“Not a bit, were it mirk,” said Dyrë.

Full soon, they tell, it did befal

That in the merry Yule-tide,

When cups went round, and beards wagg’d all,

And the ale was briskly plied:

All in a trice the mirth grew still:

Hark! what a sound came from the hill,

As a hundred steers lowed near ye.

“Well, now its right mirk,” quoth Dyrë.

Then straightway he hied to Totak-vand,