Strips of the raw hide, dry, all ridged with wrinkles were they.

Then unto the hero the giant with arrogant words ’gan say:

‘Whichsoever thou wilt, lo, freely and willingly grant I to thee,

Without casting of lots, that thou mayst not hereafter murmur at me.

Now bind them about thine hands: thou shalt learn, and to others shall tell

How featly I carve the tough bull-hides, how passing well

I wield them withal, to bedabble with blood the jaws of men.’

He spake, but the hero scorned with wrangling to answer again: {60}

And he made no ado, but the pair lying nighest his feet, the same

Lightly smiling he took. Then unto him Kastor came,