From my many waylayers,

While might was, and my good day,

Often did I snatch away;

Now a hag, whose life outworn

Wicked craft and ill hath borne,

[233]

Meet for death lives long enow,

Grettir's might to overthrow."[[18]]

"Now must we take good heed to ourselves," said Grettir, "for Thorbiorn Angle must be minded that this hap shall not go alone; and I will, Noise, that thou watch the ladders every day from this time forth, but pull them up in the evening, and see thou do it well and truly, even as though much lay thereon, but if thou bewrayest us, short will be thy road to ill."

So Noise promised great things concerning this. Now the weather grew harder, and a north-east wind came on with great cold: every night Grettir asked if the ladders were drawn up.