"Reaver of rich river-treasure,
Plundered will our purses be,
Though to-day we wound no other
Warriors wight in play of spears
Aye, if I for all these sailors
Lowly lying, fines must pay —
This is why I hold my hand,
Hearken, brother dear, to me."
"Our purses will be emptied," says Gunnar, "by the time that these are atoned for who now lie here dead."
"Thou wilt never lack money," says Kolskegg; "but Thorgeir will never leave off before he compasses thy death."
Gunnar sang another song:
"Lord of water-skates (1) that skim
Sea-king's fields, more good as he,
Shedding wounds' red stream, must stand
In my way ere I shall wince.
I, the golden armlets' warder,
Snakelike twined around my wrist,
Ne'er shall shun a foeman's faulchion
Flashing bright in din of fight."
"He, and a few more as good as he," says Gunnar, "must stand in my path ere I am afraid of them."
After that they ride home and tell the tidings. Hallgerda was well pleased to hear them, and praised the deed much.
Rannveig said, "May be the deed is good; but somehow," she says,
"I feel too downcast about it to think that good can come of it."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Water-skates," a periphrasis for ships.