THOROLF. Then would Jokul, thy father, find a low place indeed; for
he fell before Ornulf.
(The following dispute is carried on, by both parties, with rising
and yet repressed irritation.)
HIORDIS. That shalt thou never say! Ornulf is a skald, and men whisper that he has praised himself for greater deeds than he has done.
THOROLF. Then woe to him who whispers so loudly that it comes to my ear!
HIORDIS (with a smile of provocation). Wouldst thou avenge it?
THOROLF. Ay, so that my vengeance should be told of far and wide.
HIORDIS. Then here I pledge a cup to this, that thou may'st first have a beard on thy chin.
THOROLF. Even a beardless lad is too good to wrangle with women.
HIORDIS. But too weak to fight with men; therefore thy father let thee lie by the hearth at home in Iceland, whilst thy brothers went a-viking.
THOROLF. It had been well had he kept as good an eye on thee; for then hadst thou not left Iceland a dishonoured woman.