Unto life shall I hold still."

Now they ride at their swiftest west over the heath and forth by the homestead at Garth, before ever Thorir came from the wilderness with his band; and when they drew nigh to the homestead a man fell in with them who knew them not.

Then saw they how a woman, young and grand of attire, stood without, so Grettir asked who that woman would be. The new-comer said that she was Thorir's daughter. Then Grettir sang this stave—

"O wise sun of golden stall,

When thy sire comes back to hall,

Thou mayst tell him without sin

This, though little lies therein,

[190]

That thou saw'st me ride hereby,

With but two in company,