’Tis no matter of yours, and man cannot do it,

But me and me only, to measure his strength with

The monster of malice, might-deeds to ’complish.

I with prowess shall gain the gold, or the battle,

Direful death-woe will drag off your ruler!”

The mighty champion rose by his shield then,

Brave under helmet, in battle-mail went he

’Neath steep-rising stone-cliffs, the strength he relied on

Of one man alone: no work for a coward.

Then he saw by the wall who a great many battles