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“The witch in the wave of the offering
Has wasted the flame of the buckler,
Lest its bite on his back should be deadly
At the bringing together of weapons.
My sword was not sharp for the onset
When I sought the helm-wearer in battle;
But the cur got enough to cry craven,
With a clout that will mind him of me!”
After that each party went home, and neither was well pleased with these doings.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. How They All Went Out To Norway.
Now all the winter long Cormac and Thorgils laid up their ship in Hrutafiord; but in spring the chapmen were off to sea, and so the brothers made up their minds for the voyage. When they were ready to start, Cormac went to see Steingerd: and before they two parted he kissed her twice, and his kisses were not at all hasty. The Tinker would not have it; and so friends on both sides came in, and it was settled that Cormac should pay for this that he had done.
“How much?” asked he.
“The two rings that I parted with,” said Thorvard. Then Cormac made a song:—
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“Here is gold of the other's well gleaming
In guerdon for this one and that one,—
Here is treasure of Fafnir the fire-drake
In fee for the kiss of my lady.
Never wearer of ring, never wielder
Of weapon has made such atonement;
Never dearer were deeply-drawn kisses,—
For the dream of my bliss is betrayed.”
And then, when he started to go aboard his ship he made another song:—
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“One song from my heart would I send her
Ere we shall, ere I leave her and lose her,
That dainty one, decked in her jewels
Who dwells in the valley of Swindale.
And each word that I utter shall enter
The ears of that lady of bounty,
Saying—Bright one, my beauty, I love thee,
Ah, better by far than my life!”