Small joy now shall have therein,

Seeking dragon's-lair to win."

Thorfinn answered, "Blood will seldom seem blood to thine eyes; no man before thee has had will to break open the barrow; but, because I know that what wealth soever is hid in earth or borne into barrow is wrongly placed, I shall not hold thee blameworthy for thy deed as thou hast brought it all to me; yea, or whence didst thou get the good sword?"

Grettir answered and sang—

"Lessener of waves flashing flame,

To my lucky hand this came

[50]

In the barrow where that thing

Through the dark fell clattering;

If that helm-fire I should gain,