Angantheow’s daughter, Herwor (by his wife Tofa) is brought up as a bond-maid, in ignorance of her parentage. When at last she learns it, the war-fury comes upon her; she arms herself as an Amazon, and goes to Munarvoe in Samsey, in quest of the dwarf-doomed weapon. The following poem concerns her dialogue with her dead father, his yielding up to her of Tyrfing, and his prophecy of the further doom its possession will bring upon her race.
The maid at eve in Munarvoe
Saw the herdsman homeward go.
Shepherd:
Who walketh alone so late i’ the isle?
Go seek thee shelter and sleep awhile
Herwor:
I seek not shelter to sleep awhile,
For I know not the dwellers in the isle;
Tell me, thou, what fain I’d know—
Where is the mound called Hiorward’s Howe?
Shepherd:
Mad thou art, that askest thus,
And thy plight is piteous!
Fly we to shelter, far and fast—
The world without is grim and ghast.
Herwor:
I’ll give thee a neck-ring of gold so red—
Not thus is the friend of heroes stayed!