached out her comb for him to handle it. She had the +finest hair of any woman. Said the maid, "Ye would give a deal +for a wife with hair like Steingerd's, or such eyes!" + +He answered: -- + + (7) + "One eye of the far of the ale-horn + Looking out of a form so bewitching, + Would a bridegroom count money to buy it + He must bring for it ransom three hundred. + The curls that she combs of a morning, + White-clothed in fair linen and spotless, + They enhance the bright hoard of her value, -- + Five hundred might barely redeem them!" + +Said the maid, "It's give and take with the two of ye! But +thou'lt put a big price upon the whole of her!" He answered: -- + + (8) + "The tree of my treasure and longing, + It would take this whole Iceland to win her: + She is dearer than far-away Denmark, + And the doughty domain of the Hun-folk. + With the gold she is combing, I count her + More costly than England could ransom: + So witty, so wealthy, my lady + Is worth them, -- and Ireland beside!" + +Then Tosti came in, and called Cormac out to some work or other; +but he said: -- + + (9) + "Take m swift-footed steel for thy tiding, + Ay, and stint not the lash to him, Tosti: + On the desolate downs ye may wander + And drive him along till he weary. + I care not o'er mountain and moorland + The murrey-brown weathers to follow, -- + Far liefer, I'd linger the morning + In long, cosy chatter with Steingerd." + +Tosti said he would find it a merrier game, and went off; so +Cormac sat down to chess, and right gay he was. Steingerd said +he talked better than folk told of; and he sat there all the day; +and then he made this song: -- + + (10) + " 'Tis the dart that adorneth her tresses, + The deep, dewy grass of her forehead. + So kind to my keeping she gave it, + That good comb I shall ever remember! + A stranger was I when I sought her + -- Sweet stem with the dragon's hoard shining --" + With gold like the sea-dazzle gleaming -- + The girl I shall never forget." + +Tosti came off the fell and they fared home. After that Cormac +used to go to Gnupsdal often to see Steingerd: and he asked his +mother to make him good clothes, so that Steingerd might like him +the most that could be. Dalla said there was a mighty great +difference betwixt them, and it was far from certain to end +happily if Thorkel at Tunga got to know. + + +CHAPTER FOUR +How Cormac Liked Black-Puddings. + +Well Thorkel soon heard what was going forward, and thought it +would turn out to his own shame and his daughter's if Cormac +would not pledge himself to take her or leave her. So he sent +for Steingerd, and she went home. + +Thorkel had a man called Narfi, a noisy, foolish fellow, +boastful, and yet of little account. Said he to Thorkel, "If +Cormac's coming likes thee not, I can soon settle it." + +"Very well," says Thorkel. + +Now, in the autumn, Narfi's work it was to slaughter the sheep. +Once, when Cormac came to Tunga, he saw Steingerd in the kitchen. +Narfi stood by the kettle, and when they had finished the +boiling, he took up a black-pudding and thrust it under Cormac's +nose, crying: -- + + (11) + "Cormac, how would ye relish one? + Kettle-worms I call them." + +To which he answered: -- + + (12) + "Black-puddings boiled, quoth Ogmund's son, + Are a dainty, -- fair befall them!" + +And in the evening when Cormac made ready to go home he saw +Narfi, and bethought him of those churlish words. "I think, +Narfi," said he, "I am more like to knock thee down, than thou to +rule my coming and going." And with that struck him an axe- +hammer-blow, saying: -- + + (13) + "Why foul with thy clowning and folly, + The food that is dressed for thy betters? + Thou blundering archer, what ails thee + To be aiming thy insults at me?" + +And he made another song about: -- + + (14) + "He asked me, the clavering cowherd + If I cared for -- what was it he called them? -- + The worms of the kettle. I warrant + He'll be wiping his eyes by the hearth-stone. + I deem that yon knave of the dunghill + Who dabbles the muck on the meadow + -- Yon rook in his mud-spattered raiment -- + Got a rap for his noise -- like a dog." + + +CHAPTER FIVE +They Waylay Cormac: And The Witch Curses Him. + +There was a woman named Thorveig, and she knew a deal too much. +She lived at Steins-stadir (Stonestead) in Midfiord, and had two +sons; the elder was Odd, and the younger Gudmund. They were +great braggarts both of them. + +This Odd often came to see Thorkel at Tunga, and used to sit and +talk with Steingerd. Thorkel made a great show of friendship +with the brothers, and egged them on to waylay Cormac. Odd said +it was no more than he could do. + +So one day when Cormac came to Tunga, Steingerd was in the +parlour and sat on the dais. Thorveig's sons sat in the room, +ready to fall upon him when he came in; and Thorkel had put a +drawn sword on one side of the door, and on the other side Narfi +had put a scythe in its shaft. When Cormac came to the hall-door +the scythe fell down and met the sword, and broke a great notch +in it. Out came Thorkel and began to upbraid Cormac for a +rascal, and got fairly wild with his talk: then flung into the +parlour and bade Steingerd out of it. Forth they went by another +door, and he locked her into an outhouse, saying that Cormac and +she would never meet again. + +Cormac went in: and he came quicker than folk thought for, and +they were taken aback. He looked about, and no Steingerd: but he +saw the brothers whetting their weapons: so he turned on his heel +and went, saying: -- + + (14) + "The weapon that mows in the meadow + It met with the gay painted buckler, + When I came to encounter a goddess + Who carries the beaker of wine. + Beware! for I warn you of evil + When warriors threaten me mischief. + It shall not be for nought that I pour ye + The newly mixed mead of the gods." + +And when he could find Steingerd nowhere, he made this song: -- + + (15) + "She has gone, with the glitter of ocean + Agleam on her wrist and her bosom, + And my heart follows hard on her footsteps, + For the hall is in darkness without her. + I have gazed, but my glances can pierce not + The gloom of the desolate dwelling; + And fierce is my longing to find her, + The fair one who only can heal me." + +After a while he came to the outhouse where Steingerd was, and +burst it open and had talk with her. + +"This is madness," cried she, "to come talking with me; for +Thorveig's sons are meant to have thy head." + +But he answered: -- + + (16) + "There wait they within that would snare me; + There whet they their swords for my slaying. + My bane they shall be not, the cowards, + The brood of the churl and the carline. + Let the twain of them find me and fight me + In the field, without shelter to shield them, + And ewes of the sheep should be surer + To shorten the days of the wolf." + +So he sat there all day. By that time Thorkel saw that the plan +he had made was come to nothing; and he bade the sons of Thorveig +waylay Cormac in a dale near his garth. "Narfi shall go with ye +two," said he; "but I will stay at home, and bring you help if +need be." + +In the evening Cormac set out, and when he came to the dale, he +saw three men, and said in verse: -- + + (17) + "There sit they in hiding to stay me + From the sight of my queen of the jewels: + But rude will their task be to reave me + From the roof of my bounteous lady. + The fainer the hatred they harbour + For him that is free of her doorway, + The fainer my love and my longing + For the lass that is sweeter than samphire." + +Then leaped up Thorveig's sons, and fought Cormac for a time: +Narfi the while skulked and dodged behind them. Thorkel saw from +his house that they were getting but slowly forward, and he took +his weapons. In that nick of time Steingerd came out and saw +what her father meant. She laid hold on his hands, and he got no +nearer to help the brothers. In the end Odd fell, and Gudmund +was so wounded that he died afterwards. Thorkel saw to them, and +Cormac went home. + +A little after this Cormac went to Thorveig and said he would +have her no longer live there at the firth. "Thou shalt flit and +go thy way at such a time," said he, "and I will give no blood- +money for thy sons." + +Thorveig answered, "It is like enough ye can hunt me out of the +countryside, and leave my sons unatoned. But this way I'll +reward thee. Never shalt thou have Steingerd." + +Said Cormac, "That's not for thee to make or to mar, thou wicked +old hag!" + + +CHAPTER SIX +Cormac Wins His Bride and Loses Her. + +After this, Cormac went to see Steingerd the same as ever: and +once when they talked over these doings she said no ill of them: +whereupon he made this song: -- + + (18) + "There sat they in hiding to slay me + From the sight of my bride and my darling: + But weak were the feet of my foemen + When we fought on the island of weapons. + And the rush of the mightiest rivers + Shall race from the shore to the mountains + Or ever I leave thee, my lady, + And the love that I feast on to-day!" + +"Say no such big words about it," answered she; "Many a thing may +stand in the road." + +Upon which he said: -- + + (19) + "O sweet in the sheen of thy raiment, + The sight of thy beauty is gladdening! + What man that goes marching to battle, + What mate wouldst thou choose to be thine?" + +And she answered: -- + + (20) + "O giver of gold, O ring-breaker, + If the gods and the high fates befriend me, + I'd pledge me to Frodi's blithe brother + And bind him that he should be mine." + +Then she told him to make friends with her father and get her in +marriage. So for her sake Cormac gave Thorkel good gifts. +Afterwards many people had their say in the matter; but in the +end it came to this, -- that he asked for her, and she was +pledged to him, and the wedding was fixed: and so all was quiet +for a while. + +Then they had words. There was some falling-out about +settlements. It came to such a pass that after everything was +ready, Cormac began to cool off. But the real reason was, that +Thorveig had bewitched him so that they should never have one +another. + +Thorkel at Tunga had a grown-up son, called Thorkel and by-named +Tooth-gnasher. He had been abroad some time, but this summer he +came home and stayed with his father. + +Cormac never came to the wedding at the time it was fixed, and +the hour passed by. This the kinsfolk of Steingerd thought a +slight, deeming that he had broken off the match; and they had +much talk about it. + + +CHAPTER SEVEN +How Steingerd Was Married To Somebody Else. + +Bersi lived in the land of Saurbae, a rich man and a good fellow: +he was well to the fore, a fighter, and a champion at the +holmgang. He had been married to Finna the Fair: but she was +dead: Asmund was their son, young in years and early ripe. Helga +was the sister of Bersi: she was unmarried, but a fine woman and +a pushing one, and she kept house for Bersi after Finna died. + +At the farm called Muli (the Mull) lived Thord Arndisarson: he +was wedded to Thordis, sister of Bork the Stout. They had two +sons who were both younger than Asmund the son of Bersi. + +There was also a man with Vali. His farm was named Vali's stead, +and it stood on the way to Hrutafiord. + +Now Thorveig the spaewife went to see Holmgang Bersi and told him +her trouble. She said that Cormac forbade her staying in +Midfiord: so Bersi bought land for her west of the firth, and she +lived there for a long time afterwards. + +Once when Thorkel at Tunga and his son were talking about +Cormac's breach of faith and deemed that it should be avenged, +Narfi said, "I see a plan that will do. Let us go to the west- +country with plenty of goods and gear, and come to Bersi in +Saurbae. He is wifeless. Let us entangle him in the matter. He +would be a great help to us." + +That counsel they took. They journeyed to Saurbae, and Bersi +welcomed them. In the evening they talked of nothing but +weddings. Narfi up and said there was no match so good as +Steingerd, -- "And a deal of folk say, Bersi, that she would suit +thee." + +"I have heard tell," he answered, "that there will be a rift in +the road, though the match is a good one." + +"If it's Cormac men fear," cried Narfi, "there is no need; for he +is clean out of the way." + +When Bersi heard that, he opened the matter to Thorkel +Toothgnasher, and asked for Steingerd. Thorkel made a good +answer, and pledged his sister to him. + +So they rode north, eighteen in all, for the wedding. There was +a man named Vigi lived at Holm, a big man and strong of his +hands, a warlock, and Bersi's kinsman. He went with them, and +they thought he would be a good helper. Thord Arndisarson too +went north with Bersi, and many others, all picked men. + +When they came to Thorkel's, they set about the wedding at once, +so that no news of it might get out through the countryside: but +all this was sore against Steingerd's will. + +Now Vigi the warlock knew every man's affairs who came to the +steading or left it. He sat outmost in the chamber, and slept by +the hall door. + +Steingerd sent for Narfi, and when they met she said, -- "I wish +thee, kinsman, to tell Cormac the business they are about: I wish +thee to take this message to him." + +So he set out secretly; but when he was a gone a little way Vigi +came after, and bade him creep home and hatch no plots. They +went back together, and so the night passed. + +Next morning Narfi started forth again; but before he had gone so +far as on the evening, Vigi beset him, and drove him back without +mercy. + +When the wedding was ended they made ready for their journey. +Steingerd took her gold and jewels, and they rode towards +Hrutafiord, going rather slowly. When they were off, Narfi set +out and came to Mel. Cormac was building a wall, and hammering +it with a mallet. Narfi rode up, with his shield and sword, and +carried on strangely, rolling his eyes about like a hunted beast. +Some men were up on the wall with Cormac when he came, and his +horse shied at them. Said Cormac, -- "What news, Narfi? What +folk were with you last night?" + +"Small tidings, but we had guests enough," answered he. + +"Who were the guests?" + +"There was Holmgang Bersi, with seventeen more to sit at his +wedding." + +"Who was the bride?" + +"Bersi wed Steingerd Thorkel's daughter," said Narfi. "When they +were gone she sent me here to tell thee the news." + +"Thou hast never a word but ill," said Cormac, and leapt upon him +and struck at the shield: and as it slipped aside he was smitten +on the breast and fell from his horse; and the horse ran away +with the shield (hanging to it). + +Cormac's brother Thorgils said this was too much. "It serves him +right," cried Cormac. And when Narfi woke out of his swoon they +got speech of him. + +Thorgils asked, "What manner of men were at the wedding?" + +Narfi told him. + +"Did Steingerd know this before?" + +"Not till the very evening they came," answered he; and then told +of his dealings with Vigi, saying that Cormac would find it +easier to whistle on Steingerd's tracks and go on a fool's errand +than to fight Bersi. Then said Cormac: -- + + (21) + "Now see to thy safety henceforward, + And stick to thy horse and thy buckler; + Or this mallet of mine, I can tell thee, + Will meet with thine ear of a surety. + Now say no more stories of feasting, + Though seven in a day thou couldst tell of, + Or bumps thou shalt comb on thy brainpan, + Thou that breakest the howes of the dead. + +Thorgils asked about the settlements between Bersi and Steingerd. +Her kinsmen, said Narfi, were now quit of all farther trouble +about that business, however it might turn out; but her father +and brother would be answerable for the wedding. + + +CHAPTER EIGHT +How Cormac Chased Bersi And His Bride. + +Cormac took his horse and weapons and saddle-gear. + +"What now, brother?" asked Thorgils. + +He answered: -- + + (22) + "My bride, my betrothed has been stolen, + And Bersi the raider has robbed me. + I who offer the song-cup of Odin -- + Who else? -- should be riding beside her. + She loved me -- no lord of them better: + I have lost her -- for me she is weeping: + The dear, dainty darling that kissed me, + For day upon day of delight." + +Said Thorgils, "A risky errand is this, for Bersi will get home +before you catch him. And yet I will go with thee." + +Cormac said he would away and bide for no man. He leapt on his +horse forthwith, and galloped as hard as he could. Thorgils made +haste to gather men, -- they were eighteen in all, -- and came up +with Cormac on the hause that leads to Hrutafiord, for he had +foundered his horse. So they turned to Thorveig the spaewife's +farmsteading, and found that Bersi was gone aboard her boat. + +She had said to Bersi, "I wish thee to take a little gift from +me, and good luck follow it." + +This was a target bound with iron; and she said she reckoned +Bersi would hardly be hurt if he carried it to shield him, -- +"but it is little worth beside this steading thou hast given me." +He thanked her for the gift, and so they parted. Then she got +men to scuttle all the boats on the shore, because she knew +beforehand that Cormac and his folk were coming. + +When they came and asked her for a boat, she said she would do +them no kindness without payment; -- "Here is a rotten boat in +the boathouse which I would lend for half a mark." + +Thorgils said it would be in reason if she asked two ounces of +silver. Such matters, said Cormac, should not stand in the way; +but Thorgils said he would sooner ride all round the water-head. +Nevertheless Cormac had his will, and they started in the boat; +but they had scarcely put off from shore when it filled, and they +had hard work to get back to the same spot. + +"Thou shouldst pay dearly for this, thou wicked old hag," said +Cormac, "and never be paid at all." + +That was no mighty trick to play them, she said; and so Thorgils +paid her the silver; about which Cormac made this song: -- + + (23) + "I'm a tree that is tricked out in war-gear, + She, the trim rosy elf of the shuttle: + And I break into singing about her + Like the bat at the well, never ceasing. + With the dew-drops of Draupnir the golden + Full dearly folk buy them their blessings; + Then lay down three ounces and leave them + For the leaky old boat that we borrowed." + +Bersi got hastily to horse, and rode homewards; and when Cormac +saw that he must be left behind, he made this song: -- + + (24) + "I tell you, the goddess who glitters + With gold on the perch of the falcon, + The bride that I trusted, by beauty, + From the bield of my hand has been taken. + On the boat she makes glad in its gliding + She is gone from me, reft from me, ravished! + O shame, that we linger to save her, + Too sweet for the prey of the raven! + +They took their horses and rode round the head of the firth. +They met Vali and asked about Bersi; he said that Bersi had come +to Muli and gathered men to him, -- "A many men." + +"Then we are too late," said Cormac, "if they have got men +together." + +Thorgils begged Cormac to let them turn back, saying there was +little honour to be got; but Cormac said he must see Steingerd. + +So Vali went with them and they came to Muli where Bersi was and +many men with him. They spoke together. Cormac said that Bersi +had betrayed him in carrying off Steingerd, "But now we would +take the lady with us, and make him amends for his honour." + +To this said Thord Arndisarson, "We will offer terms to Cormac, +but the lady is in Bersi's hands." + +"There is no hope that Steingerd will go with you," said Bersi; +"but I offer my sister to Cormac in marriage, and I reckon he +will be well wedded if take Helga." + +"This is a good offer," said Thorgils; "let us think of it, +brother." + +But Cormac started back like a restive horse. + + +CHAPTER NINE +Of Another Witch, And Two Magic Swords. + +There was a woman called Thordis -- and a shrew she was -- who +lived at Spakonufell (Spaequean's-fell), in Skagastrand. She, +having foresight of Cormac's goings, came that very day to Muli, +and answered this matter on his behalf, saying, "Never give him +yon false woman. She is a fool, and not fit for any pretty man. +Woe will his mother be at such a fate for her lad!" + +"Aroint thee, foul witch!" cried Thord. They should see, said +he, that Helga would turn out fine. But Cormac answered, "Said +it may be, for sooth it may be: I will never think of her." + +"Woe to us, then," said Thorgils, "for listening to the words of +yon fiend, and slighting this offer!" + +Then spoke Cormac, "I bid thee, Bersi, to the holmgang within +half a month, at Leidholm, in Middal." + +Bersi said he would come, but Cormac should be the worse for his +choice. + +After this Cormac went about the steading to look for Steingerd. +When he found her he said she had betrayed him in marrying +another man. + +"It was thou that made the first breach, Cormac," said she, "for +this was none of my doing." + +Then said he in verse: -- + + (25) + "Thou sayest my faith has been forfeit, + O fair in thy glittering raiment; + But I wearied my steed and outwore it, + And for what but the love that bare thee? + O fainer by far was I, lady, + To founder my horse in the hunting -- + Nay, I spared not the jade when I spurred it -- + Than to see thee the bride of my foe." + +After this Cormac and his men went home. When he told his mother +how things had gone, "Little good," she said, "will thy luck do +us. Ye have slighted a fine offer, and you have no chance +against Bersi, for he is a great fighter and he has good +weapons." + +Now, Bersi owned the sword they call Whitting; a sharp sword it +was, with a life-stone to it; and that sword he had carried in +many a fray. + +"Whether wilt thou have weapons to meet Whitting?" she asked. +Cormac said he would have an axe both great and keen. + +Dalla said he should see Skeggi of Midfiord and ask for the loan +of his sword, Skofnung. So Cormac went to Reykir and told Skeggi +how matters stood, asking him to lend Skofnung. Skeggi said he +had no mind to lend it. Skofnung and Cormac, said he, would +never agree: "It is cold and slow, and thou art hot and hasty." + +Cormac rode away and liked it ill. He came home to Mel and told +his mother that Skeggi would not lend the sword. Now Skeggi had +the oversight of Dalla's affairs, and they were great friends; so +she said, "He will lend the sword, though not all at once." + +That was not what he wanted, answered Cormac, -- "If he withhold +it not from thee, while he does withhold it from me." Upon which +she answered that he was a thwart lad. + +A few days afterwards Dalla told him to go to Reykir. "He will +lend thee the sword now," said she. So he sought Skeggi and +asked for Skofnung. + +"Hard wilt thou find it to handle," said Skeggi. "There is a +pouch to it, and that thou shalt let be. Sun must not shine on +the pommel of the hilt. Thou shalt not wear it until fighting is +forward, and when ye come to the field, sit all alone and then +draw it. Hold the edge toward thee, and blow on it. Then will a +little worm creep from under the hilt. Then slope thou the sword +over, and make it easy for that worm to creep back beneath the +hilt." + +"Here's a tale of tricks, thou warlock!" cried Cormac + +"Nevertheless," answered Skeggi, "it will stand thee in good +stead to know them." + +So Cormac rode home and told his mother, saying that her will was +of great avail with Skeggi. He showed the sword, and tried to +draw it, but it would not leave the sheath. + +"Thou are over wilful, my son," said she. + +Then he set his feet against the hilts, and pulled until he tore +the pouch off, at which Skofnung creaked and groaned, but never +came out of the scabbard. + +Well, the time wore on, and the day came. He rode away with +fifteen men; Bersi also rode to the holm with as many. Cormac +came there first, and told Thorgils that he would sit apart by +himself. So he sat down and ungirt the sword. + +Now, he never heeded whether the sun shone upon the hilt, for he +had girt the sword on him outside his clothes. And when he tried +to draw it he could not, until he set his feet upon the hilts. +Then the little worm came, and was not rightly done by; and so +the sword came groaning and creaking out of the scabbard, and the +good luck of it was gone. + + +CHAPTER TEN +The Fight On Leidarholm. + +After that Cormac went to his men. Bersi and his party had come +by that time, and many more to see the fight. + +Cormac took up Bersi's target and cut at it, and sparks flew out. + +Then a hide was taken and spread for them to stand on. Bersi +spoke and said, "Thou, Cormac, hast challenged me to the +holmgang; instead of that, I offer thee to fight in simple sword- +play. Thou art a young man and little tried; the holmgang needs +craft and cunning, but sword-play, man to man, is an easy game." + +Cormac answered, "I should fight no better even so. I will run +the risk, and stand on equal footing with thee, every way." + +"As thou wilt," said Bersi. + +It was the law of the holmgang that the hide should be five ells +long, with loops at its corners. Into these should be driven +certain pins with heads to them, called tjosnur. He who made it +ready should go to the pins in such a manner that he could see +sky between his legs, holding the lobes of his ears and speaking +the forewords used in the rite called "The Sacrifice of the +tjosnur." Three squares should be marked round the hide, each +one foot broad. At the outermost corners of the squares should +be four poles, called hazels; when this is done, it is a hazelled +field. Each man should have three shields, and when they were +cut up he must get upon the hide if he had given way from it +before, and guard himself with his weapons alone thereafter. He +who had been challenged should strike the first stroke. If one +was wounded so that blood fell upon the hide, he should fight no +longer. If either set one foot outside the hazel poles "he went +on his heel," they said; but he "ran" if both feet were outside. +His own man was to hold the shield before each of the fighters. +The one who was wounded should pay three marks of silver to be +set free. + +So the hide was taken and spread under their feet. Thorgils held +his brother's shield, and Thord Arndisarson that of Bersi. Bersi +struck the first blow, and cleft Cormac's shield; Cormac struck +at Bersi to the like peril. Each of them cut up and spoilt three +shields of the other's. Then it was Cormac's turn. He struck at +Bersi, who parried with Whitting. Skofnung cut the point off +Whitting in front of the ridge. The sword-point flew upon +Cormac's hand, and he was wounded in the thumb. The joint was +cleft, and blood dropped upon the hide. Thereupon folk went +between them and stayed the fight. + +Then said Cormac, "This is a mean victory that Bersi has gained; +it is only from my bad luck; and yet we must part." + +He flung down his sword, and it met Bersi's target. A shard was +broken out of Skofnung, and fire flew out of Thorveig's gift. + +Bersi asked the money for release, Cormac said it would be paid; +and so they parted. + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN +The Songs That Were Made About The Fight. + +Steinar was the name of a man who was the son of Onund the Seer, +and brother of Dalla, Cormac's mother. He was an unpeaceful man, +and lived at Ellidi. + +Thither rode Cormac from the holme, to see his kinsman, and told +him of the fight, at which he was but ill pleased. Cormac said +he meant to leave the country, -- "And I want thee to take the +money to Bersi." + +"Thou art no bold man," said Steinar, "but the money shall be +paid if need be." + +Cormac was there some nights; his hand swelled much, for it was +not dressed. + +After that meeting, Holmgang Bersi went to see his brother. Folk +asked how the holmgang had gone, and when he told them they said +that two bold men had struck small blows, and he had gained the +victory only through Cormac's mishap. When Bersi met Steingerd, +and she asked how it went, he made this verse: -- + + (26) + "They call him, and truly they tell it, + A tree of the helmet right noble: + But the master of manhood must bring me + Three marks for his ransom and rescue. + Though stout in the storm of the bucklers + In the stress of the Valkyrie's tempest + He will bid me no more to the battle, + For the best of the struggle was ours." + +Steinar and Cormac rode from Ellidi and passed through Saurbae. +They saw men riding towards them, and yonder came Bersi. He +greeted Cormac and asked how the wound was getting on. Cormac +said it needed little to be healed. + +"Wilt thou let me heal thee?" said Bersi; "though from me thou +didst get it: and then it will be soon over." + +Cormac said nay, for he meant to be his lifelong foe. Then +answered Bersi: -- + + (27) + "Thou wilt mind thee for many a season + How we met in the high voice of Hilda. + Right fain I go forth to the spear-mote + Being fitted for every encounter. + There Cormac's gay shield from his clutches + I clave with the bane of the bucklers, + For he scorned in the battle to seek me + If we set not the lists of the holmgang." + +Thus they parted; and then Cormac went home to Mel and saw his +mother. She healed his hand; it had become ugly and healed +badly. The notch in Skofnung they whetted, but the more they +whetted the bigger it was. So he went to Reykir, and flung +Skofnung at Skeggi's feet, with this verse: -- + + (28) + "I bring thee, thus broken and edgeless, + The blade that thou gavest me, Skeggi! + I warrant thy weapon could bite not: + I won not the fight by its witchcraft. + No gain of its virtue nor glory + I got in the strife of the weapons, + When we met for to mingle the sword-storm + For the maiden my singing adorns." + +Said Skeggi, "It went as I warned thee." Cormac flung forth and +went home to Mel: and when he met with Dalla he made this song:-- + + (29) + "To the field went I forth, O my mother + The flame of the armlet who guardest, -- + To dare the cave-dweller, my foeman + And I deemed I should smite him in battle. + But the brand that is bruited in story + It brake in my hand as I held it; + And this that should thrust men to slaughter + Is thwarted and let of its might. + + (30) + For I borrowed to bear in the fighting + No blunt-edged weapon of Skeggi: + There is strength in the serpent that quivers + By the side of the land of the girdle. + But vain was the virtue of Skofnung + When he vanquished the sharpness of Whitting; + And a shard have I shorn, to my sorrow, + From the shearer of ringleted mail. + + (31) + Yon tusker, my foe, wrought me trouble + When targe upon targe I had carven: + For the thin wand of slaughter was shattered + And it sundered the ground of my handgrip. + Loud bellowed the bear of the sea-king + When he brake from his lair in the scabbard, + At the hest of the singer, who seeketh + The sweet hidden draught of the gods. + + (32) + Afar must I fare, O my mother, + And a fate points the pathway before me, + For that white-wreathen tree may woo not + -- Two wearisome morrows her outcast. + And it slays me, at home to be sitting, + So set is my heart on its goddess, + As a lawn with fair linen made lovely + -- I can linger no third morrow's morn." + +After that, Cormac went one day to Reykir and talked with Skeggi, +who said the holmgang had been brought to scorn. Then answered +Cormac: -- + + (33) + "Forget it, O Frey of the helmet, + -- Lo, I frame thee a song in atonement -- + That the bringer of blood, even Skofnung, + I bare thee so strangely belated. + For by stirrers of storm was I wounded; + They smote me where perches the falcon: + But the blade that I borrowed, O Skeggi, + Was borne in the clashing of edges. + + (34) + I had deemed, O thou Grey of fighting, + Of the fierce song of Odin, -- my neighbour, + I had deemed that a brand meet for bloodshed + I bare to the crossways of slaughter. + Nay, -- thy glaive, it would gape not nor ravin + Against him, the rover who robbed me: + And on her, as the surge on the shingle, + My soul beats and breaks evermore." + + +CHAPTER TWELVE +Bersi's Bad Luck At The Thor's-Ness Thing. + +In the winter, sports were held at Saurbae. Bersi's lad, Asmund, +was there, and likewise the sons of Thord; but they were younger +than he, and nothing like so sturdy. When they wrestled Asmund +took no heed to stint his strength, and the sons of Thord often +came home blue and bleeding. Their mother Thordis was ill +pleased, and asked her husband would he give Bersi a hint to make +it up on behalf of his son. Nay, Thord answered, he was loath to +do that. + +"Then I'll find my brother Bork," said she, "and it will be just +as bad in the end." + +Thord bade her do no such thing. "I would rather talk it over +with him," said he; and so, at her wish, he met Bersi, and hinted +that some amends were owing. + +Said Bersi, "Thou art far too greedy of getting, nowadays. This +kind of thing will end in losing thee thy good name. Thou wilt +never want while anything is to be got here." + +Thord went home, and there was a coolness between them while that +winter lasted. + +Spring slipped by, until it was time for the meeting at Thor's- +ness. By then, Bersi thought he saw through this claim of +Thord's, and found Thordis at the bottom of it. For all that, he +made ready to go to the Thing. By old use and wont these two +neighbours should have gone riding together; so Bersi set out and +came to Muli, but when he got there Thord was gone. + +"Well," said he, "Thord has broken old use and wont in awaiting +me no longer." + +"If breach there be," answered Thordis, "it is thy doing. This +is nothing to what we owe thee, and I doubt there will be more to +follow." + +They had words. Bersi said that harm would come of her evil +counsel; and so they parted. + +When he left the house he said to his men, "Let us turn aside to +the shore and take a boat; it is a long way to ride round the +waterhead." So they took a boat -- it was one of Thord's -- and +went their way. + +They came to the meeting when most other folks were already +there, and went to the tent of Olaf Peacock of Hjardarholt +(Herdholt), for he was Bersi's chief. It was crowded inside, and +Bersi found no seat. He used to sit next Thord, but that place +was filled. In it there sat a big and strong-looking man, with a +bear-skin coat, and a hood that shaded his face. Bersi stood a +while before him, but the seat was not given up. He asked the +man for his name, and was told he might call him Bruin, or he +might call him Hoodie -- which-ever he liked; whereupon he said +in verse: -- + + (35) + "Who sits in the seat of the warriors, + With the skin of the bear wrapped around him, + So wild in his look? -- Ye have welcomed + A wolf to your table, good kinsfolk! + Ah, now may I know him, I reckon! + Doth he name himself Bruin, or Hoodie? -- + We shall meet once again in the morning, + And maybe he'll prove to be -- Steinar." + +"And it's no use for thee to hide thy name, thou in the +bearskin," said he. + +"No more it is," he answered. "Steinar I am, and I have brought +money to pay thee for Cormac, if so be it is needed. But first I +bid thee to fight. It will have to be seen whether thou get the +two marks of silver, or whether thou lose them both." + +Upon which quoth Bersi: -- + + (36) + "They that waken the storm of the spear-points -- + For slaughter and strife they are famous -- + To the island they bid me for battle, + Nor bitter I think it nor woeful; + For long in that craft am I learned + To loosen the Valkyrie's tempest + In the lists, and I fear not to fight them -- + Unflinching in battle am I. + +"Well I wot, though," said he, "that ye and your gang mean to +make away with me. But I would let you know that I too have +something to say about it -- something that will set down your +swagger, maybe." + +"It is not thy death we are seeking," answered Steinar; "all we +want is to teach thee thy true place." + +Bersi agreed to fight him, and then went out to a tent apart and +took up his abode there. + +Now one day the word went round for bathing in the sea. Said +Steinar to Bersi, "Wilt try a race with me, Bersi?" + +"I have given over swimming," said he, "and yet I'll try." + +Bersi's manner of swimming was to breast the waves and strike out +with all his might. In so doing he showed a charm he wore round +his neck. Steinar swam at him and tore off the lucky-stone with +the bag it was in, and threw them both into the water, saying in +verse: -- + + (37) + "Long I've lived, + And I've let the gods guide me; + Brown hose I never wore + To bring the luck beside me. + I've never knit + All to keep me thriving + Round my neck a bag of worts, + -- And lo! I'm living!" + +Upon that they struck out to land. + +But this turn that Steinar played was Thord's trick to make Bersi +lose his luck in the fight. And Thord went along the shore at +low water and found the luck-stone, and hid it away. + +Now Steinar had a sword that was called after Skrymir the giant: +it was never fouled, and no mishap followed it. On the day +fixed, Thord and Steinar went out of the tent, and Cormac also +came to the meeting to hold the shield of Steinar. Olaf Peacock +got men to help Bersi at the fight, for Thord had been used to +hold his shield, but this time failed him. So Bersi went to the +trysting-place with a shield-bearer who is not named in the +story, and with the round target that once had belonged to +Thorveig. + +Each man was allowed three shields. Bersi cut up two, and then +Cormac took the third. Bersi hacked away, but Whitting his sword +stuck fast in the iron border of Steinar's shield. Cormac +whirled it up just when Steinar was striking out. He struck the +shield-edge, and the sword glanced off, slit Bersi's buttock, +sliced his thigh down to the knee-joint, and stuck in the bone. +And so Bersi fell. + +"There!" cried Steinar, "Cormac's fine is paid." + +But Bersi leapt up, slashed at him, and clove his shield. The +sword-point was at Steinar's breast when Thord rushed forth and +dragged him away, out of reach. + +"There!" cried Thord to Bersi, "I have paid thee for the mauling +of my sons." + +So Bersi was carried to the tent, and his wound was dressed. +After a while, Thord came in; and when Bersi saw him he said: -- + + (38) + "When the wolf of the war-god was howling + Erstwhile in the north, thou didst aid me: + When it gaped in my hand, and it girded + At the Valkyries' gate for to enter. + But now wilt thou never, O warrior, + At need in the storm-cloud of Odin + Give me help in the tempest of targes + -- Untrusty, unfaithful art thou. + + (39) + "For when I was a stripling I showed me + To the stems of the lightning of battle + Right meet for the mist of the war-maids; + -- Ah me! that was said long ago. + But now, and I may not deny it + My neighbours in earth must entomb me, + At the spot I have sought for grave-mound + Where Saurbae lies level and green." + +Said Thord, "I have no wish for thy death; but I own it is no +sorrow to see thee down for once." + +To which Bersi answered in song: -- + + (40) + "The friend that I trusted has failed me + In the fight, and my hope is departed: + I speak what I know of; and note it, + Ye nobles, -- I tell ye no leasing. + Lo, the raven is ready for carnage, + But rare are the friends who should succour. + Yet still let them scorn me and threaten, + I shrink not, I am not dismayed." + +After this, Bersi was taken home to Saurbae, and lay long in his +wounds. + +But when he was carried into the tent, at that very moment +Steinar spoke thus to Cormac: -- + + (41) + "Of the reapers in harvest of Hilda + -- Thou hast heard of it -- four men and eight men + With the edges of Skrymir to aid me + I have urged to their flight from the battle. + Now the singer, the steward of Odin, + Hath smitten at last even Bersi + With the flame of the weapon that feedeth + The flocks of the carrion crows." + +"I would have thee keep Skrymir now for thy own, Cormac," said +he, "because I mean this fight to be my last." + +After that, they parted in friendly wise: Steinar went home, and +Cormac fared to Mel. + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN +Steingerd Leaves Bersi. + +Next it is told of Bersi. His wound healed but slowly. Once on +a time a many folk were met to talk about that meeting and what +came of it, and Bersi made this song: -- + + (42) + "Thou didst leave me forlorn to the sword-stroke, + Strong lord of the field of the serpent! + And needy and fallen ye find me, + Since my foeman ye shielded from danger. + Thus cunning and counsel are victors, + When the craft of the spear-shaft avails not; + But this, as I think, is the ending, + O Thord, of our friendship for ever!" + +A while later Thord came to his bedside and brought back the +luck-stone; and with it he healed Bersi, and they took to their +friendship again and held it unbroken ever after. + +Because of these happenings, Steingerd fell into loathing of +Bersi and made up her mind to part with him; and when she had got +everything ready for going away she went to him and said: -- +"First ye were called Eygla's-Bersi, and then Holmgang-Bersi, but +now your right name will be Breech-Bersi!" and spoke her divorce +from him. + +She went north to her kinsfolk, and meeting with her brother +Thorkel she bade him seek her goods again from Bersi -- her pin- +money and her dowry, saying that she would not own him now that +he was maimed. Thorkel Toothgnasher never blamed her for that, +and agreed to undertake her errand; but the winter slipped by and +his going was put off. + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN +The Bane Of Thorkel Toothgnasher. + +Afterwards, in the spring, Thorkel Toothgnasher set out to find +Bersi and to seek Steingerd's goods again. Bersi said that his +burden was heavy enough to bear, even though both together +underwent the weight of it. "And I shall not pay the money!" +said he. + +Said Thorkel, "I bid thee to the holmgang at Orrestholm beside +Tjaldanes (Tentness)." + +"That ye will think hardly worth while," said Bersi, "such a +champion as you are; and yet I undertake for to come." + +So they came to the holme and fell to the holmgang. Thord +carried the shield before Bersi, and Vali was Thorkel's shield- +bearer. When two shields had been hacked to splinters, Bersi +bade Thorkel take the third; but he would not. Bersi still had a +shield, and a sword that was long and sharp. + +Said Thorkel, "The sword ye have, Bersi, is longer than lawful." + +"That shall not be," cried Bersi; and took up his other sword, +Whitting, two-handed, and smote Thorkel his deathblow. Then sang +he:-- + + (43) + "I have smitten Toothgnasher and slain him, + And I smile at the pride of his boasting. + One more to my thirty I muster, + And, men! say ye this of the battle: -- + In the world not a lustier liveth + Among lords of the steed of the oar-bench; + Though by eld of my strength am I stinted + To stain the black wound-bird with blood." + +After these things Vali bade Bersi to the holmgang, but he +answered in this song: -- + + (44) + "They that waken the war of the mail-coats, + For warfare and manslaying famous, + To the lists they have bid me to battle, + Nor bitter I think it not woeful. + It is sport for yon swordsmen who goad me + To strive in the Valkyries' tempest + On the holme; but I fear not to fight them -- + Unflinching in battle am I!" + +The were even about to begin fighting, when Thord came and spoke +to them saying: -- "Woeful waste of life I call it, if brave men +shall be smitten down for the sake of any such matters. I am +ready to make it up between ye two." + +To this they agreed, and he said: -- "Vali, this methinks is the +most likely way of bringing you together. Let Bersi take thy +sister Thordis to wife. It is a match that may well be to thy +worship." + +Bersi agreed to this, and it was settled that the land of Brekka +should go along with her as a dowry; and so this troth was +plighted between them. Bersi afterwards had a strong stone wall +built around his homestead, and sat there for many winters in +peace. + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN +The Rescue Of Steinvor Slim-ankles. + +There was a man named Thorarin Alfsson, who lived in the north at +Thambardal; that is a dale which goes up from the fiord called +Bitra. He was a big man and mighty, and he was by-named Thorarin +the Strong. He had spent much of his time in seafaring (as a +chapman) and so lucky was he that he always made the harbour he +aimed at. + +He had three sons; one was named Alf, the next Loft, and the +third Skofti. Thorarin was a most overbearing man, and his sons +took after him. They were rough, noisy fellows. + +Not far away, at Tunga (Tongue) in Bitra, lived a man called Odd. +His daughter was named Steinvor, a pretty girl and well set up; +her by-name was Slim-ankles. Living with Odd were many +fisherman; among them, staying there for the fishing-season, was +one Glum, an ill-tempered carle and bad to deal with. + +Now once upon a time these two, Odd and Glum, were in talk +together which were the greatest men in the countryside. Glum +reckoned Thorarin to be foremost, but Odd said Holmgang Bersi was +better than he in every way. + +"How can ye make that out?" asked Glum. + +"Is there any likeness whatever," said Odd, "between the bravery +of Bersi and the knavery of Thorarin?" + +So they talked about this until they fell out, and laid a wager +upon it. + +Then Glum wend and told Thorarin. He grew very angry and made +many a threat against Odd. And in a while he went and carried +off Steinvor from Tunga, all to spite her father; and he gave out +that if Odd said anything against it, the worse for him: and so +took her home to Thambardal. + +Things went on so for a while, and then Odd went to see Holmgang +Bersi, and told him what had happened. He asked him for help to +get Steinvor back and to wreak vengeance for that shame. Bersi +answered that such words had been better unsaid, and bade him go +home and take no share in the business. "But yet," added he, "I +promise that I will see to it." + +No sooner was Odd gone than Bersi made ready to go from home. He +rode fully armed, with Whitting at his belt, and three spears; he +came to Thambardal when the day was far spent and the women were +coming out of the bower. Steinvor saw him and turning to meet +him told of her unhappiness. + +"Make ready to go with me," said he; and that she did. + +He would not go to Thambardal for nothing, he said; and so he +turned to the door where men were sitting by long fires. He +knocked at the door, and out there came a man -- his name was +Thorleif. But Thorarin knew Bersi's voice, and rushed forth with +a great carving-knife and laid on to him. Bersi was aware of it, +and drew Whitting, and struck him his death-blow. + +Then he leapt on horseback and set Steinvor on his knee and took +his spears which she had kept for him. He rode some way into the +wood, where in a hidden spot he left his horse and Steinvor, +bidding her await him. Then he went to a narrow gap through +which the high-road ran, and there made ready to stand against +his foes. + +In Thambardal there was anything but peace. Thorleif ran to tell +the sons of Thorarin that he lay dead in the doorway. They asked +who had done the deed. He told them. Then they went after Bersi +and steered the shortest way to the gap, meaning to get there +first; but by that time he was already first at the gap. + +When they came near him, Bersi hurled a spear at Alf, and it went +right through him. Then Loft cast at Bersi, but he caught the +spear on his target and it dropped off. Then Bersi threw at Loft +and killed him, and so he did by Skofti. + +When all was over, the house-carles of the brothers came up. +Thorleif turned back to meet them, and they all went home +together. + +After that Bersi went to find Steinvor, and mounted his horse. +He came home before men were out of bed. They asked him about +his journey and he told them. When Odd met him he asked about +the fight and how it had passed, and Bersi answered in this +verse: -- + + (45) + "There was one fed the wolves has encountered + His weird in the dale of the Bowstring -- + Thorarin the Strong, 'neath the slayer + Lay slain by the might of my weapon. + And loss of their lives men abided + When Loft fell, and Alf fell, and Skofti. + They were four, yonder kinsmen, and fated -- + They were fey -- and I met them, alone!" + +After that Odd went home, but Steinvor was with Bersi, though it +misliked Thordis, his wife. By this time his stone wall was +some-what broken down, but he had it built up again; and it is +said that no blood-money was ever paid for Thorarin and his sons. +So the time went on. + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN +How Vali Fell Before An Old Man And A Boy. + +Once on a day when Thordis and Bersi were talking together, said +he, "I have been thinking I might ask Olaf Peacock for a child of +his to foster." + +"Nay," said she, "I think little of that. It seems to me a great +trouble, and I doubt if folk will reckon more of us for it." + +"It means that I should have a sure friend," answered he. "I +have many foes, and I am growing heavy with age." + +So he went to see Olaf, and asked for a child to foster. Olaf +took it with thanks, and Bersi carried Halldor home with him and +got Steinvor to be nurse. This too misliked Thordis, and she +laid hands on every penny she could get (for fear it should go to +Steinvor and the foster-child). + +At last Bersi took to ageing much. There was one time when men +riding to the Thing stayed at his house. He sat all by himself, +and his food was brought him before the rest were served. He had +porridge while other folk had cheese and curds. Then he made +this verse: -- + + (46) + "To batten the black-feathered wound-bird + With the blade of my axe have I stricken + Full thirty and five of my foemen; + I am famed for the slaughter of warriors. + May the fiends have my soul if I stain not + My sharp-edged falchion once over! + And then let the breaker of broadswords + Be borne -- and with speed -- to the grave!" + +"What?" said Halldor; "hast thou a mind to kill another man, +then?" + +Answered Bersi, "I see the man it would rightly serve!" + +Now Thordis let her brother Vali feed his herds on the land of +Brekka. Bersi bade his house-carles work at home, and have no +dealings with Vali; but still Halldor thought it a hardship that +Bersi had not his own will with his own wealth. One day Bersi +made this verse: -- + + (47) + "Here we lie, + Both on one settle -- + Halldor and I, + Men of no mettle. + Youth ails thee, + But thou'lt win through it; + Age ails me, + And I must rue it!" + +"I do hate Vali," said Halldor; and Bersi answered thus in +verse: -- + + (48) + "Yon Vali, so wight as he would be, + Well wot I our pasture he grazes; + Right fain yonder fierce helmet-wearer + Under foot my dead body would trample! + But often my wrongs have I wreaked + In wrath on the mail-coated warrior -- + On the stems of the sun of the ocean + I have stained the wound-serpent for less!" + +And again he said: -- + + (49) + "With eld I am listless and lamed -- + I, the lord of the gold of the armlet: + I sit, and am still under many + A slight from the warders of spear-meads. + Though shield-bearers shape for the singer + To shiver alone in the grave-mound, + Yet once in the war would I redden + The wand that hews helms ere I fail." + +"Thy heart is not growing old, foster-father mine!" cried +Halldor. + +Upon that Bersi fell into talk with Steinvor, and said to her "I +am laying a plot, and I need thee to help me." + +She said she would if she could. + +"Pick a quarrel," said he, "with Thordis about the milk-kettle, +and do thou hold on to it until you whelm it over between you. +Then I will come in and take her part and give thee nought but +bad words. Then go to Vali and tell him how ill we treat thee." + +Everything turned out as he had planned. She went to Vali and +told him that things were no way smooth for her; would he take +her over the gap (to Bitra to her father's:) and so he did. + +But when he was on the way back again, out came Bersi and Halldor +to meet him. Bersi had a halberd in one hand and a staff in the +other, and Halldor had Whitting. As soon as Vali saw them he +turned and hewed at Bersi. Halldor came at his back and fleshed +Whitting in his hough-sinews. Thereupon he turned sharply and +fell upon Halldor. Then Bersi set the halberd-point betwixt his +shoulders. That was his death-wound. + +Then they set his shield at his feet and his sword at his head, +and spread his cloak over him; and after that got on horseback +and rode to five homesteads to make known the deed they had done +and then rode home. Men went and buried Vali, and the place +where he fell has ever since been called Vali's fall. + +Halldor was twelve winters old when these doings came to pass. + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN +How Steingerd Was Married Again. + +Now there was a man named Thorvald, the son of Eystein, bynamed +the Tinker: he was a wealthy man, a smith, and a skald; but he +was mean-spirited for all that. His brother Thorvard lived in +the north country at Fliot (Fleet); and they had many kinsmen, -- +the Skidings they were called, -- but little luck or liking. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker asked Steingerd to wife. Her folk were +for it, and she said nothing against it; and so she was wed to +him in the very same summer in which she left Bersi. + +When Cormac heard the news he made as though he knew nothing +whatever about the matter; for a little earlier he had taken his +goods aboard ship, meaning to go away with his brother. But one +morning early he rode from the ship and went to see Steingerd; +and when he got talk with her, he asked would she make him a +shirt. To which she answered that he had no business to pay her +visits; neither Thorvald nor his kinsmen would abide it, she +said, but have their revenge. + +Thereupon he made his voice: -- + + (50) + "Nay, think it or thole it I cannot, + That thou, a young fir of the forest + Enwreathed in the gold that thou guardest, + Shouldst be given to a tinkering tinsmith. + Nay, scarce can I smile, O thou glittering + In silk like the goddess of Baldur, + Since thy father handfasted and pledged thee, + So famed as thou art, to a coward." + +"In such words," answered Steingerd, "an ill will is plain to +hear. I shall tell Thorvald of this ribaldry: no man would sit +still under such insults." + +Then sang Cormac: -- + + (51) + "What gain is to get if he threatens, + White goddess in raiment of beauty, + The scorn that the Skidings may bear me? + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme you the roystering caitiffs + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for them if they loosen + The line of their fate that I ravel!" + +Thereupon they parted with no blitheness, and Cormac went to his +ship. + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN +Cormac's Voyage To Norway. + +The two brothers had but left the roadstead, when close beside +their ship, uprose a walrus. Cormac hurled at it a pole-staff, +which struck the beast, so that it sank again: but the men aboard +thought that they knew its eyes for the eyes of Thorveig the +witch. That walrus came up no more, but of Thorveig it was heard +that she lay sick to death; and indeed folk say that this was the +end of her. + +Then they sailed out to sea, and at last came to Norway, where at +that time Hakon, the foster-son of Athelstan, was king. He made +them welcome, and so they stayed there the winter long with all +honour. + +Next summer they set out to the wars, and did many great deeds. +Along with them went a man called Siegfried, a German of good +birth; and they made raids both far and wide. One day as they +were gone up the country eleven men together came against the two +brothers, and set upon them; but this business ended in their +overcoming the whole eleven, and so after a while back to their +ship. The vikings had given them up for lost, and fain were +their folk when they came back with victory and wealth. + +In this voyage the brothers got great renown: and late in the +summer, when winter was coming on, they made up their minds to +steer for Norway. They met with cold winds; the sail was behung +with icicles, but the brothers were always to the fore. It was +on his voyage that Cormac made the song: -- + + (52) + "O shake me yon rime from the awning; + Your singer's a-cold in his berth; + For the hills are all hooded, dear Skardi, + In the hoary white veil of the firth. + There's one they call Wielder of Thunder + I would were as chill and as cold; + But he leaves not the side of his lady + As the lindworm forsakes not its gold." + +"Always talking of her now!" said Thorgils; "and yet thou wouldst +not have her when thou couldst." + +"That was more the fault of witchcraft," answered Cormac, "that +any want of faith in me." + +Not long after they were sailing hard among crags, and shortened +sail in great danger. + +"It is a pity Thorvald Tinker is not with us here!" said Cormac. + +Said Thorgils with a smile, "Most likely he is better off than +we, to-day!" + +But before long they came to land in Norway. + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN +How Cormac Fought In Ireland, And Went Home To Iceland; And How +He Met Steingerd Again. + +While they were abroad there had been a change of kings; Hakon +was dead, and Harald Greyfell reigned in his stead. They offered +friendship to the king, and he took their suit kindly; so they +went with him to Ireland, and fought battles there. + +Once upon a time when they had gone ashore with the king, a great +host came against him, and as the armies met, Cormac made this +song: -- + + (53) + "I dread not a death from the foemen, + Though we dash at them, buckler to buckler, + While our prince in the power of his warriors + Is proud of me foremost in battle. + But the glimpse of a glory comes o'er me + Like the gleam of the moon on the skerry, + And I faint and I fail for my longing, + For the fair one at home in the North." + +"Ye never get into danger," said Thorgils, "but ye think of +Steingerd!" + +"Nay," answered Cormac, "but it's not often I forget her." + +Well: this was a great battle, and king Harald won a glorious +victory. While his men drove the rout before him, the brothers +were shoulder to shoulder; and they fell upon nine men at once +and fought them. And while they were at it, Cormac sang: -- + + (54) + "Fight on, arrow-driver, undaunted, + And down with the foemen of Harald! + What are nine? they are nought! Thou and I, lad, + Are enough; -- they are ours! -- we have won them! + But -- at home, -- in the arms of an outlaw + That all the gods loathe for a monster, + So white and so winsome she nestles + -- Yet once she was loving to me!" + +"It always comes down to that!" said Thorgils. When the fight +was over, the brothers had got the victory, and the nine men had +fallen before them; for which they won great praise from the +king, and many honours beside. + +But while they were ever with the king in his warfarings, +Thorgils was aware that Cormac was used to sleep but little; and +he asked why this might be. This was the song Cormac made in +answer: -- + + (55) + "Surf on a rock-bound shore of the sea-king's blue domain -- + Look how it lashes the crags, hark how it thunders again! + But all the din of the isles that the Delver heaves in foam + In the draught of the undertow glides out to the sea-gods' + home. + Now, which of us two should test? Is it thou, with thy + heart at ease, + Or I that am surf on the shore in the tumult of angry seas? + -- Drawn, if I sleep, to her that shines with the ocean- + gleam, + -- Dashed, when I wake, to woe, for the want of my + glittering dream." + +"And now let me tell you this, brother," he went on. "Hereby I +give out that I am going back to Iceland." + +Said Thorgils, "There is many a snare set for thy feet, brother, +to drag thee down, I know not whither." + +But when the king heard of his longing to begone, he sent for +Cormac, and said that he did unwisely, and would hinder him from +his journey. But all this availed nothing, and aboard ship he +went. + +At the outset they met with foul winds, so that they shipped +great seas, and the yard broke. Then Cormac sang: -- + + (56) + "I take it not ill, like the Tinker + If a trickster had foundered his muck-sled; + For he loves not rough travelling, the losel, + And loath would he be of this uproar. + I flinch not, -- nay, hear it, ye fearless + Who flee not when arrows are raining, -- + Though the steeds of the ocean be storm-bound + And stayed in the harbour of Solund." + +So they pushed out to sea, and hard weather they tholed. Once on +a time when the waves broke over the deck and drenched them all, +Cormac made this song: -- + + (57) + "O the Tinker's a lout and a lubber, + And the life of a sailor he dares not, + When the snow-crested surges caress us + And sweep us away with their kisses, + He bides in a berth that is warmer, + Embraced in the arms of his lady; + And lightly she lulls him to slumber, + -- But long she has reft me of rest!" + +They had a very rough voyage, but landed at last in Midfiord, and +anchored off shore. Looking landward they beheld where a lady +was riding by; and Cormac knew at once that it was Steingerd. He +bade his men launch a boat, and rowed ashore. He went quickly +from the boat, and got a horse, and rode to meet her. When they +met, he leapt from horseback and helped her to alight, making a +seat for her beside him on the ground. + +Their horses wandered away: the day passed on, and it began to +grow dark. At last Steingerd said, "It is time to look for our +horses." + +Little search would be needed, said Cormac; but when he looked +about, they were nowhere in sight. As it happened, they were +hidden in a gill not far from where the two were sitting. + +So, as night was hard at hand, they set out to walk, and came to +a little farm, where they were taken in and treated well, even as +they needed. That night they slept each on either side of the +carven wainscot that parted bed from bed: and Cormac made this +song: -- + + (58) + "We rest, O my beauty, my brightest, + But a barrier lies ever between us. + So fierce are the fates and so mighty + -- I feel it -- that rule to their rede. + Ah, nearer I would be, and nigher, + Till nought should be left to dispart us, + -- The wielder of Skofnung the wonder, + And the wearer of sheen from the deep." + +"It was better thus," said Steingerd: but he sang: -- + + (59) + "We have slept 'neath one roof-tree -- slept softly, + O sweet one, O queen of the mead-horn, + O glory of sea-dazzle gleaming, + These grim hours, -- these five nights, I count them. + And here in the kettle-prow cabined + While the crow's day drags on in the darkness, + How loathly me seems to be lying, + How lonely, -- so near and so far!" + +"That," said she, "is all over and done with; name it no more." +But he sang: -- + + (60) + "The hot stone shall float, -- ay, the hearth-stone + Like a husk of the corn on the water, + -- Ah, woe for the wight that she loves not! -- + And the world, -- ah, she loathes me! -- shall perish, + And the fells that are famed for their hugeness + Shall fail and be drowned in the ocean, + Or ever so gracious a goddess + Shall grow into beauty like Steingerd." + +Then Steingerd cried out that she would not have him make songs +upon her: but he went on: -- + + (61) + "I have known it and noted it clearly, + O neckleted fair one, in visions, + -- Is it doom for my hopes, -- is it daring + To dream? -- O so oft have I seen it! -- + Even this, -- that the boughs of thy beauty, + O braceleted fair one, shall twine them + Round the hill where the hawk loves to settle, + The hand of thy lover, at last." + +"That," said she, "never shall be, if I can help it. Thou didst +let me go, once for all; and there is no more hope for thee." + +So then they slept the night long; and in the morning, when +Cormac was making ready to be gone, he found Steingerd, and took +the ring off his finger to give her. + +"Fiend take thee and thy gold together!" she cried. And this is +what he answered: -- + + (62) + "To a dame in her broideries dainty + This drift of the furnace I tendered; + O day of ill luck, for a lover + So lured, and so heartlessly cheated! + Too blithe in the pride of her beauty -- + The bliss that I crave she denies me; + So rich that no boon can I render, + -- And my ring she would hurl to the fiends!" + +So Cormac rode forth, being somewhat angry with Steingerd, but +still more so with the Tinker. He rode home to Mel, and stayed +there all the winter, taking lodgings for his chapmen near the +ship. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY +Of A Spiteful Song That Cormac Never Made; And How Angry +Steingerd Was. + +Now Thorvald the Tinker lived in the north-country at Svinadal +(Swindale), but his brother Thorvard at Fliot. In the winter +Cormac took his way northward to see Steingerd; and coming to +Svinadal he dismounted and went into the chamber. She was +sitting on the dais, and he took his seat beside her; Thorvald +sat on the bench, and Narfi by him. + +Then said Narfi to Thorvald, "How canst thou sit down, with +Cormac here? It is no time, this, for sitting still!" + +But Thorvald answered, "I am content; there is no harm done it +seems to me, though they do talk together." + +"That is ill," said Narfi. + +Not long afterwards Thorvald met his brother Thorvard and told +him about Cormac's coming to his house. + +"Is it right, think you," said Thorvard, "to sit still while such +things happen?" + +He answered that there was no harm done as yet, but that Cormac's +coming pleased him not. + +"I'll mend that," cried Thorvard, "if you dare not. The shame of +it touches us all." + +So this was the next thing, -- that Thorvard came to Svinadal, +and the Skiding brothers and Narfi paid a gangrel beggar-man to +sing a song in the hearing of Steingerd, and to say that Cormac +had made it, -- which was a lie. They said that Cormac had +taught this song to one called Eylaug, a kinswoman of his; and +these were the words: -- + + (63) + "I wish an old witch that I know of, + So wealthy and proud of her havings, + Were turned to a steed in the stable + -- Called Steingerd -- and I were the rider! + I'd bit her, and bridle, and saddle, + I'd back her and drive her and tame her; + So many she owns for her masters, + But mine she will never become!" + +Then Steingerd grew exceedingly angry, so that she would not so +much as hear Cormac named. When he heard that, he went to see +her. Long time he tried in vain to get speech with her; but at +last she gave this answer, -- that she misliked his holding her +up to shame, -- "And now it is all over the country-side!" + +Cormac said it was not true; but she answered, "Thou mightest +flatly deny it, if I had not heard it." + +"Who sang it in thy hearing?" asked he. + +She told him who sang it, -- "And thou needest not hope for +speech with me if this prove true." + +He rode away to look for the rascal, and when he found him the +truth was forced out at last. Cormac was very angry, and set on +Narfi and slew him. That same onset was meant for Thorvald, but +he hid himself in the shadow and skulked, until men came between +then and parted them. Said Cormac: -- + + (64) + "There, hide in the house like a coward, + And hope not hereafter to scare me + With the scorn of thy brethren the Skidings, -- + I'll set them a weft for their weaving! + I'll rhyme on the swaggering rascals + Till rocks go afloat on the water; + And lucky for you if ye loosen + The line of your fate that I ravel!" + +This went all over the country-side and the feud grew fiercer +between them. The brothers Thorvald and Thorvard used big words, +and Cormac was wroth when he heard them. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE +How Thorvard Would Not Fight, But Tried To Get The Law Of Cormac. + +After this Thorvard sent word from Fliot that he was fain to +fight Cormac, and he fixed time and place, saying that he would +now take revenge for that song of shame and all other slights. + +To this Cormac agreed; and when the day came he went to the spot +that was named, but Thorvard was not there, nor any of his men. +Cormac met a woman from the farm hard by, who greeted him, and +they asked each other for news. + +"What is your errand?" said she; "and why are you waiting here?" + +Then he answered with this song: -- + + (65) + "Too slow for the struggle I find him, + That spender of fire from the ocean, + Who flung me a challenge to fight him + From Fleet in the land of the North. + That half-witted hero should get him + A heart made of clay for his carcase, + Though the mate of the may with the necklace + Is more of a fool than his fere!" + +"Now," said Cormac, "I bid Thorvard anew to the holmgang, if he +can be called in his right mind. Let him be every man's nithing +if he come not!" and then he made this song: -- + + (66) + "The nithing shall silence me never, + Though now for their shame they attack me, + But the wit of the Skald is my weapon, + And the wine of the gods will uphold me. + And this they shall feel in its fulness; + Here my fame has its birth and beginning; + And the stout spears of battle shall see it, + If I 'scape from their hands with my life." + +Then the brothers set on foot a law-suit against him for libel. +Cormac's kinsmen backed him up to answer it, and he would let no +terms be made, saying that they deserved the shame put upon them, +and no honour; he was not unready to meet them, unless they +played him false. Thorvard had not come to the holmgang when he +had been challenged, and therefore the shame had fallen of itself +upon him and his, and they must put up with it. + +So time passed until the Huna-water Thing. Thorvard and Cormac +both went to the meeting, and once they came together. + +"Much enmity we owe thee," said Thorvard, "and in many ways. Now +therefore I challenge thee to the holmgang, here at the Thing." + +Said Cormac, "Wilt thou be fitter than before? Thou hast drawn +back time after time." + +"Nevertheless," said Thorvard, "I will risk it. We can abide thy +spite no longer." + +"Well," said Cormac, "I'll not stand in the way;" and went home +to Mel. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO +What The Witch Did For Them In Their Fights. + +At Spakonufell (Spae-wife's-fell) lived Thordis the spae-wife, of +whom we have told before, with her husband Thorolf. They were +both at the Thing, and many a man thought her good-will was of +much avail. So Thorvard sought her out, to ask her help against +Cormac, and gave her a fee; and she made him ready for the +holmgang according to her craft. + +Now Cormac told his mother what was forward, and she asked if he +thought good would come of it. + +"Why not?" said he. + +"That will not be enough for thee," said Dalla. "Thorvard will +never make bold to fight without witchcraft to help him. I think +it wise for thee to see Thordis the spae-wife, for there is going +to be foul play in this affair." + +"It is little to my mind," said he; and yet went to see Thordis, +and asked her help. + +"Too late ye have come," said she. "No weapon will bite on him +now. And yet I would not refuse thee. Bide here to-night, and +seek thy good luck. Anyway, I can manage so that iron bite thee +no more than him." + +So Cormac stayed there for the night; and, awaking, found that +some one was groping round the coverlet at his head. "Who is +there?" he asked, but whoever it was made off, and out at the +house-door, and Cormac after. And then he saw it was Thordis, +and she was going to the place where the fight was to be, +carrying a goose under her arm. + +He asked what it all meant, and she set down the goose, saying, +"Why couldn't ye keep quiet?" + +So he lay down again, but held himself awake, for he wanted to +know what she would be doing. Three times she came, and every +time he tried to find out what she was after. The third time, +just as he came out, she had killed two geese and let the blood +run into a bowl, and she had taken up the third goose to kill it. + +"What means this business, foster-mother?" said he. + +"True it will prove, Cormac, that you are a hard one to help," +said she. "I was going to break the spell Thorveig laid on thee +and Steingerd. Ye could have loved one another been happy if I +had killed the third goose and no one seen it." + +"I believe nought of such things," cried he; and this song he +made about it: -- + + (67) + "I gave her an ore at the ayre, + That the arts of my foe should not prosper; + And twice she has taken the knife, + And twice she has offered the offering; + But the blood is the blood of a goose -- + What boots it if two should be slaughtered? -- + Never sacrifice geese for a Skald + Who sings for the glory of Odin!" + +So they went to the holmgang: but Thorvald gave the spae-wife a +still greater fee, and offered the sacrifice of geese; and Cormac +said: -- + + (68) + "Trust never another man's mistress! + For I know, on this woman who weareth + The fire of the field of the sea-king + The fiends have been riding to revel. + The witch with her hoarse cry is working + For woe when we go to the holmgang, + And if bale be the end of the battle + The blame, be assured, will be hers." + +"Well," she said, "I can manage so that none shall know thee." +Then Cormac began to upbraid her, saying she did nought but ill, +and wanting to drag her out to the door to look at her eyes in +the sunshine. His brother Thorgils made him leave that: -- "What +good will it do thee?" said he. + +Now Steingerd gave out that she had a mind to see the fight; and +so she did. When Cormac saw her he made this song: -- + + (69) + "I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the wimple! + And twice for thy sake have I striven; + What stays me as now from thy favour? + This twice have I gotten thee glory, + O goddess of ocean! and surely + To my dainty delight, to my darling + I am dearer by far than her mate." + +So then they set to. Cormac's sword bit not at all, and for a +long while they smote strokes one upon the other, but neither +sword bit. At last Cormac smote upon Thorvard's side so great a +blow that his ribs gave way and were broken; he could fight no +more, and thereupon they parted. Cormac looked and saw where a +bull was standing, which he slew for a sacrifice; and being +heated, he doffed his helmet from his head, saying this song: -- + + (70) + "I have fared to the field of the battle, + O fair one that wearest the bracelet! + Even three times for thee have I striven, + And this thou canst never deny me. + But the reed of the fight would not redden, + Though it rang on the shield-bearer's harness; + For the spells of a spae-wife had blunted + My sword that was eager for blood." + +He wiped the sweat from him on the corner of Steingerd's mantle; +and said: -- + + (71) + "So oft, being wounded and weary, + I must wipe my sad brow on thy mantle. + What pangs for thy sake are my portion, + O pine-tree with red gold enwreathed! + Yet beside thee he snugs on the settle + As thou seamest thy broidery, -- that rhymester! + And the shame of it whelms me in sorrow, + O Steingerd! -- that rascal unslain!" + +And then Cormac prayed Steingerd that she would go with him: but +Nay, she said; she would have her own way about men. So they +parted, and both were ill pleased. + +Thorvard was taken home, and she bound his wounds. Cormac was +now always meeting with Steingerd. Thorvard healed but slowly; +and when he could get on his feet he went to see Thordis, and +asked her what was best to help his healing. + +"A hill there is," answered she, "not far away from here, where +elves have their haunt. Now get you the bull that Cormac killed, +and redden the outer side of the hill with its blood, and make a +feast for the elves with its flesh. Then thou wilt be healed." + +So they sent word to Cormac that they would buy the bull. He +answered that he would sell it, but then he must have the ring +that was Steingerd's. So they brought the ring, took the bull, +and did with it as Thordis bade them do. On which Cormac made a +song: -- + + (72) + "When the workers of wounds are returning, + And with them the sacrifice reddened, + Then a lady in raiment of linen, + Who loved me, time was, -- she will ask: -- + My ring, -- have ye robbed me? -- where is it? + -- I have wrought them no little displeasure: + For the swain that is swarthy has won it, + The son of old Ogmund, the skald." + +It fell out as he guessed. Steingerd was very angry because they +had sold her ring. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE +How Cormac Beat Thorvard Again. + +After that, Thorvard was soon healed, and when he thought he was +strong again, he rode to Mel and challenged Cormac to the +holmgang. + +"It takes thee long to tire of it," said Cormac: "but I'll not +say thee nay." + +So they went to the fight, and Thordis met Thorvard now as +before, but Cormac sought no help from her. She blunted Cormac's +sword, so that it would not bite, but yet he struck so great a +stroke on Thorvard's shoulder that the collarbone was broken and +his hand was good for nothing. Being so maimed he could fight no +longer, and had to pay another ring for his ransom. + +Then Thorolf of Spakonufell set upon Cormac and struck at him. +He warded off the blow and sang this song: -- + + (73) + "This reddener of shields, feebly wrathful, + His rusty old sword waved against me, + Who am singer and sacred to Odin! + Go, snuffle, most wretched of men, thou! + A thrust of thy sword is as thewless + As thou, silly stirrer of battle. + What danger to me from thy daring, + Thou doited old witch-woman's carle?" + +Then he killed a bull in sacrifice according to use and wont, +saying, "Ill we brook your overbearing and the witchcraft of +Thordis:" and he made this song: -- + + (74) + "The witch in the wave of the offering + Has wasted the flame of the buckler, + Lest its bite on his back should be deadly + At the bringing together of weapons. + My sword was not sharp for the onset + When I sought the helm-wearer in battle; + But the cur got enough to cry craven, + With a clout that will mind him of me!" + +After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased +with these doings. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR +How They All Went Out To Norway. + +Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in +Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the +brothers made up their minds for the voyage. When they were +ready to start, Cormac went to see Steingerd: and before they two +parted he kissed her twice, and his kisses were not at all hasty. +The Tinker would not have it; and so friends on both sides came +in, and it was settled that Cormac should pay for this that he +had done. + +"How much?" asked he. + +"The two rings that I parted with," said Thorvard. Then Cormac +made a song: -- + + (75) + "Here is gold of the other's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one, -- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses, -- + For the dream of my bliss is betrayed." + +And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another +song: -- + + (76) + "One song from my heart would I send her + Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her, + That dainty one, decked in her jewels + Who dwells in the valley of Swindale. + And each word that I utter shall enter + The ears of that lady of bounty, + Saying -- Bright one, my beauty, I love thee, + Ah, better by far than my life!" + +So Cormac went abroad and his brother Thorgils went with him; and +when they came to the king's court they were made welcome. + +Now it is told that Steingerd spoke to Thorvald the Tinker that +they also should abroad together. He answered that it was mere +folly, but nevertheless he could not deny her. So they set off +on their voyage: and as they made their way across the sea, they +were attacked by vikings who fell on them to rob them and to +carry away Steingerd. But it so happened that Cormac heard of +it; and he made after them and gave good help, so that they saved +everything that belonged to them, and came safely at last to the +court of the king of Norway. + +One day Cormac was walking in the street, and spied Steingerd +sitting within doors. So he went into the house and sat down +beside her, and they had a talk together which ended in his +kissing her four kisses. But Thorvald was on the watch. He drew +his sword, but the women-folk rushed in to part them, and word +was sent to King Harald. He said they were very troublesome +people to keep in order. -- "But let me settle this matter +between you," said he; and they agreed. + +Then spake the king: -- "One kiss shall be atoned for by this, +that Cormac helped you to get safely to land. The next kiss is +Cormac's, because he saved Steingerd. For the other two he shall +pay two ounces of gold." + +Upon which Cormac sang the same song that he had made before: -- + + (77) + "Here is gold of the otter's well gleaming + In guerdon for this one and that one, -- + Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake + In fee for the kiss of my lady. + Never wearer of ring, never wielder + Of weapon has made such atonement; + Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses -- + And the dream of my bliss is betrayed." + +Another day he was walking in the street and met Steingerd again. +He turned to her and prayed her to walk with him. She would not; +whereupon he laid hand on her, to lead her along. She cried out +for help; and as it happened, the king was standing not far off, +and went up to them. He thought this behaviour most unseemly, +and took her away, speaking sharply to Cormac. King Harald made +himself very angry over this affair; but Cormac was one of his +courtiers, and it was not long before he got into favour again, +and then things went fair and softly for the rest of the winter. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE +How They Cruised With The King's Fleet, And Quarrelled, And Made +It Up. + +In the following spring King Harald set forth to the land of +Permia with a great host. Cormac was one of the captains in that +warfaring, and in another ship was Thorvald: the other captains +of ships are not named in our story. + +Now as they were all sailing in close order through a narrow +sound, Cormac swung his steering-oar and hit Thorvald a clout on +the ear, so that he fell from his place at the helm in a swoon; +and Cormac's ship hove to, when she lost her rudder. Steingerd +had been sitting beside Thorvald; she laid hold of the tiller, +and ran Cormac down. When he saw what she was doing, he sang: -- + + (78) + "There is one that is nearer and nigher + To the noblest of dames than her lover: + With the haft of the helm is he smitten + On the hat-block -- and fairly amidships! + The false heir of Eystein -- he falters -- + He falls in the poop of his galley! + Nay! steer not upon me, O Steingerd, + Though stoutly ye carry the day!" + +So Cormac's ship capsized under him; but his crew were saved +without loss of time, for there were plenty of people round +about. Thorvald soon came round again, and they all went on +their way. The king offered to settle the matter between them; +and when they both agreed, he gave judgment that Thorvald's hurt +was atoned for by Cormac's upset. + +In the evening they went ashore; and the king and his men sat +down to supper. Cormac was sitting outside the door of a tent, +drinking out of the same cup with Steingerd. While they were +busy at it, a young fellow for mere sport and mockery stole the +brooch out of Cormac's fur cloak, which he had doffed and laid +aside; and when he came to take his cloak again, the brooch was +gone. He sprang up and rushed after the young fellow, with the +spear that he called Vigr (the spear) and shot at him, but +missed. This was the song he made about it: -- + + (79) + "The youngster has pilfered my pin, + As I pledged the gay dame in the beaker; + And now must we brawl for a brooch + Like boys when they wrangle and tussle. + Right well have I shafted my spear, + Though I shot nothing more than the gravel: + But sure, if I missed at my man, + The moss has been prettily slaughtered!" + +After this they went on their way to the land of Permia, and +after that they went home again to Norway. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX +How Cormac Saved Steingerd Once More From Pirates; And How They +Parted For Good And All. + +Thorvald the Tinker fitted out his ship for a cruise to Denmark, +and Steingerd sailed with him. A little afterwards the brothers +set out on the same voyage, and late one evening they made the +Brenneyjar. + +There they saw Thorvald's ship riding, and found him aboard with +part of his crew; but they had been robbed of all their goods, +and Steingerd had been carried off by Vikings. Now the leader of +those Vikings was Thorstein, the son of that Asmund Ashenside, +the old enemy of Ogmund, the father of Cormac and Thorgils. + +So Thorvald and Cormac met, and Cormac asked how came it that his +voyage had been so unlucky. + +"Things have not turned out for the best, indeed," said he. + +"What is the matter?" asked Cormac. "Is Steingerd missing?" + +"She is gone," said Thorvald, "and all our goods." + +"Why don't you go after her?" asked Cormac. + +"We are not strong enough," said Thorvald. + +"Do you mean to say you can't?" said Cormac. + +"We have not the means to fight Thorstein," said Thorvald. "But +if thou hast, go in and fight for thy own hand." + +"I will," said Cormac. + +So at nightfall the brothers went in a boat and rowed to the +Viking fleet, and boarded Thorstein's ship. Steingerd was in the +cabin on the poop; she had been allotted to one of the Vikings; +but most of the crew were ashore round the cooking-fires. Cormac +got the story out of the men who were cooking, and they told all +the brothers wanted to know. They clambered on board by the +ladder; Thorgils dragged the bridegroom out to the gunwale, and +Cormac cut him down then and there. Then he dived into the sea +with Steingerd and swam ashore; but when he was nearing the land +a swarm of eels twisted round his hands and feet, so that he was +dragged under. On which he made this song: -- + + (80) + "They came at me yonder in crowds, + O kemp of the shield-serpents' wrangle! + When I fared on my way through the flood, + That flock of the wights of the water. + And ne'er to the gate of the gods + Had I got me, if there had I perished; + Yet once and again have I won, + Little woman, thy safety in peril!" + +So he swam ashore and brought Steingerd back to her husband. + +Thorvald bade Steingerd to go, at last, along with Cormac, for he +had fairly won her, and manfully. That was what he, too, +desired, said Cormac; but "Nay," said Steingerd, "she would not +change knives." + +"Well," said Cormac, "it was plain that this was not to be. Evil +beings," he said, "ill luck, had parted them long ago." And he +made this song: -- + + (81) + "Nay, count not the comfort had brought me, + Fair queen of the ring, thy embrace! + Go, mate with the man of thy choosing, + Scant mirth will he get of thy grace! + Be dearer henceforth to thy dastard, + False dame of the coif, than to me; -- + I have spoken the word; I have sung it; -- + I have said my last farewell to thee." + +And so he bade her begone with her husband. + + +CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN +The Swan-Songs of Cormac. + +After these things the brothers turned back to Norway, and +Thorvald the Tinker made his way to Iceland. But the brothers +went warfaring round about Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland, +and they were reckoned to be the most famous of men. It was they +who first built the castle of Scarborough; they made raids into +Scotland, and achieved many great feats, and led a mighty host; +and in all that host none was like Cormac in strength and +courage. + +Once upon a time, after a battle, Cormac was driving the flying +foe before him while the rest of his host had gone back aboard +ship. Out of the woods there rushed against him one as monstrous +big as an idol -- a Scot; and a fierce struggle began. Cormac +felt for his sword, but it had slipped out of the sheath; he was +over-matched, for the giant was possessed; but yet he reached +out, caught his sword, and struck the giant his death-blow. Then +the giant cast his hands about Cormac, and gripped his sides so +hard that the ribs cracked, and he fell over, and the dead giant +on top of him, so that he could not stir. Far and wide his folk +were looking for him, but at last they found him and carried him +aboard ship. Then he made this song: -- + + (82) + "When my manhood was matched in embraces + With the might of yon horror, the strangler, + Far other I found it than folding + That fair one ye know in my arms! + On the high-seat of heroes with Odin + From the horn of the gods I were drinking + O'er soon -- let me speak it to warriors -- + If Skrymir had failed of his aid." + +Then his wounds were looked to; they found that his ribs were +broken on both sides. He said it was no use trying to heal him, +and lay there in his wounds for a time, while his men grieved +that he should have been so unwary of his life. + +He answered them in song: -- + + (83) + "Of yore never once did I ween it, + When I wielded the cleaver of targets, + That sickness was fated to foil me -- + A fighter so hardy as I. + But I shrink not, for others must share it, + Stout shafts of the spear though they deem them, + -- O hard at my heart is the death-pang, -- + Thus hopeless the bravest may die." + +And this song also: -- + + (84) + "He came not with me in the morning, + Thy mate, O thou fairest of women, + When we reddened for booty the broadsword, + So brave to the hand-grip, in Ireland: + When the sword from its scabbard was loosened + And sang round my cheeks in the battle + For the feast of the Fury, and blood-drops + Fell hot on the neb of the raven." + +And then he began to fail. + +This was his last song: -- + + (85) + "There was dew from the wound smitten deeply + That drained from the stroke of the sword-edge; + There was red on the weapon I wielded + In the war with the glorious and gallant: + Yet not where the broadsword, -- the blood wand, -- + Was borne by the lords of the falchion, + But low in the straw like a laggard, + O my lady, dishonoured I die!" + +He said that his will was to give Thorgils his brother all he +had, -- the goods he owned and the host he led; for he would like +best, he said, that his brother should have the use of them. + +So then Cormac died. Thorgils became captain over the host, and +was long time in viking. + +And so ends the story. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Life and Death of Cormac the Skald + + diff --git a/old/cormc10.zip b/old/cormc10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf0c701 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/cormc10.zip |