Evil now, now good it bears;

Doubtful play-board have I shown

Unto these men, who have grown

Doubtful of their given word;

Hafr's big noise goes overboard."

Then said Tongue-stein, "Thinkest thou that, Grettir? Knowest thou then what the chiefs will make their minds up to? but true it is thou art a man above all others for thy great heart's sake: yea, but dost thou not see how they rub their noses one against the other?"

Then Grettir sang a stave—

"Raisers-up of roof of war,

Nose to nose in counsel are;

Wakeners of the shield-rain sit